Myrrh tree

The name “myrrh” is derived from the Arabic word “murr”, meaning bitter taste. The ancient Egyptians used myrrh in embalming, and its medicinal use is mentioned in Egyptian, Roman, Greek and Chinese literature.

The myrrh tree (Commiphora myrrha) belongs to the family Burseraceae and is the species responsible for producing "true myrrh", an aromatic gum resin that exudes from the stem bark.