What Does Myrrh Smell Like?
If you go through the ingredients of a perfume bottle or some medicines, you might often come across an ingredient by the name of Myrrh. It is also known as Commiphora.
You might not be very familiar with this particular ingredient or even its name. After all, it is a fairly rare substance in nature, which is used even more rarely in the market. So what makes it such a sought-after material in the business of scents? Allow us to explain.
What is Myrrh?
Myrrh is a resinous substance that is extracted from the bark of certain trees. This sap-like material is taken from the trees of the Commiphora genus, native to Northern Africa and Middle East countries.
But do not be fooled by its dark mass-like appearance. The material has a wonderfully exquisite smell that is highly desirable among the people of the perfume industry.
It has been used for its scent as well as medicinal properties, since ancient times. It can also be used as a flavoring substance and is also used for religious purposes across the world. This material is used not just in perfumes, but also in incense sticks and other fragrant things because of its unique and wonderful smell. It is also popularly used in aromatherapy and essential oils and as a fixative in cosmetics.
What Does Myrrh Smell Like?
It is never an easy task to describe what something smells like. There are only so many words in the dictionary that can describe the vividness of some substance’s scent. But to make your life a bit easier, we will try to do that for you.
Myrrh has a resinous, fragrant smell that is woody and can sometimes even feel a bit medicinal. It comes in a variety of fragrances, including bitter and sour as well as warm and sweet. It has a soothing aroma similar to that of a pine sap smell.
The temperature has a great influence on what Myrrh smells like. The material has a deeply bitter scent when it is heated. But at room temperature, it has a beautifully resinous yet floral scent. It has a slightly citrusy smell like that of typical resins. It also has notes of patchouli. But when burnt it gives a deep earthy smell like that of frankincense. The pure resin tends to have a bitterer and sweeter smell than the extracted oil which has more of a medicinal hint. Some people even compare it with the likes of gasoline which might be somewhat true.
People who like incense sticks would be particularly familiar with this scent as it is a common ingredient in many of them .
It will remind you of warmth and a home-like feel. Myrrh has one of the most comforting scents of all ingredients. You can find the scent in churches, temples, and other places of worship.
Since the smell of the resin itself can be awfully overpowering, especially when burnt, it is often diluted before being used in the making of anything. When used in the right amount and concentration, its fragrance can indeed be a delight to the senses.
Popular Myrrh colognes
1. Gucci Pour Homme II
This bottle contains base notes of myrrh along with tobacco leaf, musk, and olive tree. The top notes are violet leaf and bergamot, middle notes are black tea, cinnamon, and pimento.
Launched in 2007, it is an amazing woody scent created by Gucci exclusively for men. The bottle is said to be a spicy scent that is nothing short of pleasure for smelling senses.
2. Dior Sauvage
This is a citrusy scent for men created by the well-known perfume brand, Dior. It’s a warm, winter perfume. The scent was launched in 2012. Base notes are of Myrrh, Patchouli and Oakmoss.
The top notes are Petitgrain, Bergamot, and Citron, while the middle notes contain Vetiver, Lavender, and Hedione. This was Dior’s reinvention of its classic Eau Sauvage scent. The customer reviews have also been generally positive.
3. Amouage Jubilation XXV
Launched in 2008, the perfume contains primary notes of Amber. The base notes are Myrrh, Patchouli, Cedar, Ambergris, Musk, Oakmoss, Opoponax, and Agarwood. Top notes contain Blackberry, Labdanum, Olibanum, Coriander, and Tarragon, while middle notes include Honey, Guaiac Wood, Orchid, Cinnamon, Clove, Rose, and Celery Seeds. The perfume comes in a beautifully crafted amber-colored bottle.
4. Zum Mist Frankincense & Myrrh Indigo Wild
Created as a unisex scent, Zum Mist contains notes of myrrh and olibanum. The fragrance is dark and dreamy, yet warm and sweet. The scent is amber. It is described as a deep, woodsy scent that helps you relax, no matter where you are.
5. Demeter Fragrance Myrrh
This particular line was launched in 2015. The scent is warm and spicy and mostly contains notes of myrrh. The company claims that the perfume gives a layered experience with a wide variety of scents that include Ireland, ginger ale, and prickly pear.
the bottom line:
Myrrh has been often said to have a modern aromatherapeutic scent that offers relaxation to the mind and body. It certainly is a very tempting, exquisite scent. Quite amazing that something that looks not much better than a mass of dark substance could have such an appeal.
If you have not yet given a shot at this wonderfully unique scent, maybe this article will finally encourage you to do that. Try it out for yourself to get a true feel of what it’s like.
