True Myrtle
Myrtus communis
This tree is widespread in the Mediterranean region and is commonly cultivated. It is a garden shrub and typically grows flowers in the late summer.
Myrtus communis
This tree is widespread in the Mediterranean region and is commonly cultivated. It is a garden shrub and typically grows flowers in the late summer.
About the True Myrtle
http://plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.com/?p=2474 |
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In Depth...
Foliage
-Ovate to lanceolate leaves; opposite
-Texture: fine
-Margins: entire
-Leaves are aromatic
Flower:
-Size: small, around 2cm in width
-Color: pink to pinkish-white
-Fragrant
Fruit
-Slightly elongated globose berries
-Size: around 1/2 cm in diameter
-Characteristics: look like blueberries; blue-black when ripe
Stem/Bark
-Twigs: fine textured, green in color, turn brown
-Bark: smooth, gray-brown; when it peels, shows light tan inner bark
Other
-Grows in upright oval form
-Prone to infestation by scale insects
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/syllabi/608/Lists/second%20ed/Myrtuscommunis.pdf
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1305
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Myrtus+communis
http://www.plants-culture.unimore.it/book/15%20OzkanGuray.pdf
-Ovate to lanceolate leaves; opposite
-Texture: fine
-Margins: entire
-Leaves are aromatic
Flower:
-Size: small, around 2cm in width
-Color: pink to pinkish-white
-Fragrant
Fruit
-Slightly elongated globose berries
-Size: around 1/2 cm in diameter
-Characteristics: look like blueberries; blue-black when ripe
Stem/Bark
-Twigs: fine textured, green in color, turn brown
-Bark: smooth, gray-brown; when it peels, shows light tan inner bark
Other
-Grows in upright oval form
-Prone to infestation by scale insects
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/syllabi/608/Lists/second%20ed/Myrtuscommunis.pdf
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1305
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Myrtus+communis
http://www.plants-culture.unimore.it/book/15%20OzkanGuray.pdf
Ethnobotany
Throughout history, the myrtus communis has been used in many different ways. Every part of the plant has a use, making the True Myrtle one of the most historically prevalent plants in the world. In the food industry, meats, sauces, and many other products are flavored by different parts of the plant. Not only are the berries edible, but in the cosmetic industry, can be used for natural color. Also in the cosmetic industry, the oil of the plant is often used, strengthening hair and calming reddened skin. Medicinally, the True Myrtle has a plethora of uses for multiple ailments. The berries of the plant have been used in folk medicine as an astringent, a hair-tonic, an anti-inflammitory, and more. The leaves can be used as a laxative, and the root of the plant has been used for years in medicine due to its antibacterial properties. Also in folk medicine, a concoction of leaves and fruits is used as a drug to heal coughs and oral diseases as well as constipation and as an antihemorrhagic agent. The oil of the leaves has been esteemed in France for years as a disinfectant, and is also used in some respiratory and bladder diseases in hospitals all over Paris. Consuming the myrtle's fruits in earlier times was part of a healthy diet due to the berries high vitamin contents.
Many years ago in French hospitals, the fruit of the plant was used to bathe newborns in and the leaves used for enemas. There have been hundreds of uses for the plant documented in historical literature, and the plant carries hundreds of essential nutrients and vitamins and have been shown to help lower the blood-glucose level in diabetic patients. The plant has also been used in rituals and ceremonies dating back to Jewish liturgy and ancient Greece. In literature dating back to before the common era, myrtles were used as symbols of love and immortality as well as representing good deeds.
Today the True Myrtle is used widely as a garden plant as it was back in ancient Rome, but those who are aware of the plants many properties use it for much more. The essential oils of the plant are also still used for skincare products, soaps, perfumes, and candles. The leaves today are still used for teas and bay leaf subsitutes. The branches of the myrtle is also used for grilling, giving a spicy flavor to meats and vegetables. The herbal teas and oils made from the plant are used for their healing properties just like they were used hundreds of years ago in ancient times.
Many years ago in French hospitals, the fruit of the plant was used to bathe newborns in and the leaves used for enemas. There have been hundreds of uses for the plant documented in historical literature, and the plant carries hundreds of essential nutrients and vitamins and have been shown to help lower the blood-glucose level in diabetic patients. The plant has also been used in rituals and ceremonies dating back to Jewish liturgy and ancient Greece. In literature dating back to before the common era, myrtles were used as symbols of love and immortality as well as representing good deeds.
Today the True Myrtle is used widely as a garden plant as it was back in ancient Rome, but those who are aware of the plants many properties use it for much more. The essential oils of the plant are also still used for skincare products, soaps, perfumes, and candles. The leaves today are still used for teas and bay leaf subsitutes. The branches of the myrtle is also used for grilling, giving a spicy flavor to meats and vegetables. The herbal teas and oils made from the plant are used for their healing properties just like they were used hundreds of years ago in ancient times.
Current research
At Hamdard University in New Delhi, India, a recent study was conducted to investigate the effects of the True Myrtle's berries in gastric ulcers compared to methanolic extracts and standard drugs in rats (Mohd). For the study, the researchers divided the rats into groups of six, given either a placebo, standard drugs, or a mixture of water and the dried berries. The researchers found that the rats in the control group, given a standard "toxic" drug, were dying, but the statistics of ulcer treatment in the still living rats given the berries was incredibly significant in comparison. The results showed that given in low doses, the plant's berries are ulcer-protective compared to other gastric drugs, which proved fatal for the rats being tested on.
A study done in 2008 was done to investigate the efficacy of leaf and berry extracts against food-borne pathogens and bacteria to find out more about food contamination by microorganisms, which posed many health problems in the food industry. This study based its research on the growing demand from consumers of less synthetic additives and preservatives in food products. In order to meet consumers demands, researchers studied the natural antimicrobial properties in the True Myrtle (Amensour). During the study, leaves and berries from the plant were gathered and extracted with solvents methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate. The extracts of the solvents were then filtered and prepared for the plants. The results showed that the extracts from the leaves of the plant held the highest antibacterial activity and the berries showed the most potent.
In 2011, a study was published in Iran comparing the effects of plant oils (True Myrtle and Marigold) against a synthetic repellant
on human volunteers suffering from malaria and leishmaniasis (Tavassoli,M). Mosquitoes were used to bite the volunteers, and the bites were tested for allergic reactions. After being tested, the skin was treated with a solution including both marigold and the true myrtle oils. The results showed that the myrtle's essential oil can be used to safely prevent mosquito bites.
In a french study, the true myrtle's oil was tested on meat, to monitor its quality, growth, and oxidative stability. The study was done on quails, who were fed with a soy-bean and corn based diet infused with the myrtle's oils (Biricik). Birds fed over 1,000mg of the diet showed enhances in haematocrit and lower lipid oxidative stability after the meat was stored for fifteen days.
A study done in 2008 was done to investigate the efficacy of leaf and berry extracts against food-borne pathogens and bacteria to find out more about food contamination by microorganisms, which posed many health problems in the food industry. This study based its research on the growing demand from consumers of less synthetic additives and preservatives in food products. In order to meet consumers demands, researchers studied the natural antimicrobial properties in the True Myrtle (Amensour). During the study, leaves and berries from the plant were gathered and extracted with solvents methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate. The extracts of the solvents were then filtered and prepared for the plants. The results showed that the extracts from the leaves of the plant held the highest antibacterial activity and the berries showed the most potent.
In 2011, a study was published in Iran comparing the effects of plant oils (True Myrtle and Marigold) against a synthetic repellant
on human volunteers suffering from malaria and leishmaniasis (Tavassoli,M). Mosquitoes were used to bite the volunteers, and the bites were tested for allergic reactions. After being tested, the skin was treated with a solution including both marigold and the true myrtle oils. The results showed that the myrtle's essential oil can be used to safely prevent mosquito bites.
In a french study, the true myrtle's oil was tested on meat, to monitor its quality, growth, and oxidative stability. The study was done on quails, who were fed with a soy-bean and corn based diet infused with the myrtle's oils (Biricik). Birds fed over 1,000mg of the diet showed enhances in haematocrit and lower lipid oxidative stability after the meat was stored for fifteen days.
Creative Essay
In researching the True Myrtle, I have found that this beautiful garden shrub is not only used for landscaping and decoration, but is a major part of history, myth, ceremonies, and rituals. From biblical times to now, every part of this plant has been used for many different things. From cosmetics to medicine, this plant is a miracle worker providing humans with hundreds of beneficial uses. myrtus communis provides wounded or diseased patients in hospitals relief with its essential oils. I have also learned that these oils have been used throughout the years for perfumes and leave gardens smelling amazing. The berries are similar to blueberries with their dark blue color and their tart taste. The true myrtle serves as a symbol of love and is a major part of Greek literature and mythology, making this shrub an important part of the plant world, which makes it the most interesting of the trees I have studied.
Apa/sources used
Messaoud, Chokri. Laabidi, Abdelmonoem. Boussaid, Mohamed. (August 13, 2012) Journal of Food Science, Vol 77, Issue 9
Retrieved from: http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?sid=cdeaed59-55dc-40eb-b2ee-1ea408a45453%40sessionmgr13&vid=27&hid=6
Sumbul, Sabiha. Ahmad, M Aftab. Asif, M. Mohd, Akhtar. (December 2011). Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, Vol 2.
Retrieved from: http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/13336/3/IJNPR%202(4)%20395-402.pdf
M Tavassoli, M Shayeghi, MR Abai, H Vatandoost, M Khoobdel, M Salari, A Ghaderi, F Rafi. (Nov 2011). Repellency Effects of Essential Oils of Myrtle, Marigold,Compared with DEET against Anopheles stephensi on Human Volunteers.
Retrieved from: http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=27&sid=cdeaed59-55dc-40eb-b2ee-1ea408a45453%40sessionmgr13&hid=3
Amensour, Mahassine; Bouhdid, Samira; Fernandez-Lopez, Juana; Idaomar, Mohamed; Senhaji, Nadia Skali; Abrini, Jamal. (December 2008). International Journal of Food Properties, Antibacterial Activity of Extracts of Myrtus Communis Against Food-Borne Pathogenic and Spoilage Bacteria.
Retrieved From:
http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=27&sid=cdeaed59-55dc-40eb-b2ee-1ea408a45453%40sessionmgr13&hid=3
Sumbul, Sabiha, Mohd Aftab Ahmad, Asif, Mohd, Saud, Ibne, Akhtar, Mohd. (Nov 2010). Evaluation of Myrtus Communis Linn. berries in expirmental ulcer models in rats
Retireived from: http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?vid=27&sid=cdeaed59-55dc-40eb-b2ee-1ea408a45453%40sessionmgr13&hid=107&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=aph&AN=54640171
Retrieved from: http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?sid=cdeaed59-55dc-40eb-b2ee-1ea408a45453%40sessionmgr13&vid=27&hid=6
Sumbul, Sabiha. Ahmad, M Aftab. Asif, M. Mohd, Akhtar. (December 2011). Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, Vol 2.
Retrieved from: http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/13336/3/IJNPR%202(4)%20395-402.pdf
M Tavassoli, M Shayeghi, MR Abai, H Vatandoost, M Khoobdel, M Salari, A Ghaderi, F Rafi. (Nov 2011). Repellency Effects of Essential Oils of Myrtle, Marigold,Compared with DEET against Anopheles stephensi on Human Volunteers.
Retrieved from: http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=27&sid=cdeaed59-55dc-40eb-b2ee-1ea408a45453%40sessionmgr13&hid=3
Amensour, Mahassine; Bouhdid, Samira; Fernandez-Lopez, Juana; Idaomar, Mohamed; Senhaji, Nadia Skali; Abrini, Jamal. (December 2008). International Journal of Food Properties, Antibacterial Activity of Extracts of Myrtus Communis Against Food-Borne Pathogenic and Spoilage Bacteria.
Retrieved From:
http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=27&sid=cdeaed59-55dc-40eb-b2ee-1ea408a45453%40sessionmgr13&hid=3
Sumbul, Sabiha, Mohd Aftab Ahmad, Asif, Mohd, Saud, Ibne, Akhtar, Mohd. (Nov 2010). Evaluation of Myrtus Communis Linn. berries in expirmental ulcer models in rats
Retireived from: http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?vid=27&sid=cdeaed59-55dc-40eb-b2ee-1ea408a45453%40sessionmgr13&hid=107&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=aph&AN=54640171