Read here about Common Myrtle, Myrtus communis, its medicinal properties, other uses and place in folklore.
Myrtle is a medium-sized evergreen shrub of Mediterranean origin, hardy in most of the UK.
It has small, tough, glossy leaves, and a profusion of creamy-white flowers about an inch / 2cm across, and bluish-black berries. There is a tradition that Sir Walter Raleigh introduced myrtle to England from Spain in 1585, but it is very likely it arrived earlier, as myrtle had been grown in Spanish gardens since medieval times, and the botanist John Gerard could identify six varieties growing in England by 1597. Potted myrtle plants became fashionable in the formal gardens and the orangeries of the nobility during the 17th and 18th centuries, clipped into shape in a similar fashion to potted bay trees today.
There are many members of the Myrtaceae family across the globe, mostly requiring a warm climate, and many native to tropical regions. Most are aromatic and many have edible fruits: among them are eucalyptus, allspice, clove and guava.
A quirky fact about Myrtle is that after ingestion, urine will be violet-scented!
Medicinal Uses
Myrtle has long been used medicinally to cleanse and purify the skin, to treat acne, and against infection in wounds. Herbal tisanes of dried myrtle leaves and berries are made in the Mediterranean area for urinary and digestive problems.
Like its relative eucalyptus, myrtle is useful as an expectorant, owing to the presence of the compound cineole. Essential Oil of Myrtle can be used in an aromatherapy diffuser, or diluted in a carrier oil and rubbed into the chest, to relieve respiratory problems such as bronchitis, asthma and coughs.
Myrtle contains many compounds thought to be beneficial to human health, including myricetin, known to be anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. There are also studies suggesting possible benefits to diabetics, relief of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and potential for antibacterial use as described below:
A 2014 academic study was carried out into its use against the bacterial disease erisypelas. This disease, common in animals, can be transmitted to humans with potential for skin irritation at least and, at worst, endocarditis and sepsis. The study established “that products with valuable antibacterial activity can be produced from leaves of M. communis” against Erysipelas.
Other Uses
On the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica, myrtle berries are macerated in alcohol to make a liqueur, Mirto.
Myrtle leaves and fruit contain a unique combination of organic compounds and nutrients, and the flavour has been compared to that of allspice.
Sardinian cuisine commonly makes much use of the leaves, in recipes where cooks from other European countries might use bay. In the Middle East, the berries and leaves are used to flavour lamb and pork dishes.
Myth and Magic
A Greek myth involves the trio of Myrtle, Aphrodite, goddess of love, and Adonis, the personification of masculine beauty. Adonis was conceived in an incestuous relationship between the king of Assyria and his daughter Myrrha. Some say that Myrrha was turned by Aphrodite into a myrtle tree out of sympathy, as she was fleeing the unwanted lust of her own father; others that the goddess was so jealous of Myrrha’s beauty that she caused the incest out of spite. The result was the same: Myrrha gave birth to Adonis, Aphrodite fell in love with him, and being spurned, had him killed. Repenting of her deed, she caused the flower anemone to spring from his blood… It will not have escaped your notice that the name of Adonis’s mother is reminiscent of yet another tree – Myrrh. And the Greek myth of Daphne and the Laurel tree (also known as Bay) has also been related as Daphne and the Myrtle tree. So there is much entanglement of plants in these legends; and you may choose the one you prefer!
It is true, however, that many exquisite, ancient, gold myrtle wreaths have been found in Greece. Just as laurel wreaths signified victory in battle to those Greeks (and Romans), a myrtle wreath was presented for victory in a bloodless contest, such as poetry or athletics.
The linking of myrtle with the goddess of love and beauty in ancient times was assimilated by later Greek Christians into an association with Mary, the Virgin mother of Christ. In one example, a feast day is held on 24thSeptember to celebrate a medieval icon of Panagia Myrtidiotissa (Our Lady of the Myrtle), relating to a Greek Orthodox tradition about a holy icon found by a shepherd in a myrtle bush.
In Judaism, myrtle is known as Hadassah, one of four sacred plants in the Feast of the Tabernacles. A medieval description of Esther states that “she was called Hadassah because the righteous are compared to myrtle … As the myrtle spreads fragrance in the world, so did she spread good works.” Esther helped prevent a massacre of the Jews and her story is told as part of the Jewish celebration of Purim.
Finally, a more recent – and British – story involving myrtle. Queen Victoria carried only orange blossom at her wedding, but two years later she saw her cousin Augusta married with myrtle on her dress, train, head-dress as well as in her bouquet: the Court Circular of the day claimed that myrtle was “the emblematic flower of Germany.” Queen Victoria, having shortly after received a posy of myrtle from her German grandmother, had a sprig planted at her Isle of Wight home, Osborne, where its descendants are still being grown. Meanwhile, she had myrtle and orange blossom lavishly used for the wedding outfits of her own daughters, and the tradition of orange blossom and myrtle for royal brides continues to the present day.
Acknowledgements – thanks to the following for much of the information
www.alchemy-works.com
www.rhs.org.uk
www.flowerinfo.org
www.english-heritage.org.uk
www.starchild.co.uk
www.atozflowers.com
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (source for the academic study)
www.iloveitalianfood.com
www.manorfarmherbs.co.uk
https://blog.library.si.edu (The Smithsonian Libraries – Unbound)
