Myrtle Oil
Myrtle oil is extracted from the leaves and twigs of the bushy evergreen Myrtle tree. This tree is a member of the Myrtaceae plant family. It is indigenous to North Africa and is widely distributed in Europe, the Mediterranean regions including France, Spain, Corsica, Italy and Tunisia. Myrtle is a small bush that grows up to a maximum height of 3 feet. It has a brownish red bark that bears pointed leaves. These small leaves have a spicy, astringent and bitter taste. The fragrant Myrtle leaves have a refreshing and sweet aroma. This small tree bears white color flowers which are followed by black berries. Myrtle berries are sweet and have seeds within them. This bushy herb is often compared to eucalyptus as well as tea tree oil for its curative properties. Myrtle is also used for culinary purposes. It is added to salad dressings, curries, sauces, poultry and seafood. It was initially used by the ancient Egyptians to treat cough and sore throat.
Myrtle oil is extracted from the leaves and twigs of this small tree through steam distillation method. This oil is clear to pale green in color. Myrtle essential oil has a fresh, herbaceous, refreshing, sweet, evergreen, cool and flowery aroma. It also has a slight camphoraceous aroma much like the Eucalyptus oil. Myrtle oil blends well with lavender oil, bergamot oil, eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil, clary sage oil, ginger oil, thyme oil, clove oil, spearmint oil, hyssop oil, tea tree oil and peppermint oil.
Latin name: Myrtus communis
Alternative names: Myrtle pepper, Corsican pepper, Allspice.
Myrtle tree grows well in neutral, slightly acidic, loamy and very acidic soils. It can also be grown in less fertile soils with a good input of organic matter and fertilizers. Propagation is usually carried out by sowing seeds. Myrtle essential oil contains nerol, cineol, camphene, limonene, myrtenol acetate, geraniol, terpenoid aldehydes, myrtenol, linalool and α-pinene. It has astringent, decongestant, antiseptic, expectorant and bactericidal properties.
Uses: Myrtle oil is used in the treatment of respiratory disorders like cough, cold, asthma and bronchitis. This oil has been proved effective in treating hemorrhoids, diarrhea and herpes. Many research studies have witnessed that Myrtle oil has the super power to balance the natural ability of the ovaries and thyroid glands. Myrtle oil is also trusted to treat the imbalances of the ovaries and the prostate glands. This oil also helps in regulating the hormones and supports the body’s functional system. Acne, bruises, open pores, sinusitis, gingivitis and other hormonal imbalances are also aided with the help of this oil. Myrtle oil is also a proven traditional remedy for regulating the menstrual cycle.
