Page 336 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

Constituents
Galbanum contains a volatile oil and a resin which is soluble in alcohol. The
resin consists of 20 % of combined umbelliferone, 50 % galbaresirotannol and 0.25
% of free umbelliferone.

Uses
Galbanum is used as stimulant, carminative, expectorant and antispasmodic.
Chiefly used in perfume industry

Myrrh

Syn.: Gummiresina Myrrha; Myrrha; Gum Myrrh; Mour

Myrrh is an oleo-gum-resin obtained from the stems and branches of
Commiphora molmol Engler, and possibly other species of Commiphora (Fam.
Burseraceac). Myrrh contains not more than 4 % of foreign organic matter. The
plants are trees with whitish-grey bark and rough, spiny branches. They grow in
forests in the Red Sea districts of northern Africa and Western Arabia.

Preparation
The oleo-gum-resin which is at first yellowish-white is formed in schizo-
genous secretion reservoirs in the bark and pith. It exudes spontaneously through
natural fissures in the bark and through induced incisions. After hardening, it
becomes brownish-yellow to reddish-brown and is collected. There are two
principal commercial varieties of Myrrh; one is known as “African or Somali
Myrrh” and the other is the “Arabian or Yamen Myrrh”. The former is
considered the better.

T.S. in the bark of C. molmol
p, outer portion; st, sclerenchyma; d, thin-walled cells; p,
phloem parenchyma; b, sclerenchymatous fibers; m,

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