Myrrh Absolute — Commiphora myrrhanees | Dark Resinous Balsamic | H Reynaud Fils, France

Part of our Professional Perfumers Range — curated for the discerning natural perfumer seeking exceptional depth and rarity.

Myrrh Absolute — The Ancient Resin of Depth and Mystery

Myrrh is one of the oldest aromatic materials in human history — burned in temples, used in embalming, traded across ancient trade routes, and prized by perfumers for millennia for a quality of deep, warm, slightly medicinal resinous character that sits at the heart of countless oriental and incense compositions. The absolute, produced in France by H Reynaud Fils, established 1898, from the oleo-gum resin of Commiphora myrrhanees — closely related to the classical myrrh species Commiphora myrrha — is a considerably richer and more complex material than the essential oil, capturing the full aromatic spectrum of the raw resin with a depth and tenacity that the distilled oil only approximates.

Myrrh and frankincense have been paired since antiquity — the two resins complementing each other with remarkable facility, frankincense providing luminous, citrus-fresh lift while myrrh anchors the composition with darker, more balsamic warmth. This complementary relationship remains as relevant and rewarding today as it was in ancient Egypt.

Scent Profile

The opening is warm, slightly medicinal-sweet, and immediately resinous — a distinctive myrrh character that combines earthy, slightly bitter facets with a warm balsamic sweetness that develops beautifully over time. There is a characteristic slightly animalic warmth that gives myrrh absolute its distinctive depth — something ancient and slightly mysterious that distinguishes it immediately from frankincense or benzoin. As it develops, warm woody notes emerge alongside a subtle spiciness and an earthy, almost dusty quality that speaks of the arid landscapes from which the resin comes. The drydown is extraordinarily tenacious — one of the longest-lasting naturals available.

Perfumery Applications

Myrrh absolute is an outstanding fixative and character note in oriental, incense, and balsamic compositions — its combination of dark resinous warmth, animalic depth, and exceptional tenacity making it invaluable as a base note anchor across a wide range of composition types. In oriental structures it adds dark, mysterious depth; in incense compositions it is the darker counterpart to frankincense's luminosity; in leather accords its slightly animalic character deepens and naturalises the composition with remarkable effect.

Use at low to moderate concentrations — this is a potent material whose dark, resinous character will dominate if overdosed. Start conservatively and build from there.

Blending Suggestions

Pairs beautifully with frankincense, opopanax, labdanum, benzoin, cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, rose absolute, jasmine, violet leaf, bergamot, cistus, and soft musks. The timeless accord of frankincense and myrrh is the natural starting point — two materials that have been combined for thousands of years and remain as compelling today as ever.

Technical Details

• Botanical Name: Commiphora myrrhanees Engl.
• Common Name: Myrrh
• Botanical Family: Burseraceae
• Supplier: H Reynaud Fils, established 1898, France
• Origin: East Africa / Arabian peninsula (resin); processed in France
• Plant Part: Oleo-gum resin
• Extraction Method: Solvent extraction (absolute)
• Classification: Base note — excellent fixative
• Appearance: Mobile liquid — supplied in DPG carrier for ease of handling, standard industry practice
• Odour Family: Resinous / Balsamic / Earthy / Medicinal-Sweet / Animalic
• Natural: Yes — 100% pure natural absolute

Packaging

1ml sample supplied in a 5ml clear flint glass bottle. 5ml, 10ml and 30ml supplied in amber glass bottles — all with inbuilt droppers and tamper evident caps.

Safety Information

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas. Not suitable for use on babies, children, pets or broken skin. Avoid use during pregnancy or whilst nursing. Always dilute properly and perform a patch test before first use.

Sample Policy

We recommend purchasing a 1ml sample first before committing to larger quantities. Please note that no refunds can be offered on opened items.

Photo images are for illustrative purposes only.