The Common Myrtle (Myrtus Communis) is a small evergreen tree with dainty aromatic leaves, bearing an abundance of sweetly-scented, star-like, white flowers throughout summer. Primarily native to the Mediterranean region, myrtle is commonly found growing across Southern Europe since it is well-adapted to the dry soils and temperate conditions found there. The common myrtle also grows in western Asia and across India, while other varieties, such as the Saharan myrtle, can only be found in certain parts of Africa. It is said that the early Greeks picked up the word ‘Myrtle’ from ancient Semitic sources that shared the same root as ‘myrrh’, the aromatic gum-resin used for ritual purification in the ancient world. The name ‘Myrtle’ is also directly derived from the Greek term ‘myrtos’, the herb of love.
It is therefore not surprising that the earliest symbolic meanings ascribed to the myrtle plant comes from ancient Greece. In Greek mythology, myrtle was sacred to the goddess Aphrodite – associated with love, beauty and pleasure. Myrtle trees were planted in Aphrodite’s temple gardens and she was commonly depicted with a myrtle crown or wreath. One of the female ‘Graces’ in the sanctuary in the ancient Greek city of Elis held a myrtle branch to symbolise that the myrtle, along with the rose, was sacred to Aphrodite. The Greeks believed a myrtle garland signified the same as an olive branch, ie peace, victory and prosperity. According to their mythology, myrtle was also sacred to Demeter – the goddess of grain, good harvest, growth and nourishment so the tree was especially auspicious for agriculture.
Similar to the Greeks association of myrtle with Aphrodite, the Romans dedicated it to their goddess of love, Venus. According to legend, at her miraculous birth when she arose out of the sea, she was carrying a sprig of myrtle. Another myth tells of how Venus visited the island of Cytheraea but upon her arrival, she found herself naked and so had to clothe herself immediately. Finding a myrtle tree growing nearby, she covered herself with it’s flowering branches to protect her innocence. Another story relates how Venus transformed one of her priestesses called ‘Myrrh’ into a myrtle tree in order to protect her from an over eager suitor. It was a myrtle wreath with which Paris crowned Venus when he selected her as the most beautiful of all goddesses.
For centuries throughout the Mediterranean region, fragrant sprigs of myrtle have been included in wedding bouquets to symbolise the bride’s love and beauty, and it is still a popular European custom today. A sprig of myrtle from Queen Victoria’s wedding bouquet was planted as a slip which grew into a mature tree, and sprigs from it have continually been included in royal wedding bouquets. Although the rose is perhaps the most well-known symbol of love and passion in Western culture, the delicate white flowers of the myrtle tree have a rich, traditional symbolism which is just as ancient and widespread.
Even today, myrtle is commonly used in bouquets at weddings and on special occasions, such a Valentine’s Day, to symbolize love, beauty and loyalty. Throughout Europe and across the Middle East, the folklore associated with myrtle suggests a common symbolism of romance, devotion, beauty and love. To the Persians, Jews and Arabs, myrtle was a symbol of paradise. In a spiritual context, the myrtle flower can also symbolise purification and rebirth, while in the language of flowers, the white or creamy colour of its blossoms represent purity, hope and innocence.
The Myrtus genus is part of the large botanical Myrtaceae family. This family includes many other valuable aromatic plants which produce essential oils, such as like cloves, allspice, tea tree and eucalyptus. Myrtle essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from the flowers, leaves and twigs and has a fresh-camphoraceous, balsamic and slightly spicy aroma. The colour of the oil ranges from clear to greenish-yellow and it’s main constituents are cineol, myrtenol and pinene, having a scent that is somewhat similar to bay leaf.
In Europe, myrtle was famous as a beauty oil: a key ingredient of ‘Angel’s Water’, a tonic used to purify and brighten the skin. In the perfume industry, eau d’ange is distilled from myrtle flowers and leaves and used to scent soaps and toiletries. The oil also has good deodorant properties and is commonly used in eau-de-colognes. In aromatherapy, the essential oil is effective used in topical skin care treatments for severe cases of acne. The combined astringent and antiseptic actions are also valuable for greasy skin which is commonly associated with acne.
Myrtle essential oil inhibits infection, since it is a bactericidal, germicidal, fungicidal and antiviral agent. In this respect it has some similarities to tea tree oil and supports the immune system. Due to it’s powerful antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, the oil it is effective against many types of respiratory infections such as bronchitis, asthma, coughs and colds. Used in a room vaporiser, it helps clears congestion from the nose and lungs resulting from colds, coughs and other types of airborne infections.
Myrtle essential oil also support the nervous system and can help prevent stress and conditions such as vertigo, anxiety, nervous tension and depression from becoming chronic when it is used regularly at home in baths, vaporisers or in body oils.
NOTE: The so called ‘Lemon Myrtle’ with a powerful citrus fragrance is derived from a different genus (Backhousia Citriodora) which is native to Australia.
