The common myrtle, Myrtus communes, also called true myrtle, is widespread in the Mediterranean region and is commonly cultivated.

Myrtle is widely cultivated as an ornamental garden shrub, particularly for its numerous flowers in late summer. It requires a long hot summer to produce its flowers, and protection from winter frosts. It may be clipped to form a hedge.

This aromatic evergreen shrub originates from Africa, and grows all around the Mediterranean. It was introduced to Britain in 1597, but generally only flourishes in the south, or under glass (it can also be grown as a pot plant). It has small, shiny, dark green leaves which contain vesicles full of essential oil. The flowers are fragrant and white, five-petal led with a spectacular spray of thin stamens. These are followed by purple-black berries. In its natural habitat, myrtle can grow to virtual tree height, up to about 4 m.

The Ancient Egyptians knew of the therapeutic properties of myrtle, macerating the leaves in wine to counter fever and infection. Theophrastus later confirmed its place in therapy, adding that the best and most odiferous tree came from Egypt. Dioscorides also prescribed a wine in which the leaves had been macerated: this fortified the stomach and was effective for pulmonary and bladder infections, and for those who were spitting blood.

Benefit & Uses: It is used in the islands of Sardinia and Corsica to produce an aromatic liqueur called mirto by macerating it in alcohol. Mirto is known as one of the most typical drinks of Sardinia and comes in two varieties: mirto rosso (red) produced by macerating the berries and mirto bianco (white) produced from the less common yellow berries and sometimes the leaves.

Myrtle is the symbol of divine generosity. According to one interpretation, when “Adam was expelled from Paradise he was allowed to take with him wheat, chief of foods; a date, chief of fruits; and myrtle, chief of scented flowers.” The bark and roots are used to tan the finest Turkish and Russian leathers, which they wrap in a delicate scent. This scent is used in perfumes, soaps and potpourris and can be enjoyed in your garden, too.

In the mythology and the rituals of the ancient Greeks, the myrtle plant was associated with Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. Further, the brave soldiers, athletes and nobles were honored with its leaves. Since the Greek goddess Aphrodite hid under a myrtle bush, myrtle has stood for beauty, purity and love. Garlands of myrtle were worn at weddings in biblical times as a symbol of conjugal love. Brides bedecked themselves with myrtle leaves. Leaves and flowers were major ingredients of Angels Water, a sixteenth-century skin care lotion.

In Greek mythology and ritual the myrtle was sacred to the goddesses Aphrodite and also “Demeter. Artemidorus asserts that in interpreting dreams “a myrtle garland signifies the same as an olive garland, except that it is especially auspicious for farmers because of Demeter and for women because of Aphrodite. For the plant is sacred to both goddesses."

In Rome, Virgil explains that “the poplar is most dear to Alcides, the vine to Bacchus, the myrtle to lovely Venus and his own laurel to Phoebes."At the Veneralia festival, women bathed wearing crowns woven of myrtle branches and myrtle was used in wedding rituals.

In past times, ripe fruits (berries) were used as food integrators because of their high vitamin contents. The fruit's decoction was used to bath newborns with reddened skin. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of urinary infections, digestive problems, vaginal discharge, bronchial congestion, sinusitis and dry cough.

 

In Ayurveda, it is seen as a treatment for cerebral infections, most notably epilepsy. Myrtle has also been used at various times as an astringent, an antiseptic and a decongestant. The essential oil has many pharmacological properties such as anti-diarrhea, antibiotic, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, balsamic, carminative, haemostatic and tonic. Plants used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus represent a valuable alternative to medication in order to control the disease.