Opopanax chironium
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| Plant of Opopanax chironium | |
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O. chironium
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| Opopanax chironium |
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Opopanax chironium, common name Hercules-all-heal,[2] also known as sweet myrrh[3] or bisabol myrrh,[3] is a herb belonging to the family Apiaceae.
Subspecies
- Opopanax chironium subsp. chironium
- Opopanax chironium subsp. bulgaricum (Vel.) N.Andreev[4]
Description
Opopanax chironium grows 1–3 metres (3 ft 3 in – 9 ft 10 in) high.[3] This perennial herb has a branching stem, thick and rough close to the base. Leaves are serrate, pinnate, with long petioles. It produces a large, flat, yellow inflorescence at the top of the branches.[5][6]
Uses
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This plant is used in the production of certain perfumes. A consumable resin known as opopanax can be extracted from the Opopanax plant by cutting at the base of a stem and sun-drying the juice that flows out. Though people often find the taste acrid and bitter, the highly flammable resin can be burned as incense to produce a scent somewhat like balsam or lavender.[3]
The resin has been used in the treatment of spasms,[5] and, before that, as an emmenagogue, in the treatment of asthma, chronic visceral infections, hysteria and hypochondria.[3] Opopanax resin is most frequently sold in dried irregular pieces, though tear-shaped gems are not uncommon.[5]
Distribution and habitat
The plant thrives in warm climates like Iran, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Somalia, but also grows in cooler climates.[5][7] Some view opopanax grown in cooler climates as being of inferior quality.
References
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- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Scents of Earth Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Botanical
- ↑ Enciclopedia Treccani
- ↑ USDA
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- Tutin, T. G. et al., eds. 1964–1980. Flora Europaea.
