Botanical Name: Myrtus Communis Common name: Myrtle, Plant Read More
Botanical Name: |
Myrtus
Communis |
Common name: |
Myrtle, |
Plant
family: |
Myrtaceae |
Genus: |
Myrtus |
Appearance/Color: |
Reddish Brown liquid with thin consistency |
Odor: |
Myrtle
Essential Oil has a clear, fresh scent that is mildly camphoraceous, similar
to that of Eucalyptus with medium aroma middle note. |
Blends With: |
Benzoin, Bergamot, Elemi, Eucalyptus, Black Pepper, Cedar Wood,
Frankincense, Myrrh, Neroli, Rose, Ho Wood, Hyssop, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon,
Lemongrass, Clary Sage, Coriander, Melissa, Rosewood, and Ylang-Ylang. |
Origin: |
France |
Source: |
Leaves |
Method
of Extraction: |
Steam
Distillation |
Myrtus communis, commonly called
myrtle, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to the
Mediterranean region. It typically grows to 5-6’ tall but may reach 15-20’ over
time. Pointed, opposite (sometimes whorls), ovate to lanceolate, glossy dark
green leaves (to 2” long) are strongly aromatic when bruised. White aromatic
flowers (3/4”) with many yellow tipped stamens bloom in late spring/summer
(May-July). Flowers are followed by blue-black berries. Berries are edible and
may be eaten raw but are at best moderately tasteful. Dried flowers, leaves and
fruits are used to flavor foods. Leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for
bay leaves. Fresh flowers may be added to salads. Wood and leaves are added to
charcoal to flavor grilled meats.
Myrtle
is an evergreen shrub with fragrant white or pink flowers. It is native to
North Africa but is commonly found in the southern Mediterranean region
including France, Spain, Corsica, Tunisia and Italy. Myrtle essential oil is
steam distilled from the leaves and twigs and sometimes the flowers.
Myrtle is a wild aromatic plant
that laboratorial works have demonstrated the insecticidal, antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of myrtle essential oils (EOs).
The biological activities, generally low or moderate depended on the organism
(insecticidal) and microorganism and on the chemical composition. Generally,
the contribution of the components on the biological activities was not
determined; nevertheless, they were generally attributed to the presence of the
main components (1,8-cineole, ?-pinene, eugenol, methyleugenol, myrtenyl
acetate, among other components depending on the property). The antioxidant
activity of myrtle oil was predominantly determined in cell-free methods,
though very few works also used cell model methods. In all cases, the
activities were also low to moderate due to the absence of phenol compounds.
The term "wild" when applied to plants or plant
species refers to those that grow spontaneously in self-maintaining populations
in natural or semi-natural ecosystems and can exist independently of direct
human action. Venkatramna Industries have selective wild varieties of
species which are being conserved to obtain oil and this is one of them. These
species are the wild species (Original of their genera), means they are not
Genetically modified (GMO), Non-Hybrid and
no artificial or desired characters were induced. Collectively we call them Wild
Crafted Essential Oils.
Myrtle's leaves and fruits have been widely
used as folk medicine for the treatment of digestive, pulmonary and skin
problems in many parts of the world. Its essential oil, which possesses much of
the healthful properties of the plant, is also popular among aromatherapy
practitioners.
Myrtle Oil in Pharma
Myrtle essential oil has
been used for treating acne, oily skin, and loose pores especially around the
Mediterranean even from the Middle Ages (Li et al. 2018; Battaglia 1997), being
known as a soft, mild sort of oil with effects for
reproduction, convergence, and prevention of allergy. Myrtle essential oil is
suitable substance to apply on wounds. It does not let microbes infect the
wounds and thus protects against sepsis and tetanus, in case of an iron object
being the cause of the damage.
Essence of Myrtle oil
Myrtle essential oil has clarifying,
cleansing, refreshing and uplifting properties. It is said to be an oil that is
emotionally cleansing, curbing self-defeating feelings and addictions. Myrtle
essential oil helps to eliminate foul odors. It can be used in incense sticks
and burners, fumigants and vaporizers as room fresheners. It can also be used
as a body deodorant or perfume. It has no side effects like itching, irritation
or patches on the skin like certain commercial deodorants.
COMMON
USAGE
·
Astringent
Properties
·
Eliminates
Bad Odor
·
Prevents
Infections
·
Expectorant
·
Maintains
Healthy Nerves
·
Relaxes
the Body
·
Aphrodisiac
·
Eases
Breathing
·
Cures
Infections
Ingredients:
S.No |
Key Constituents |
Strength (%) |
1 |
b-Caryophyllene |
11.0 |
2 |
b-Myrcene |
9.5 |
3 |
(þ)-Limonene |
7.2 |
4 |
d-Cadinene |
4.7 |
5 |
a-Caryophyllene |
4.4 |
6 |
a-Phellandrene |
4.2 |
7 |
Germacrone |
3.7 |
8 |
g-Elemene |
3.3 |
9 |
a-Cadinolþunidentified |
2.9 |
10 |
a-Selinene |
2.6 |
11 |
p-Cymene |
2.5 |
12 |
(E)-b-Ocimene |
2.3 |
13 |
a-Longipinene |
1.7 |
14 |
(Z)-b-Ocimene |
1.7 |
15 |
Selin-11-en-4-ol |
1.7 |
16 |
(E)-Nerolidol |
1.5 |
17 |
Caryophyllene oxide |
1.2 |
18 |
1,8-Cineole |
1.1 |
19 |
a-Bisabolol |
1.0 |
TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Safety Summary
·
Hazards: Drug
interaction; potentially carcinogenic, based on estragole and methyleugenol
content.
Diabetes
medication.
Maximum
adult daily oral dose 65 mg
Maximum
dermal use level
EU 0.02%
IFRA 0.04%
Tisserand &
Young 1.9%
Safety advice
Recommended maximum adult daily
oral dose of 65 mg for each myrtle oil, based on limits of 0.05 mg/kg/day for
estragole, and 0.01 mg/kg/day for methyleugenol. We also recommend a dermal
maximum of 1.9% for myrtle oils based on either 1.4% estragole and 0.8%
methyleugenol content or 0.2% estragole and 1.0% methyleugenol content, and
dermal limits of 0.12% and 0.02% for estragole and methyleugenol, respectively.
Regulatory guidelines
IFRA recommends a maximum dermal
use level for estragole of 0.01% in leave-on or wash-off preparations for body
and face. IFRA recommends a maximum concentration of 0.0004% methyleugenol in
leave-on products such as body lotions. The equivalent SCCNFP maximum is
0.0002%
Organ Specific Effects
·
Adverse skin reaction: Regulatory guidelines IFRA recommends a
maximum dermal use level for estragole of 0.01% in leave-on or wash-off
preparations for body and face. IFRA recommends a maximum concentration of
0.0004% methyleugenol in leave-on products such as body lotions. The equivalent
SCCNFP maximum is 0.0002%.
·
Cardiovascular
effects: Myrtle oil
reduced blood glucose by 51% in alloxan-diabetic rabbits four hours after an
oral dose of 50 mg/kg, but had no affect serum insulin concentrations.
Systemic Effects
·
Acute
Toxicity: Acute oral LD50
in rats reported as >5 g/kg; acute dermal LD50 in rabbits >5 g/kg. and
3.68 mL/kg . Acute oral LD50 in mice 2.23 mL/kg.
·
Antioxidant/pro-oxidant activity Two
myrtle oils exhibited moderate DPPH scavenging activity with IC50 values of
5.99 and 6.24 mg/mL
·
Carcinogenic/anti carcinogenic potential: Myrtle oil has demonstrated weak-to-moderate
antimutagenic activity. Estragole and methyleugenol are rodent carcinogens;
(þ)-limonene has demonstrated anticarcinogenic activity.
·
Drug
interactions: Antidiabetic medication, because of cardiovascular
effects, above.
ECOLOGICAL
INFORMATION
Toxicity
·
Acute fish toxicity: LC50 / 96 HOUR – No
data available
·
Toxicity to aquatic plants – No data
available
·
Toxicity to microorganisms – No data
available
·
Toxicity threshold – No data available
·
Persistence and degradability:
Biodegradation is expected
·
Bio-accumulative potential:
Bioaccumulation is unlikely
·
Mobility in soil: Unknown
Avoid exposure to marine environments and waterways