Myrrh has been used as a perfume for 3700 years, making it the oldest known perfume in the world. Egyptians used myrrh resin to embalm mummies and, in addition, myrrh has also been used in the past for cleaning teeth and had many medicinal uses. Myrrh has antibacterial, antifungal and antiparisitic properties, so its uses were very broad. Today, myrrh is mainly used for its aromatic properties in perfumes and soaps, but also as a flavour enhancer in foods.
Myrrh is a gum resin and comes from the bark of a tree native to the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa. The tree is well adapted to the dry conditions of these regions, including its small leaves to reduce evaporation and large spines to ward off thirsty herbivores. It is a relatively small tree with a maximum height of 4 metres and the trunk takes on a beautiful, flaked bark. The underbark is green to brown and from that layer can ooze sap that solidifies into the gum resin.
The species can be kept as a container or houseplant at a minimum temperature of 10degC. Provide a well-drained soil with sand and a sunny location.
Sowing description: Sow the seeds in a mix of sand and sowing soil (1:1) at 25-30degC. Cover with foil or glass to keep the soil constantly moist and set in a light position. Germination usually within a few weeks.
