Myrrh for Ulcerative Colitis and Leaky Gut

A 2013 study showed that an herbal preparation of myrrh, chamomile and coffee charcoal was similarly effective at maintaining remission in people with ulcerative colitis as compared to a commonly prescribed medication (mesalamine) over the course of one year duration. A recent in vitro study showed that myrrh may help restore the intestinal barrier when damaged by inflammation (leaky gut). Prolonged use at high doses may be harmful for wound healing and have other adverse effects.

Langhorst J, Varnhagen I, Schneider SB, Albrecht U, Rueffer A, Stange R, Michalsen A, Dobos GJ. Randomised clinical trial: a herbal preparation of myrrh, chamomile and coffee charcoal compared with mesalazine in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis--a double-blind, double-dummy study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Sep;38(5):490-500. doi: 10.1111/apt.12397. Epub 2013 Jul 4. PMID: 23826890.

Hader H, Hering NA, Schulzke JD, Bücker R, Rosenthal R. Myrrh protects against IL-13-induced epithelial barrier breakdown in HT-29/B6 cells. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Nov 17;14:1301800. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1301800. PMID: 38044939; PMCID: PMC10691275.

Al Amri FS. Myrrh sitz bath for wound healing after hemorrhoidectomy: A retrospective study of adverse effects and treatment outcomes. Health Sci Rep. 2024 Jun 12;7(6):e2192. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.2192. PMID: 38868538; PMCID: PMC11168280.