Myrtle

MyrtuscommunisL.

The Myrtle family contains about 3,500 plants. The most famous of them are eucalyptus, tea tree, clove tree, feijoa and, of course, myrtle. Its homeland is Southern Europe and North Africa.

Evergreen myrtle is very decorative: small glossy leaves, white and soft pink small fragrant flowers, which turn into purple-black berries with a strong aroma. Not only the berries and flowers smell fragrant, but also the leaves; just knead them with your fingers. If you look through the light, you can see many small holes on each leaf. These are nothing more than tiny capsules with essential oil with a tart camphor-spicy smell. It is obtained from fresh leaves and shoots of the plant. In recent years, its production has been reduced due to a lack of natural raw materials.

Since ancient times, myrtle has been a symbol of joy, peace, tranquility, happiness, constancy and victory. It was believed that it conveys to a person the vital substance, the breath of life itself. Therefore, in the ancient world, the myrtle flower was called the “flower of the gods,” bestowing immortality.

Among the Egyptians, myrtle personified love, joy and was dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Among the Jews, myrtle is the flower of the Tabernacle, a symbol of marriage. In the Greco-Roman tradition, myrtle symbolizes love and marriage, marital happiness, and childbirth. It was dedicated to Neptune, Adonis, Artemis, Venus and Europa. For Christians, myrtle signified the glory and prosperity of the Church of Christ. On the Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites had to live in huts made of myrtle branches. In the Mandaean tradition, a myrtle wreath was crowned not only by representatives of the priestly caste, but also by ordinary people on their birthday, wedding day and death day.

In some nations, when a daughter was born, parents planted a myrtle seed in a pot. When a girl got married, her head was decorated with a myrtle wreath made from the branches of a grown tree, roses were woven into it, and the bride was given to the groom’s house with myrtle in addition.

In Ancient Egypt, myrtle leaves and berries were infused into wine and given to fever patients to drink. Dioscorides recommended drinking this drink for infections of the lungs and bladder. “Angel water,” a lotion made from myrtle leaves, was very popular in the Middle Ages among noble ladies. French women drank myrtle water to preserve youth and beauty for as long as possible. After all, according to one of the ancient legends, the beautiful Alcina remained fresh and young thanks to the fact that every morning she washed her face with spring water infused with the leaves of myrtle trees, into which she turned all her admirers. Who knows, maybe the ancients were right, because myrtle has excellent balsamic properties. It has also been established that an aqueous infusion of myrtle leaves has an antibacterial effect and destroys microbes resistant to penicillin, streptomycin and aureomycin.

Medicinal properties

1. Used in the treatment of bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, pneumonia, emphysema, tracheitis, laryngitis, acute respiratory infections, ARVI, sinusitis.
2. It cleanses the lungs well of nicotine and occupational contaminants.
3. Strengthens the walls of blood vessels, increases their elasticity, recommended for phlebitis, varicose veins, hemorrhoids.
4. Used for urinary tract infections, cystitis, urethritis.
5. Immunostimulating agent for frequent colds.
6. Effective for acne, acne, shingles.
7. In folk medicine it is known as an antiseptic, astringent, balsamic, bactericidal, expectorant, sedative, anti-inflammatory agent. Used for diseases of the respiratory system, skin diseases, diphtheria.
8. Calms and strengthens the nervous system, regulates its activity, and relieves insomnia.
9. Recommended for caring for any skin type. Cleanses, tones, increases skin turgor, stimulates its protective functions. Natural deodorant.
10. Effective against insect and animal bites.

Dosage

Oil burner: 5-7 k.

Internally: 1 k. with 1 tsp. honey 2-3 times a day.

Inhalations: 1-2 k.

Baths: 3-4 k.

Massage: 3-5 k. per 10 ml of transport oil.

Compress: 7-10 k. per 10 ml of transport oil (can be used in combination with cypress 1:1).

Applications: 1:5 (for hemorrhoids).

Enrichment of cosmetics: 3-4 k. per 10 g of base.

Contraindications. Individual intolerance.