OBJECTIVE To investigate the components and characteristic chromatograms of natural myrrh and colloidal myrrh from different origins using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). METHODS Based on the study of molecular identification techniques for determining the botanical origins of myrrh, GC-MS was utilized to conduct a qualitative analysis of the volatile oil components in 10 batches of colloidal myrrh and 15 batches of natural myrrh. Furthermore, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Chromatographic Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation System was used to establish the characteristic chromatograms for natural myrrh and colloidal myrrh,respectively.The similarity between different origins and the same commercial type of myrrh with their common mode chromatograms was evaluated. RESULTS Natural myrrh contained significantly more volatile components than colloidal myrrh. Colloidal myrrh primarily consisted of low-boiling-point components,whereas natural myrrh contained both low-and high-boiling-point components.The main components of the volatile oils in both types of myrrh were sesquiterpenes. CONCLUSION There are notable differences in the characteristic chromatograms between natural myrrh and colloidal myrrh. However,there are no significant differences in the volatile components between myrrh of the same commercial type but different botanical origins. There are significant differences in the volatile components between natural myrrh and colloidal myrrh.The volatile components of myrrh are related to its commercial type but not to its botanical origin.