Supports skin health and helps heal sores, fights infections, it is a powerful antidepressant, combats pain, swelling and reduces joint pain and kills harmful bacteria are some of the health benefits of myrrh oil during pregnancy.
Myrrh is an excellent essential oil that offers a lot of nutritional benefits. Myrrh essential oil comes from resin. It is one of the most popular oils when it comes to aromatherapy as it has a unique scent and offers a ton of different benefits. It also has a host of medicinal uses, which makes it fairly well known in the herbal medicine scene as well. Myrrh oil can be used in combination with a variety of other oils, such as lavender or patchouli, and this can be really helpful for your mental and physical health. The many benefits include:
Top 11 Health Benefits of Myrrh oil for Pregnancy
Supports Skin Health and Helps Heal Sores
It is good for your skin and can help to make spots and scars disappear. It can also take care of ringworm in the body and is a good remedy for skin problems like eczema. Myrrh’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, healing, and antiseptic properties help to heal wounds and sores. The oil may also deter the growth of skin fungi, including ringworm and athlete’s foot, and can prevent infection and sepsis, as well as the threat of tetanus.
Fights Infections
Myrrh essential oil is known for fighting viruses and can therefore prevent viral infections from spreading and even occurring in the first place. Therefore, it is very good for viral colds and coughs and can help you heal quickly. Myrrh essential oil also works as a fungicide. This means that it can fight and prevent fungal infections as well and works well on both, internal and external infections on your body.
A Powerful Antidepressant
Myrrh essential oil works as a sedative on many levels. Not only can it sedate the tension in your muscles and nerves and prevent cramps and spasms, but it can also sedate your mind, leading to a sense of calmness. Therefore, it is an extremely good remedy for stress, anxiety, and depression, and even works on people who have been through traumatic situations and are having trouble getting out of that.
Combats Pain, Swelling and Reduces Joint Pain
Pain — such as headaches, joint pain and back pain — is a common complaint. Myrrh oil contains plant compounds that may temporarily relieve pain by signalling your brain that you’re not in pain. It may also block your body’s production of inflammatory chemicals that lead to swelling and pain. Myrrh oil contains compounds that interact with opioid receptors and tell your brain you’re not in pain. Myrrh also blocks the production of inflammatory chemicals that can lead to swelling and pain.
Kills Harmful Bacteria
One of the major advantages of using Myrrh oil is that it prevents harmful microbes from developing in your body, thereby protecting you from a host of microbial infections. It can protect you from food poisoning, fever, measles, mumps, cough, cold, pox and even from infections that can occur in open wounds.
Astringent Properties
It can strengthen and tighten up the muscles present in your intestines and other areas of the digestive tract, gums, muscles, and even your skin, making you look smoother and younger. This property also makes it very good for your hair as it strengthens your scalp and prevents hair fall. Applying myrrh to your scalp also reduces dandruff.
Stimulates Several Systems In Your Body
Myrrh essential oil has all the properties of a stimulant. This means that it can boost your circulatory system which ensures that all your organs receive oxygenated blood effectively so that they can function efficiently. It helps your digestive system by stimulating the secretion of gastric juices and bile which leads to frequent and easier bowel movements as well as the better absorption of nutrients in your body. Myrrh oil helps your respiratory system so that you are able to breathe more easily and boosts your immune system and keeps your body protected from infections and diseases. It even stimulates the secretion of necessary hormones and enzymes, which contributes towards the better functioning of all your organs and systems. It further stimulates your nervous system, preventing nervous disorders later on. It, therefore, impacts your overall health in a positive manner and makes sure that everything functions as well as it should. This just leads to better health and more energy in general.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Inflammation is a problem that can occur anywhere in the body. It can lead to numerous health problems if not treated correctly. Inflammation usually occurs in the digestive system and the muscular system leading to a lot of pain and discomfort, which is bad for expecting mothers. Myrrh essential oil is known for dealing with the inflammation and providing you with relief from its symptoms. It can help with the pain in the muscles, as well as inflammation within the digestive system, which can prevent various digestive problems such as indigestion, gas, abdominal cramps, ulcers, acidity and others.
An Emmenagogue
Myrrh essential oil takes care of uterine health and can prevent uterine cancer and the development of fibroid and tumours in the organ. It also helps with post-pregnancy depression. Myrrh essential oil is extremely beneficial for women as it helps provide immense relief from the symptoms of PMS. It can also delay early menopause. It is important to note that pregnant women should not take myrrh oil internally as this may cause miscarriages. However, taking a small amount just to provide relief is fine.
Anti-catarrhal Properties
This means that it can help you get rid of excess mucus and phlegm in your body. This is vital because the buildup of mucus and phlegm can lead to breathing problems and disorders, congestion and even discomfort. By using myrrh oil, you end up preventing all of these issues, along with being susceptible to coughs, colds and asthma.
Improves Immune System
Besides addressing disease-causing inflammation, myrrh also appears to support the body in reducing disease-causing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been linked to heart disease, cancer, arthritis, stroke, respiratory diseases, immune deficiency, emphysema, Parkinson’s disease, and other inflammatory or ischemic conditions. Antioxidants are said to help neutralize free radicals in our bodies, and this is thought to boost overall health, to keep you and your baby healthy.
Since essential oils are extremely potent, herbalists recommend making a diluted solution that can be safely used on pregnant women, especially because of its emmenagogue properties. It is not recommended for pregnant women to ingest it orally but only for surface use as a moisturizer, for massage-use and aromatherapy.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5265628/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/myrrh-oil#section7