Can You Lower Bad Cholesterol With Myrrh Supplements?

Years ago I knew one thing about myrrh; it was used in song lyrics from Jesus Christ Superstar. While I do love a good musical, JCS really didn’t contribute much in the way of myrrh information. You see myrrh in shops in the form of incense and more recently in pill form. Lately, I’ve seen a lot of claims regarding the health benefits of myrrh. Is myrrh a health miracle or does it just make for good song lyrics?

Historically, according to Christian belief, myrrh was brought to the table by the three wise men. Gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are present in many a holiday special. Myrrh resin has been used throughout history for medical and cosmetic uses. Extractions from the myrrh plant have also been used by practitioners of ayuvedic medicine to treat obesity, high cholesterol, and arthritis – although it should be noted that ayuvedic medicine combines herbal treatments with other methods such as meditation and diet.

According to Medline Plus, guggulipid is, “The gum resin of the mukul myrrh tree.” Clinical studies in India show that guggulipid can reduce total blood cholesterol and triglycerides. However, numerous US studies have shown negative clinical results for the use of myrrh to treat these issues.

One such larger US study, discussed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, (NCCAM), showed that standard (or even higher) doses of guggulipid did not significantly lower cholesterol in people with high blood cholesterol. However, guggulipid, or myrrh, continues to be marketed by various supplement companies as a good dietary supplement for controlling cholesterol levels and maintaining a healthy heart. NCCAM points out that the popularity of myrrh supplements for health is a good example of why further studies on popular herbs and other botanical treatments are necessary – so that the public can make informed decisions.

Another report by the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that guggulipid may even make bad cholesterol level worse. The study, completed in 2003, gave placebos to 1/3 of study participants, 1/3 of the participants were given average doses of guggulipid, and the last 1/3 got extra high doses of guggulipid.

Scientists discovered that individuals taking average doses of guggulipid to treat their high cholesterol had a 4% higher cholesterol level by the end of the study than the placebo taking individuals. The participants who received extra high doses of guggulipid showed a 5% higher cholesterol level than individuals taking placebos.

One supplement company was recently marketing myrrh as a, “Powerful antiseptic on the mucous membranes, an expectorant for colds and chest congestion. Which sooths inflammation and speeds the healing process.” This particular company was targeted by the Food and Drug Administration for trying to establish false advertising claims. As of yet, the above uses of myrrh to treat health conditions have not been statically proven either positively or negatively.

Myrrh does historically and medically have purpose. But current research shows that lowering your cholesterol is not one of these purposes. The seemingly current bottom line is that there are other, better, cholesterol treatments than guggulipid, or myrrh supplements.

Coming soon: Real ways to use myrrh successfully.