COMMON NAME: Red Myrtle, Corsican Pepper

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Myrtus communis

FAMILY NAME: Myrtaceae (Myrtle)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: North Africa

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: Spain, Corsica, Tunisia, Morocco, Italy, France

HISTORY INFORMATION: Since antiquity the leaves have been used for perfumes and food. The leaves and flowers were a major ingredient in "angel's water," a sixteenth century skin care lotion. Myrtle was a symbol of love because it was used in bridal bouquets or headdresses and the bridesmaids were to plant their myrtle to bring them love. Leaves are still found in potpourri and the oil is still used in cosmetics and perfumes.

GENERAL INFORMATION: There are several chemotypes of this plant. The typing seems to depend more on where it is grown, than how it is processed. Please pay close attention to country of origin when selecting myrtle. Ours currently is from Spain. Morocco appears to produce a cineole type, while Corsica produces linalool type. These oils are hard to obtain at this time. Green Myrtle has become popular lately, but it is very rare and very expensive.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: A large bush or tree with brownish-red bark growing to 18 feet high with tough, slender branches and small sharp pointed leaves bearing white flowers producing bluish-black edible berries.

PARTS PROCESSED: Leaves, twigs, flowering tops.

PROCESSING METHODS: Steam distilled.

COLOR RANGE: Light yellow - orange.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Chemotype variance. Most common: cineol, myretenol, pinene, geraniol, linalool, camphene.

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, astringent, balsamic, carminative, expectorant, hemostatic, nervine, parasiticide, sedative, tonic (skin). Used to calm, open sinus and breathing passages, uplift moods, refresh, help meditate, relieve pain.

MENTAL USES: Calms constant mental chatter or the overactive mind, focus on having no thoughts. I cannot lose what is mine. Before I can become a we or us, I need to be a whole I.

EMOTIONAL USES: Disoriented, busy but not productive, constant negative mental chatter, frustrating, beating yourself up with your thoughts TO quiet, calm, focused, alert, meditative, mental thinking supportive of self.

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate that you are living your dream, and you may not even know it. There may be many things, especially you, getting in your way. You may be working very hard at being the best you can be without realizing that you need to be quiet and know that you are the best. If there is anything you need to be doing, you will be guided. Myrtle also erases body memory from etheric field and is especially good for muscle or body work to release negative memory or trauma so that the body holds its new shape. It supports meditating, especially if you are very mental and have problems shutting down your mental chatter. It is time to stop distracting yourself with all that inner chatter and just be quiet.

APPLICATIONS: Aroma lamp, bath, compress, diffusor, inhaler, light bulb ring, liquid candle, massage, mist spray, salve, steam inhalation.

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Nontoxic.