Myrrh resin from Rari Buul

Composition: 100% pure resin collected in the wild, hand-sorted and cleaned; no added chemicals

Source: This myrrh resin has been harvested near Rari Buul, Saahil region of Somaliland, by Said Awad Araale. It was then sorted, cleaned and packed by the women of the Beeyo Maal cooperative in Bur’o, and flown to Europe.

Instructions for use: light a charcoal. Wait a few minutes until most of it is grey with ash; then place the resin siftings on the charcoal. Use your hand to waft the smoke towards your face and breathe it in. Sit back and enjoy for 20-30 minutes, replenishing when the resin has melted. A better alternative is to use an electric resin warmer with an adjustable thermostat, and slowly heat the resin. This will release the active agents, including the prized neuro-active incensole, while minimizing the pollution of your airways through charcoal smoke. 

Why burn resins? This resin contains the same molecules as Myrrh essential oil but also bio- and psycho-active incensoles and commiphoric acids, providing a wider scope of benefits. From a ritual perspective, humans have inhaled burnt resins for thousands of years, connecting you to this collective experience. The inconvenience is that the smoke from both the charcoal and the resin contains some unwelcome substances. Continuous direct inhalation is therefore not recommended, but occasional use will cause no harm. Beware: the smoke can trigger a smoke detector.

Benefits: Myrrh resin has the following therapeutic properties according to tradition, confirmed by modern research :

• Antimicrobial: Studies confirm effectiveness against various bacteria, fungi, and parasites. This supports traditional use for wound healing and oral infections.
• Anti-inflammatory: Through pathways different from frankincense, myrrh demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects in preliminary research.
• Astringent Properties: The tightening effect on tissues makes myrrh valuable for oral health applications—it’s found in some natural toothpastes and mouthwashes.
• Wound Healing: Both traditional use and modern investigation suggest myrrh promotes tissue repair and may reduce scarring.

Myrrh resin, especially when fresh, can be applied directly in a dental cavity; it has a powerful healing function, fighting the root cause (e.g. root canal infection), not only the symptoms. Being slightly analgesic, myrrh also reduces pain.

Storage and shelf-life: This myrrh resin is packed in an aluminium can with a screw lid. It has no date of expiry

Fair trade: We pay what the members of the cooperative think is a fair price. In addition, 10% of the listed price (excl VAT) is donated to the Beeyo Maal foundation to improve working conditions among harvesting communities and the regeneration of frankincense forests. See our page on conservation and trade issues. Another 10% is invested in the activities of Arawelo, which seeks to establish a new model for trade in products collected in the wild by indigenous communities worldwide by building short supply lines to consumers while facilitating research and advocacy.

Aromatic profile: smoky, woody depth reminiscent of a sacred grove, sandalwood, earthy mushroom, and coriander spice.

Notes by our lead researcher: In ancient Egypt, myrrh was associated with the goddess Hathor, who symbolized love, pleasure and fun; these female musicians are revelling in her honour.

Plutarch, in “Isis and Osiris”, written around 100-120 CE, describes the daily incense burning ritual in Egyptian temples:

Egyptian priests burned incense three times daily: frankincense at dawn, myrrh at midday, and kyphi at dusk