BT-112 · Myrtaceae

Myrtle

Myrtus communis
Evidence: TraditionalGenerally safe

The province of Mersin is widely held to be named after this plant; another view links the name to the Mersinoğulları clan.

Other names
Common myrtle, murt, mersin (Turkish)
Part used
Leaves, berries
Region
Anatolia and the Mediterranean
Use
Healing, Ritual and shamanic, Food
Myrtle (Myrtus communis): white flower with long stamens
Photo: Burkhard Mücke · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
In short

What is Myrtle?

Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is a plant of the Myrtaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: leaves, berries.

What is Myrtle used for?

Traditional use: In Aegean and Mediterranean villages the leaves are boiled for coughs, diarrhoea and blood sugar, and the purple berries eaten. Scientific evidence: traditional. The antimicrobial effect of the leaf and oil has been shown in the lab.

Is Myrtle safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Leaf tea and berries are generally safe. Do not drink the essential oil or apply it to the faces of babies and young children.

Traditional use

Anatolia

In Aegean and Mediterranean villages the leaves are boiled for coughs, diarrhoea and blood sugar, and the purple berries eaten. In some places a myrtle sprig is placed on the bride’s head, and myrtle is planted on graves.

Ancient Mediterranean

Sacred to Aphrodite; bridal crowns were made of myrtle, and commanders who won without battle were crowned with it.

In nature

Where it grows
Coastal maquis and stream beds of the Aegean, Mediterranean and Marmara.
Harvest season
Leaves in early summer, berries November–December.
Local names
mersin, murt, hambeles

Mix-up risk

Do not confuse its purple berries with poisonous maquis berries; crushed myrtle leaves give a distinct, pleasant smell.

Preparation

Leaves are steeped or boiled; berries are eaten fresh or made into liqueur.

What science says

The antimicrobial effect of the leaf and oil has been shown in the lab. There are small clinical studies in sinusitis and mouth ulcers; evidence is limited.

Safety

Generally safe

Leaf tea and berries are generally safe. Do not drink the essential oil or apply it to the faces of babies and young children.

Similar plants

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica): hairy toothed leaves and hanging flower clusters
BT-004

Stinging nettle

Urtica dioica
Urticaceae
Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis): leaves and ripe black berries
BT-020

Bay laurel

Laurus nobilis
Lauraceae
Evidence: TraditionalGenerally safe
Olive leaf (Olea europaea): ripe black olives on the branch
BT-052

Olive leaf

Olea europaea
Oleaceae
Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe

Sources

  1. ResearchMyrtus communis’in tedavi edici değeri: güncel derleme
  2. BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
  3. Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Myrtus communis
  4. Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.

Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe

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