? Identification method of myrrh

Myrrh is a common Chinese medicine. It was first seen in Kaibao Materia Medica in the Song Dynasty. Has the effects of promoting qi circulation, promoting blood circulation, relieving swelling and pain. Can be used for treating blood stasis, carbuncle, swelling and pain, amenorrhea and abdominal pain. External use for treating sores and promoting granulation.

Source? Natural myrrh is resin oozing from the bark of myrrh .. and Balsamodendron ehrenbergianumberg. A myrrh tree of Oleaceae. Gum myrrh, source as above.

Origin and distribution? Location: Africa, Somalia and Ethiopia. In addition, it is also produced in Kenya and other places.

Identification point? Natural myrrh and colloidal myrrh are similar in shape, which is very difficult to distinguish. Only the surface of the former is yellowish brown or reddish brown, and some are translucent, bitter and slightly spicy; The latter is dark brown opaque, bitter and sticky, with little difference in the ear. Both are used as medicine.

Classic appraisal? 1: "Myrrh gave birth to Persia. , its size is uncertain, black, like benzoin. Su Song said, "Today, there may be some in Hainan and Guangzhou. The roots of trees are all like olives, and they grow on Julia. Old people, with grease dripping underground, condense into blocks, big or small, also like benzoin. All the time. Li Xun said, "According to Xu Biao's Southern Zhou Ji, it is Persian turpentine. It looks like a sacred fragrance, red and black. " 4 Ming "Materia Medica": "Myrrh, yellow and black benzoin, produced in the Persian kingdom. It is also wood resin liquid, which condenses into pieces day by day, ranging in size, and it is bright and lovely when it is broken. Li Shizhen said: "According to the unified annals, the myrrh tree is as tall as pine and its skin is one or two inches thick. When picking, dig a ridge under the tree and peel it with an axe, and the fat will flow on the ridge and be taken ten days later. Li Jue said that frankincense is Persian turpentine and myrrh is turpentine, which covered up the rumor. The so-called divine fragrance, I wonder what it is? 6 Qing "New Theory of Materia Medica": "Myrrh is the last medicine. Out of the south, amber will be fine. 」

Quick identification 1. Natural myrrh: irregular particles with different sizes, the largest of which is 6 cm long. The surface is yellowish brown or reddish brown, nearly translucent, partially brownish black, covered with yellow dust. Hard and brittle, with irregular section. It has a special fragrance, which tastes bitter, but a little spicy.

2. Gum myrrh: irregular blocks, bonded into blocks of different sizes, up to 6 cm. The surface is dark brown and opaque. Solid or loose, irregular section. It has a special fragrance and tastes bitter and sticky.