Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In these traditions, myrrh has been used for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which are relevant to conditions like gout—a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by intense joint pain and swelling. Historical texts and some traditional herbal compendia mention the use of myrrh in the management of joint pain, swelling, and "wind-damp" conditions, terms that sometimes correlate with what is now recognized as gout. The resin has been used both topically and internally in these traditional practices.

Scientifically, myrrh contains several bioactive compounds (such as sesquiterpenes and furanoeudesma-1,3-diene) that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in animal studies. However, direct clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of myrrh specifically for gout in humans is extremely limited. No well-designed randomized controlled trials exist, and myrrh is not recognized in contemporary clinical guidelines as a treatment for gout. Thus, its use for gout is justified primarily by its traditional applications, bolstered slightly by preclinical evidence of anti-inflammatory activity, but not by robust scientific validation. The overall quality of evidence supporting myrrh for gout is therefore rated as low (1 out of 5).