[[File:Myrtle.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Myrtus communis]]
Other Names: Arrayán, Common Myrtle, Mirto, Murta, Myrte, Myrte Commun, Herbe du Lagui, Myrti Aetheroleum, Myrti Folium, Myrtus communis, Nerte, Roman Myrtle, True Myrtle<br>Myrtus communis [common myrtle], is a native shrub in the Middle East. It grows in all the countries that border the Mediterranean. Countries where myrtle is native include: Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, France, Spain, Greece, and Italy. It has been brought to southern Britain and southern France. The oil can be extracted from the leaves, branches, and berries. The oil that is most commonly used medicinally is extracted from the leaves. This oil will be liquid at room temperature. The color will range from clear to greenish-yellow to yellow-very-light-orange. Its aroma is reminiscent of frankincense or bay. Some examples of myrtle oil have a slight hint of camphor or eucalyptus. The oil from the myrtle berries is used as a flavoring for drinks and alcoholic beverages throughout the Mediterranean Area.
==Special Precautions of Myrtle==
* The oil of myrtle is UNSAFE. It contains a chemical that can cause asthma-like attacks and lung failure. Myrtle can also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, blood circulation disorders, and other problems.
*There isn't enough information to know if using the leaf Potentially carcinogenic, based on estragole and branch of myrtle is safemethyleugenol content.
*Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It’s UNSAFE to take myrtle by mouth if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Don’t use it.
*Children: Myrtle is UNSAFE for children. Even simple facial contact with the oil can cause breathing problems and death in infants and small children.
* See Precautions [[aromatherapy]].
==Benefits and uses of Myrtle are==
Myrtle (Myrtus communis L., Myrtaceae) is a medicinal herb that is used in traditional medicine in many parts of the world. Its berries, leaves and fruits have been used extensively as a traditional folk medicine for the treatment of disorders such as diarrhea, peptic ulcer, hemorrhoids, inflammation, pulmonary and skin diseases. Clinical and experimental research studies suggest that the essential oil of myrtle possesses an even broader range of benefits, which include antioxidative, anticancer, anti-diabetic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It also protects the liver (hepatoprotective) and the nervous system (neuroprotective)
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Aromatherapy]]
[[Category:Essential oil]]
[[Category:Astringent]]