The evergreen myrtle shrubs are typical of the Mediterranean flora. In addition to its use in herbal cooking, its essential oils are believed to have medicinal properties. Myrtle is used in herbal cooking, and its oil is used in the cosmetics industry.
Occurrence and cultivation of myrtle
The evergreen myrtle shrubs are typical of the Mediterranean flora. In addition to its use in herbal cooking, its essential oils are believed to have medicinal properties. Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is a member of the plant family Myrtaceae. The plants are typical of the Mediterranean region with its mild, Mediterranean climate; however, myrtles can also be found in the north of Africa and in Central Asia. In ancient Greece and Rome, myrtle was dedicated to the goddess Venus. It was considered a symbol of love and beauty, purity, fertility, chastity and joy – so brides were adorned with myrtle wreaths and grooms with myrtle branches – hence the term “bridal myrtle”. The evergreen myrtle shrub can grow up to five meters high. In our Central European regions, myrtles are mainly cultivated as tub plants because they cannot survive severe night frosts in the wild. Then the plant remains much smaller. Typical for myrtles are the coarse, leathery and narrow leaves. Myrtle leaves grow between one and five centimeters long and are opposite. They are relatively densely covered with oil glands and have a translucent dotted appearance. While the tops of the leaves are shiny dark green, the undersides of the myrtle leaves appear lighter. Aged myrtle branches often remain mostly bare. Beginning in early May and continuing into midsummer, myrtles produce small white flowers that have a beguiling fragrance. On flower stalks up to three inches long, they stand singly in the axils of the leaves. The sepals of myrtle flowers are pronounced triangular, while the corollas appear almost circular. The stamens are equipped with yellow anthers. Myrtle flowers ripen into dark berries, about one centimeter in size and blue-black in color. In addition to various resins, bitter and tannins, myrtle plants contain a lot of essential oil. The tea tree (Melaleuca) is a well-known member of the large myrtle family and supplier of the popular tea tree oil. Myrtles are offered for cultivation in plant containers. All myrtles are sun lovers, but they also grow well in light shade. Because myrtles thrive in stony and lime-free soils in their natural environment, lime-free substrates are recommended within individual husbandry. Myrtles require regular fertilization and continuous watering. While the fresh branches of myrtle are harvested as a medicinal plant during the summer, the somewhat smaller leaves of myrtle cultivated in planters are available for use in herbal cooking and for making liqueurs throughout the year.
Effect and application
From the leaves of myrtle is extracted its oil, which contains about 0.1 to 0.8 percent. Apart from natural regional variations, myrtle oil contains on average:24.5 percent, 1, 8 percent cineole, 24.5 percent alpha-pinene, 12.3 percent limonene, 11.6 percent tannin, 8.2 percent gamma-terpinene, 3.3 percent nerol, 2.5 percent linalyl acetate, 2.8 percent geraniol and 0.5 percent gamma-pinene. With its pronounced secretory action, myrtle oil stimulates appetite. As Myrtol prepared from eucalyptus oil, sweet orange oil, myrtle oil and lemon oil in the ratio 66:32:1:1, it is one of the most popular cough remedies in Germany. It loosens the mucus and thus helps to relieve the respiratory tract. Thus, the oil of myrtle is a liberating agent to fight bronchial infections. The healing effects of myrtle are also used to treat sinus infections and some urinary tract conditions. The high-quality essential oil of myrtle has antiseptic effects. Therefore, it is used in the treatment of wounds, against inflammation of the gums and hemorrhoids. The crushed leaves can relieve skin problems such as psoriasis and acne. Myrtle oil is important base ingredient of traditional medicinal plant oils – popular example is tea tree oil. As an incense and fragrance oil, myrtle has been used to purify the air since ancient times. In this way, it provides concentration, attention and mental clarity. The fragrance facilitates meditations, it gives self-confidence and courage.In herbal cuisine, myrtle twigs are considered a seasoning addition to roasts and grilled meats. The leaves are used either ground or whole. Harvested berries of myrtle can be cooked in gravies like juniper berries. The buds and flowers of myrtle are also a pretty and spicy decoration for fresh salads. The sepals should be plucked off before serving. Myrtle is also a basic ingredient in the production of liqueurs: an example is the sweet Myrto Rosso, made from myrtle berries. Dry, on the other hand, is Myrto Bianco, made from myrtle flowers and foliage. In the cosmetics industry, myrtle oil is used as a base ingredient for cosmetics and perfumes. Dried blossoms and leaves spread a beautiful fragrance over longer periods of time, so that they can be used to make scented pillows or potpourris. In this context, myrtle fragrance harmonizes particularly well with citrus oils, lavender, flower oils and resins.
Significance for health, treatment and prevention.
The mild positive effects of myrtle are always used preventively by health conscious people: As inhalation, additive for relaxing baths, in meditation mixtures as well as a soothing myrtle tea and as a food supplement, for example in traditional Ayurveda as organic Tulsi Churna, both the oil and the flowers and leaves of myrtle are used. Myrtle provides spice, healing properties and fragrance throughout the year. In summer, it can be placed outdoors as a decorative container plant – and those who have a winter garden can enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere throughout the year.
