Risks of Myrrh usage in pregnancy

Abstract

Recurrent miscarriage places a huge psychological burden on a woman who is trying to conceive. Meanwhile, the use of traditional medicine still plays an important role within the Saudi Arabian culture, where many patients still seek alternative forms of therapy. However, this traditional way of treatment might expose patients to many hazards. We present a case of a 32-year-old pregnant woman with a history of infertility and recurrent miscarriages. She used large amounts of myrrh herbs for 2 months, since a traditional healer told her that her current pregnancy would progress safely by its use. However, her pregnancy was complicated with an acute abdominal pain. Her symptom was relieved as soon as she stopped taking myrrh. We assume that myrrh acted as a uterine stimulant causing acute abdominal pain. Scientific studies should be carried out to evaluate the safety of Myrrh intake during pregnancy.

Herbal Medicinal Product Use During Pregnancy and the Postnatal Period

“…Sample size ranged from 27 to 500 women in interventional studies, 187 to 860,215 women in observational studies, and one to five women in case reports. Seven studies collected data during the first trimester of pregnancy; 71,82,85,88,96,105,107 10 during the second trimester; 41,58,67,81,83,84,87,89,101,108 12 during the third trimester; 38,62,64,80,91,92,100,102,103,106,109,110 five throughout pregnancy; 69,70,75,90,95 five around the time of labor (a few hours before or after delivery); 37,59–61,77 nine throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period; 14,31,39,72–74,78,79,111 three during the third trimester and the postnatal period; 40,112,113 20 during the postnatal period only; 24,34,56,63,65,66,68,76,86,94,97–99,104,114–119 and two did not specify the precise point during pregnancy of data collection. 57,93…”

Myrrh for treatment of severe vulvar edema in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

“…It's quite common for herbal medicine to be used in Saudi Arabia [5] . People still strongly believe in the role of herbs with Myrrh being one of the most commonly used herb in the Arabian Peninsula [5] . Myrrh is consituited of volatile essential oils, sesquiterpenes, and a water soluble gum [5] .…”

“…People still strongly believe in the role of herbs with Myrrh being one of the most commonly used herb in the Arabian Peninsula [5] . Myrrh is consituited of volatile essential oils, sesquiterpenes, and a water soluble gum [5] . In large doses it may be unsafe and may affect the kidney and the heart [5] .…”

“…Myrrh is consituited of volatile essential oils, sesquiterpenes, and a water soluble gum [5] . In large doses it may be unsafe and may affect the kidney and the heart [5] . It poses analgesic, anti-inflammaty, antiseptic, antifungal, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, emmenagogue, expectorant, and anti-hyperlipidemic effects [5] .…”

“…In large doses it may be unsafe and may affect the kidney and the heart [5] . It poses analgesic, anti-inflammaty, antiseptic, antifungal, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, emmenagogue, expectorant, and anti-hyperlipidemic effects [5] . We are reporting a case of severe vulvar edema treated with local myrrh application.…”