Elder

In history, the elder plant is awash with folklore, romance, and superstition. Shakespeare used the plant as a symbol of grief and referred to it as “the stinking Elder” in Cymbeline. And in another one of his works, Love’s Labour Lost, he propagated the medieval belief that “Judas was hanged on an Elder.” Why people should identify the Elder with the traitor Apostle is puzzling but its constant reference in literature as Judas’ gallows subsequently caused superstition, magic, and fancies to hover over it.

Yet despite history’s treatment of the tree, it has from its earliest days managed to claim firmly on the popular affections of the people. Herbalists regarded it highly because of its many uses.

Health Benefits

The Elder, Sambucus nigra (Black Elder) is a medicinal chest by itself. Its uses are manifold and important. For years, it has been used for a whole range of things from dye-making, insect repellent, poultices, ointments, wines, jellies. Even the wood of the Elder tree was used to make musical instruments.

All parts of the tree can be used for medicinal purposes. The roots are the only exceptions. The Elder’s roots can induce vomiting and it has been found that some species of Sambucus are highly poisonous.

The flowers, whose smell some people detest, contain the flavonoids, rutin and quercertin which have anti-catarrhal properties. These same blooms of the Elder tree can also be used to cure inflammations due to swellings, bruises, sprains, and wounds. Aside from that, they have their beauty purposes too. The flowers have been known to whiten and soften the skin when used as a wash. As a tea, they are used as a laxative and have been known to promote perspiration and expectoration.

The Elder leaves are purgative with expectorant, diuretic, and diaphoric actions. Extracts derived from the Elder tree do not taste good so if you’re looking for a sweet-tasting herbal drink, you won’t find one made from Elder. Wine, however, now that’s possible.

You probably heard of Elderberry wine. Warm, smooth, and palatable. The berries of the tree are probably more on food uses than on the medicinal. However, the wine made from Elderberries may promote perspiration. Some people have used it as an alternative to laxative with its many aperient, diuretic, and emetic properties.

The bark of the tree is a strong purgative. It’s also an effective diuretic.

Dosage and Side Effects

The Elder tree has a few side effects that you need to watch out for. The roots, stems, leaves, and unripe berries may contain poisonous substances. These substances may induce nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. For a safe, internal use of elderberry, limit yourself to using the dried flowers or syrups made from ripe berries.

The general dosage of children is 1 teaspoon-1 tablespoon of black elderberry extract syrup. For adults, 2 teaspoons-2 tablespoons can be taken twice daily. Taken as a tea, use ½-1 teaspoon of dried flowers steeped in 1 cup boiling water for ten to fifteen minutes may be drunk three times per day.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle, or Silybum marianum, is described as an annual, winter annual, and biennial herb that belongs to the Asteraceae family. The main stem of the milk thistle is stout and ridged. The branches spread out, giving the plant an overall size of two to six feet tall. The most distinguishing characteristic of this plant is the white patches, or marbling found on the veins in sharp contrast the dark green background of the leaf blade.

The milk thistle has deeply lobed, broad leaves about 20 inches long and 10 inches wide. The leaf margins are yellow and tipped with woody spines. Each stem of the plant ends with a solitary flower, about two inches in diameter, with purple petals.

Milk thistle is considered detrimental to rangeland or pastures. This is because the plant is considered toxic to livestock with its high concentrations of accumulated nitrate. However, despite today’s concern for its apparent toxicity, one cannot displace the fact that as early as 23-79 A.D., the milk thistle was considered a medicinal plant.

Health Benefits

For thousands of years, the milk thistle plant has been used in Europe for purifying and protecting the liver. The early Christians dedicated the milk thistle to Mary, calling it Marian thistle. Science later on adopted this concept by bestowing upon it the name, Silybum marianus.

In the 19th century, the milk thistle acquired a reputation for curing varicose veins. Eclectics, physicians who used traditional means to treat diseases, used extracts from the plant to relieve varicose veins, menstrual difficulty, and congestion in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Herbalists also attributed properties of this plant as a stimulant. They used it to increase breast-milk production and secretion of bile.

One interesting concept in traditional medicine during these times was the association of bile and other bodily fluids with different personality types. Since milk thistle is linked with bile secretion, herbalists believed that the plant could be used to treat depression, which was, according to them, a disorder associated with “black bile.”

Today, the milk thistle is no longer seen as a remedy for depression or melancholy. This is partly because people no longer associate bile with moods and science has established this claim to be hollow. However, hundreds of medical studies have been able to substantiate the fact that the milk thistle indeed has properties that could protect and heal the liver.

As a cure for liver problems, milk thistle is believed to be a “cleanser.” About 95% of substances that we take into our body pass through the liver first before they are excreted through the intestinal passages. For this reason, the liver is the last stop for everything, including nutrients and waste products. By helping the liver get rid of the waste products, milk thistle aids in keeping the organ healthy and protecting it from bodily harm.

Milk thistle helps maintain the levels of glutathione in the liver. Glutathione is an amino acid-like compound that plays a critical role in neutralizing toxins. Scientific studies have consistently shown that milk thistle can help prevent the reduction of glutathione levels and sometimes even increase them by as much as 35%.

Buying Information

When considering milk thistle products, do not go for teas. Milk thistle as a tea is not effective and won’t improve any medical condition. This is because teas made from this herb contain only small amounts of silymarin, which dissolves poorly in water. Likewise, milk thistle leaves have no therapeutic value so avoid products containing this part of the herb.

Coriander Seed

Coriander seed is derived from an annual herb known as Coriandrum sativum and it is actually the typical term that is used to refer to the tiny ribbed brown fruit of this herb. For many centuries, the bright and delicate green leaves of this herb are applied as a form of culinary herb, hence coriander seed is also known as cilantro or Chinese parsley.

The coriander seed is basically indigenous to the Mediterranean Europe and West Africa. Now, it is widely cultivated in many countries especially those with temperate climates. In the ancient times and till now, the coriander seed is commonly applied as a flavoring especially to a variety of commercial foods, specifically frozen dairy desserts, beverages, puddings, and candies. And it is reported that the pleasing aromatic oil of the coriander seed is a typical ingredient applied in lotions, perfumes, as well as in creams.

But coriander seed is more than just a flavoring and a spice used in cooking. It has several medicinal benefits and it greatly promotes natural healing. Historically, in the ancient Greece, later in Great Britain, Rome, China, and India, the coriander seed is greatly used by some healers. It is particularly applied in traditional medicine for treating gastrointestinal disorders.

The coriander seed is also used in the traditional healing practice in India known as Ayurvedic medicine as it is mixed with the cardamom seed and caraway. In fact, some of the traditional European healers and herbalists prepared it along with caraway, fennel, and anise seeds.

The coriander’s oil which usually taken from the coriander seed has also been applied through the ages. The Egyptians particularly believed that it gives immorality and it was essential for enhancing a man’s sperm count. However, the coriander seed is now applied by the modern herbalists to treat stomachaches as well as to enhance the digestion. The coriander seed is also used in the recent times for the purpose of reducing stress for the people to be able to express their thoughts.

There are also some reports which noted that the coriander seed’s oil, as it contains geranial, vitamin C, linalool, and potassium, greatly helps in the proper functioning of the digestive system, and circulatory system. It is also good for the skin condition. Even those who have migraine headaches used this herb in a form of tea a couple of times every day for the reason that this herb has the potential for relieving the pain.

But even though there has a long story of the coriander seed’s folk applications and functions, still no exact research has been conducted to provide some concrete proofs for its effects in humans. But still many of the laboratory and animal studies along with the anecdotal evidence suggest that it has some effects as a mild digestive aid as it provides relief to flatulence, soothes upset stomach, and revive appetite. In addition, coriander seed has some properties for fighting fungal and bacterial infections, and it is reported to be diuretic.

Today, due to its multiple anecdotal and laboratory-based benefits to humans and its being rich in vitamins and minerals, the coriander seed now comes in the form of oil, liquid, fresh herb, dried herb or tea. The coriander seed is largely made available in the different health food stores.

Eucalyptus

The Eucalyptus globulus is a tree indigenous to Australia and Tasmania. There are about 300 species in the genus, making it one of the most characteristic genera of the Australian flora.

The Plant

The eucalyptus has leaves that are leathery in texture hanging obliquely or vertically from its stem. These leaves contain various glands that secret fragrant volatile oil which can be used for various medicinal purposes.

The eucalyptus has flowers, which when in bud are covered with a cup-like membrane, hence the name which means “well-covered.” When the flower expands and comes into full bloom, the bud membranes are thrown off as a lid. The eucalyptus fruit is surrounded by a woody, cup-shaped receptacle, containing numerous tiny seeds.

Eucalyptus trees grow quickly. Many of its species grow to a height of 480 feet, exceeding even that of the California giant sequoia. Eucalyptus trees yield timber but they are all the more valuable for the oil they produce. The oils derived from Eucalyptus leaves are roughly divided into three classes of commercial importance, the medicinal oils, the industrial oils, and the aromatic oils.

Medicinal Oil

Oil is extracted from Eucalyptus leaves by aqueous distillation. It is a colorless or straw-colored liquid substance with a characteristic odor and taste and soluble in its own weight of alcohol. Probably the most powerful antiseptic of its class, Eucalyptus oil has decided disinfectant action. It is most effective when it’s old and it can destroy the lower forms of life.

The most important constituent of Eucalyptus oil is eucalyptol. E. globulus species contains up to 70 per cent of eucalyptol, making it an effective disinfectant.

Internally, Eucalyptus oil acts like a typical volatile oil to a marked degree. It is a stimulant and can be used as an antiseptic gargle. If locally applied, Eucalyptus oil can impair sensibility and increase cardiac action. With its antiseptic properties, the oil from this plant may have some action against malaria but it’s not as powerful as the more traditional anti-malarial remedy, Cinchona.

Two of the major effects of Eucalyptus are its role in balancing and stimulation. Its middle note aroma, reminiscent of camphorous or woody scents make it an important ingredient in aroma therapy and as a nasal inhalant. Eucalyptus has many medicinal properties, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, and stimulant.

Eucalyptus can be used as an air disinfectant and a decongestant. It is used to fight asthma, bronchitis, treat burns, cuts, flu, and headaches. The strong aroma of eucalyptus acts as an effective insect repellant. It can treat muscle aches, rheumatism, sinusitis, skin ulcers, urinary infections, and wounds.

How to do a Steam Inhalation

Steam inhalation allows hot, moist air to enter the respiratory tract. Eucalyptus is known for its decongestant properties. By using the oil as a steam inhalation, your nasal passages and sinuses can be cleared.

To prepare a Eucalyptus steam inhalation, you need the following materials: kettle with boiling water, oil (E. globulus), sheet or large towel, and large bowl or container.

Once you have all these, carefully pour about 4-6 cubs of boiling water from the kettle into the large bowl. Then, add three drops of oil. Hold your head over the bowl, eyes looking down on it. Next, cover your head with the sheet or towel. Close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply. Do this for about 15 minutes until your nasal passages are cleared.

Chinese Cinnamon Bark

Chinese cinnamon bark is a useful bark of the medium-sized evergreen tree that is native to China and Vietnam. There are basically many species of cinnamon tree which is now widely cultivated particularly in the southwestern part of China, Cambodia, India, Japan, Java, Sri Lanka Sumatra, and Vietnam. Many herbalists believed that the Chinese cinnamon bark has great potential for treating several forms of disorders and discomforts. Thus, the Chinese cinnamon bark is applied in Chinese, Indian, and Western traditional medicine.

The Chinese cinnamon bark is traditionally used as a spice, so it is known as a popular flavoring in many cuisines, and it is then noted for its delicious aroma. Its name actually derives from the Greek word “kassia” which means “strip off the bark”.

There are basically a number of medicinal uses of the Chinese cinnamon bark. The first mentioned medicinal uses were first recorded in the Chinese formularies as early as 2700 B.C. Generally, Chinese cinnamon bark is applied as a healing aid for gas and stomach upset, rheumatism, diarrhea, abdominal pain, as well as some kidney ailments.

In addition, there is what they call as cinnamon “drops” which largely consists of the necessary cinnamon oils and cassia that are also widely applied for many of similar purposes. Since the Chinese cinnamon has an antiseptic quality, the Chinese cinnamon bark and the necessary oils that it contains are also useful for some topical products like the lotions, soaps, and liniments, including toothpaste and mouthwash.

The recent therapeutic applications of the Chinese cinnamon bark are usually founded in its conventional use as a traditional medicine and on some animal and clinical trials. Although there are some animal or test-tube clinical trials that do not ensure the safety and effectiveness of the Chinese cinnamon bark to humans, many German health authorities still agreed on the application of the Chinese cinnamon bark and cassia for those mild gastrointestinal tremors and also for rousing the appetite.

The various application of the Chinese cinnamon bark does not only end there. Chinese cinnamon bark is always combined with the several ingredients in a number of herbal formulations. In fact, only few have supported the claim that Chinese cinnamon bark can be used solely as a remedy; however, it has been examined in some clinical trials for its potential to treat a variety of diseases.

The only findings that come out after several clinical trials on the potential of the Chinese cinnamon bark for medicinal applications were conducted are the claims that the herb really aid proper digestion. Since it contains useful compounds known as catechins, which help relieve nausea, the herb’s oil found in the bark aids the body to process food by breaking down the fats during digestion. In relation, the herb’s bark also has the potential for relieving bloating as well as flatulence for the fact that the Chinese cinnamon bark functions as a carminative or gas reliever. As such, there is a great possibility that it may relieve mild abdominal discomfort that is mainly caused by excess gas.

For its various uses and functions, the Chinese cinnamon bark is now commercially available in the form of tea placed in tea bags at many health food outlets especially to those stores where it is always sold as a digestive aid.

Oak bark

The oak tree has been the source of medicinal uses for a long time already. Quercus alba is the most important medicinal oak tree in North America. Europeans used the variety Quercus robur and q. petraea for medicinal purposes.

The oak bark contains the tannin which us the most important healing part of the tree. This substance has astringent and mildly antiseptic qualities. The tannin is the main ingredient that makes the oak bark precious in treating minor wounds and inflammation for tightening tissue and lessening the oozing.

The oak bark has astringent qualities that make it effective for healing inflammatory skin conditions. Eczema, bleeding or infected skin sores, inflamed hemorrhoids and shingles lesions react well to oak bark. If you bathe in oak bark preparations could also provide relief to these diseases as well.

The oak bark’s strong tea form has anti-inflammatory qualities that makes it effective in treating sore throat and inflamed gums. Weaker oak bar’s tea formulation, capsules and liquid extracts can relieve acute diarrhea if it is not caused by another condition. The oak bark’s astringent tannins lower intestinal inflammation and related diarrhea. A commercial oak bark preparation called Litiax which is only found in Europe is currently used to treat kidney stones. The product is diuretic (water pill) and can reduce pain and inflammation and prevents the formation of new stones. Oak bark is also being considered to be used as treatment for vaginal infections. And the studies conducted with oak bark on animals reveal that it can possibly lower cholesterol.

Oak bark is commonly available as dried bark or liquid extract or tincture. A topical formulation for skin inflammation or other irritation is done by soaking a cloth in a strongly prepared tea and the compress is applied to the affected area three times daily. You can also avail of commercial bath formulations; just follow the instructions on the package. Do not take oak bark more than the recommended dosage as advised by the doctor or on the package.

Oak bark tea preparations can be done by simmering 1 teaspoon of finely chopped bark in 1 cup (8 ounces) of water for several minutes then strain. This is good for diarrhea or other internal problems. Drink three cups daily. If you prefer a liquid extract but don’t like the taste of the oak bark tea, just mix 1 teaspoon of extract in ¼ cup (2 ounces) of water. Drink the mixture three times a day.

Talk to your doctor before taking the oak bark preparations since oak bark is know to reduce or inhibit the absorption of other medicines. Skin that are severely burned or wounded should refrain from taking oak bark bath to prevent irritation. Since the bark of oak contains tannin (8% to 10%), this could cause gastrointestinal disturbances to sensitive individuals. If tannin is used excessively over prolong periods this could cause kidney damage although using oak bark has not caused this incidence. For pregnant or women that are breast-feeding talk to your doctor before using oak bark for any possible side effects.

Borage Oil

Borage oil is basically derived from the seeds of the borage plant (borago officinalis), which is a huge plant with blue color, star shaped flowers that is mostly found in parts of Europe and North Africa and is also naturalized in many places in North America.

All parts of the borage plant, from its stubbly stems to its blue star shaped blooms, have been used in many parts of the world for over centuries for its healing qualities. Aside from that, the borage plant is also used as a flavoring for foods. In fact, as early as the 1600s, it is reported that most Europeans blended the borage leaves and flowers into a wine that was reputed for reliving boredom and dispelling sadness.

However, the modern science has only found tidbits of evidence to support the claim that the herb itself has any therapeutic effects, many findings emerged that the borage oil that comes from the seed of the plant appear to aid in healing a number of conditions. From then on, the borage oil is said to be useful for treating rheumatoid arthritis as well as sorts of menstrual problems.

Numerous researches have found out that borage oil, just like the evening primrose oil and black currant seed oil, contains a powerful fatty acid known as gamma linolenic acid or GLA which contributes a large part in the medicinal effects of the borage oil. It is then considered that the borage oil owes its healing capabilities to the presence of such essential fatty acid which is also an omega-6 fatty acid. But unlike the evening primrose oil, the borage oil boasts more than twice as much GLA.

The said GLA in the borage oil is then processed for great results. Once the process is done, the GLA is then transformed into hormone-like substance that has either the ability to block inflammation or promote it. In the borage oil, the GLA is said to comfort inflammation, which then makes it the best solution for arthritis and some other inflammatory conditions.

Borage oil is more specifically used to lessen the aches and pains of rheumatoid arthritis, and it gives relief to the discomforts that are caused by PMS, endometriosis, and fibrocystic breasts for the reason that the borage oil blocks the production of inflammatory substances known as prostaglandins which are greatly emitted during menstruation. With that, the borage oil then reduces some of the breast tenderness that most women fell before their menstrual periods and so it calms the endometriosis-related inflammation.

Along with that, the borage oil is helpful for reducing the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis, as well as it clears up acne and rosacea. It also alleviate inflammation related with lupus, prevent nerve damage due to diabetes, fight damage from multiple sclerosis, ease cough, soothe throat disorders, treat Alzheimer’s-related memory deficiencies, reduce stress and high blood pressures, nourish nails, scalp, and hair, treat gout, and counter impotence and female infertility.

With its multiple uses and functions, borage oil is now popular in the form of softgel, oil, and capsule. Many experts suggested that taking the borage oil products with food may boost GLA absorption and lessen the unpleasant side effects. But the careful inspection of the dosage information contained in the label for borage oil still remains the best step to take before taking the supplement.

Tea tree oil

The leaves of Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) produces oil which has been used by Australian for centuries to treat skin infections. This fragrant oil smells similar to that of nutmeg. Tea tree only grows in Australia. Right now, Australia is the major source of tea tree oil which exports some 700 tons annually. Pure tea tree oil is colorless to pale yellow. It is often called as ‘melaleuca oil’.

There is a number of health benefits associated with this herbal medicine. Tea tree oil with high quality contains 40% or more of terpinen-4-ol, which is the major ingredient that combats harmful bacteria and fungi. It is the component that makes tea tree oil effective in treating cuts, scrapes, insect bites and stings. Other benefits one can derived from tea tree oil include:

- It treats cuts, scrapes, insect bites, stings, minor skin wounds and irritations. The oil changes the chemical barrier of the skin making it inhospitable to fungi and other organisms.

- It fights fungal nail infections, jock itch and athlete’s foot. Tea tree oil is effective in fighting Trichophyton, the fungus that causes a number of topical infections such as athlete’s foot and jock itch.

- It minimizes the course of vaginal yeast infections. It is effective in countering the causes which are Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis.

- It can control acne. Preparations of up to 15% of tea tree oil can treat even the severe case of acne due to its antic-acne properties.

- It treats dandruff and head lice. 5% solution of tea tree oil is effective in combating Pityrosporum ovale, a fungus which cause dandruff.

- It stops warts by stopping the virus.

Tea tree oil comes in suppository, oil, gel and cream formulations. In order to get the most benefit out of tea tree oil, find a product that is derived only from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree. Other species have higher percentage of cineole which can cause skin irritation and lessens the oil’s benefits.

To treat minor skin wounds, insect bites and stings and irritations, cleanse the wound then apply one or two drops of tea tree oil to the affected area twice or three times daily.

To treat nail infections, rub tea tree oil on the nail twice daily.

To treat athlete’s foot, apply the oil or cream to the areas affected twice daily and/or use it in a foot bath. For foot bath, put 20 drops of tea tree oil in small basin of warm water, soak the feet for 15 minutes two or three times a day. Dry the feet then apply a drop or two of oil to the affected area.

To treat vaginal yeast infections, use tea tree oil vaginal suppository every 12 hours for a maximum of five days.

To treat acne, put a drop or two to each acne lesion three times daily.

To treat warts, put few drops on small gauze and tape it over the wart at bedtime then remove in the morning. Continue until wart heals.

In buying the product, the following pointers might help:

- Make sure that M. alternifolia is one of the first ingredients listed in the tea tree oil.

- Tea tree oil can be found in skin care and beauty products such as shampoo and soaps. Research if the product can give you the benefits of tea tree oil.

- Some toothpaste also contains tea tree oil but in very small quantity. This amount is not enough to fight bacteria in the mouth though.

- Do not ingest tea tree oil. It is strictly for external use only. If ingest accidentally, call the doctor.

There are no known drugs or nutrient interaction with tea tree oil. Possible side effects of tea tree oil include skin irritation for those with sensitive skin. It can also cause allergies in some people.

Horsetail

A plant left over from prehistoric times, horsetail, or Equisetum arvense, is a bushy native perennial that is most often found in open fields, hence its name “arvense” derived from Latin “arvum,” meaning “filed, cultivated land, plowed land.” Instead of producing flowers, the field horsetail plant has spores like its cousin, the fern. It is believed to be a descendant of a huge fernlike plant that covered the planet some 200 million years ago.

To the Romans, the horsetail was nothing but the plant to use when cleaning their pots and pans and make them nonstick, courtesy of silica present in it. Medieval people used it as a finishing for cabinets and other wood crafts.

The Plant:

The horsetail plant is widely distributed throughout the temperate climate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, including Asia, North America, and Europe. The plant is unique in that it barely has leaves with thin, gangly stems.

One variety of horsetail resembles the asparagus save for its brown color and spore-containing cones on top and typically grows in the spring. In the summer, when the plant reaches its maturity peak, it branches out into think, green, sterile stems that look like a feathery tail.

Health Benefits:

Horsetail is best known for its wound-healing properties. Decades before the first Western man came to settle in American, the natives were using horsetail as a poultice to treat open wounds and speed up the healing process. The ashes of horsetail fern stems were used by the Thompson tribe in British Columbia to treat burns. Galen, the Roman physician famous in herbal lore, recommended the plants use as a kind of folk remedy for kidney and bladder troubles. This was later on adapted by several cultures.

The main constituent found in horsetail that makes it a potent wound-healing herb is silica. The plant is rich in silicic acid and silicates, providing approximately 2-3 percent elemental silicon. These substances are easily absorbed. Because of this, they can be utilized to facilitate calcium absorption. In this regard, the plant may therefore be used to promote bone growth and collagen formation, possibly giving it anti-arthritic properties.

Other useful elements contained in the herb include potassium, aluminum, manganese, calcium, and fifteen different types of bioflavonoids. The diuretic properties of the herb are attributed to the high concentration of bioflavonoids.

Subsequent studies on horsetail as a diuretic led to the plant’s chief use as a mild diuretic. It is used as a water pill to increase urination and lessen swelling. It is also used as an herbal remedy for various bladder and kidney problems, including kidney stones and bladder infections.

Various scientists examined the plant to try to identify the compound that is responsible for its diuretic action. They discovered several compounds that appeared to promote fluid loss. These are equisetonin and flavone glycosides. The property of horsetail to promote water loss led people to believe that it can be effective as a weight loss agent. However, this claim remains unfounded.

Horsetail could also have positive effects against bed-wetting and urinary incontinence. The plant provides silica which strengthens connective tissues and reduces urinary tract irritation. Silica may also promote tissue repair and healing for people with bursitis, emphysema, and hemorrhoids.

Buying Information

The herb is available in many forms, such as fluid extracts, tea, tincture, powder, or extracts. If you take horsetail for urinary problems, be sure to get the fluid form. Also, drink lots of water so as to increase urination and potentially cure water loss.

Myrtle

Myrtle is characterized by evergreen leaves that contain aromatic volatile oils. Many varieties of myrtle produce showy blossoms, gums, and resins. The tree produces black berries which, along with the leaves, are used mostly for aromatherapy.

Health Benefits

The use of myrtle can be traced back to the time of the ancient Greeks. It was said that athletes wore evergreen wreaths of myrtle leaves around their crowns during the Olympics. Believing that it was a symbol of immortality, they also used it in many love potions and treatments for different ailments.

During the time of the Romans, myrtle was used to treat respiratory and urinary problems. The Egyptians used it for nervous afflictions. In France, the women drank tea made from crushed myrtle leaves to preserve the youthfulness of their appearance and their overall vigor. And at one time in history, there were even some talks of the myrtle tree as a cure for cancer, but little evidence was found concerning this.

Traditionally, myrtle was used to treat coughs and various types of respiratory infections, such as bronchitis. Because of its astringent properties, it has also gained a reputation for promoting good digestion, treating urinary tract disorders, and prevention infections in wounds. According to modern laboratory studies, the herb contains substances that are anti-inflammatory, making it a good astringent compound. This likely explains the plant’s enduring use for wounds and coughs.

Aside from healing wounds, myrtle is said to be anti-infective and is a good tonic for speeding up the healing process. In the Middle East, it has long been viewed by traditional healers as a useful herb for diabetes. The 1980s saw scientists placing the myrtle herb under the microscope in an attempt to identify the active ingredients that lends it its various medicinal properties.

Results of one study indicated that extract from the herb can lower down blood sugar in mice. This explains the association linking myrtle with diabetes. However, there is still no clear proof that the herb is safe to use and effective for people who have the disease.

Guidelines for Use

Myrtle extract is made from plant’s leaves and seeds. Most tests have shown positive effects if the plant extract is taken orally and in liquid form. A typical dose is usually around 1 to 2 ml of the essential oil daily. Make sure that you ask your doctor first before taking it.

Topical formulations are also in practice although not common. Again, be sure to use this plant only under your doctor’s supervision.

There are two varieties of myrtle. Take care that you do not confuse the two. Myrtus communis, the “true” myrtle, is the plant mentioned here. The other variety, called “Madagascar” myrtle (Eugenia jambolana) is a completely different plant and has entirely different effects on the body.

Myrtle is known to work well with other herbs and nutritional supplements. However, avoid using it if you’re taking insulin or oral sulfonylureas. The herb may boost the blood glucose, lowering the effect of these medications.

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