Dry up those mucous membranes with this cousin of the healing myrrh oil. Its sweet exotic fragrance has made it a popular component of incense and perfumes since Biblical times, and it is often used to support meditation.
You may have read of myrrh in the Song of Solomon in the Bible—opopanax (sweet myrrh) is most likely the sensuous myrrh spoken of. Breathe in the sweeter, softer, and longer-lasting aroma of opopanax, very different from myrrh’s sharp freshness. Opopanax has been used traditionally for treating bronchitis, colds, sore throats, and coughs.
Plant Parts: Resin/Gum
Botanical Family: Burseraceae
Chemical Family: Monoterpenes, Sesquiterpenes
Country of Origin: Kenya
Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Cultivation Method: Wild Crafted
Aroma: Balsamic, Exotic and Sensual, Resinous, Sweet
Note Classification: Base
Bronchitis: Dry up mucous and relieve spasmodic cough. See Chest Calm Balm in recipes tab.
Colds: Add 3 drops opopanax, 2 drops of eucalyptus dives and 2 drops eucalyptus radiata in a bowl of steaming water. Place a towel over your head and the bowl, close the eyes and breathe.
Coughs: Dry up mucous and relieve spasmodic cough. See Chest Calm Balm in recipes tab.
Perfume: I love the scent of opopanax! Try blending it with sandalwood and vanilla CO2 to make a beautiful perfume.
Sore Throat: Relief for sore throat. See Sore Throat Ease in recipes tab.
Chest Calm Balm
10 drops opopanax
6 drops black pepper
6 drops cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana)
7 drops frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
6 drops orange
1/2 oz. beeswax
2 oz. jojoba
1 oz shea butter
Directions: Place the beeswax, and jojoba in a Pyrex glass-measuring cup. Fill a stockpot 1/4 of the way with water and bring to a boil. Place the Pyrex in the pot of water and wait for the beeswax to melt into the jojoba. Once the beeswax is melted, add the shea butter and melt. Be sure none of the water from the pot boils into the Pyrex container.
When the shea butter is melted, remove from heat. Add the remaining essential oils and stir well with a glass stir rod or a wooden chopstick.
Pour into small glass containers or tin containers. This recipe makes 3.5 ounces of salve.
Sore Throat Ease
4 drops opopanax
6 drops sandalwood
1 oz. jojoba
Directions: Blend the above ingredients into a 1 oz. container. Gently rub onto neck area to help relieve sore throat. Use as often as needed.
Non-toxic and generally non-irritating, but may cause sensitization and skin irritation in some people. Caution against using it on children under 2 years, and hypersensitive, diseased or damaged skin. IFRA (International Fragrance Association) used to claimed that Opoponax was phototoxic. Tisserand states that recently, IFRA has dropped the idea of Opopanax being phototoxic.
If pregnant, nursing or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician or clinical certified aromatherapist. For external use only. Keep away from mucous membranes & eyes. Test a small amount on skin for allergic reaction. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid using on infants and small children under the age of five.
Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil.
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