Myrtle
Botanical Description / Habitat
Myrtus Communis
Common Names
Myrtle
Habitat
It grows from the Mediterranean to the northwestern Himalayas.
Description
Myrtle is an evergreen, bushy shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and the flowers have white petals. Pea-sized berries may be blue-black or white.
The flowers have a sweet-spicy taste.
Medicinal Parts
Dried leaves and branches for essential oil are harvested in May and June.
Historical Properties & Uses
Myrtol is fungicidal, disinfectant and antibacterial.
It is used for acute and chronic respiratory infections e.g. bronchitis, whooping cough and tuberculosis.
Method of Action
Myrtle contains gallotannins.
Myrtol is the active constituent.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
There are no known drug interactions.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
No side effects are known with proper administration.
No internal usage should accompany inflammatory illnesses e.g. gall bladder or liver.
Overdosage (more than 10 g of oil) can lead to life-threatening poisoning.
No preparations made from the oil should be applied to the face of infants.
Preparation & Administration
Recommended daily dosage is: 0.2 gm.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
References:
Gruenwald, J, Brendler, T & Jaenicke, C (Eds.): PDR for Herbal Medicines. Medical Economics, NJ. 1998.
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