Anisha Riggs
The art of perfumery has existed for thousands of years, with ancient civilisations such as the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks all utilising fragrant oils, herbs, flowers, and spices to create perfumes. The process of extracting oils from flowers through distillation, which is still commonly used today, was introduced by the Persian chemist Ibn Sina. The myrtus communis, or common myrtle, is a shrub native to the Mediterranean region, Macaronesia, western Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Its fragrant essential oil, extracted from its leaves, is particularly interesting for perfumery, imparting an aromatic herbal note to a scent. The myrtle plant, with its white flowers and purple berries, holds symbolic significance in various cultures and is used in culinary applications as well.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Mediterranean basin, North Africa, and Europe |
| Plant type | Evergreen shrub or small tree |
| Method of extraction | Steam distillation from leaves, twigs, and sometimes flowers |
| Characteristics of the essential oil | Clear, fresh tone similar to eucalyptus with sweetly herbaceous notes and subtle camphoraceous undertones |
| Chemical constituents | Primarily cineol, and also myrtenol, pinene, geraniol, linalol, and camphene |
| Therapeutic actions | Anti-catarrhal, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidal, expectorant, sedative, and uplifting |
| Method of use | Massage, compress, bath, skincare, inhalation, diffuser, vaporiser, room fragrance |
| Blends with | Bergamot, lavender, rosemary, clary sage, hyssop, bay leaf, lime, laurel, ginger, clove |
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What You'll Learn
- Myrtus communis is a shrub or small tree native to the Mediterranean, North Africa and Europe
- Steam distillation of its leaves, twigs and flowers produces essential oil
- The oil has a fresh, woody, green, herbaceous scent with sweet and spicy notes
- It is used in aromatherapy to balance emotions, soothe anger and lift the mood
- In ancient Greece and Rome, myrtle was associated with the goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus
Myrtus communis is a shrub or small tree native to the Mediterranean, North Africa and Europe
Myrtus communis, or common myrtle, is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. It is native to Southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, Macaronesia, and the Indian Subcontinent. It is also cultivated in gardens and parks. The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree, typically growing to a height of between one and five metres. The leaves are small, measuring between two and five centimetres in length, and have a delicate aromatic fragrance when crushed. The essential oils derived from the plant have anti-proliferative and anti-quorum sensing properties, which help against food spoilage.
Myrtle has been widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, often used as a hedge. It is characterised by its small, neat leaves and its numerous flowers in late summer. It requires a long, hot summer to produce its flowers and protection from winter frosts. The flowers are white or tinged with pink, with five petals and many stamens that protrude from the flower. The fruit of the plant is an edible blue-black berry when ripe.
Myrtle has been used in herbal medicine in Mediterranean countries and is known to contain high amounts of hydrolysable tannins and flavonoid glycosides. The essential oils derived from the plant also have antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, making them useful in food preservation.
In terms of its use in perfumery, myrtle may not be particularly common, with only about three hundred fragrances featuring it in one database. However, it has long held an honourable place among aromatic plants. The essential oils derived from the plant are used in perfumery, and the plant is also used to make liqueurs.
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Steam distillation of its leaves, twigs and flowers produces essential oil
Myrtle, or Myrtus communis, is a fragrant evergreen shrub or small tree native to Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean basin. It has been praised and valued since ancient times, with a long history of use in perfumery. Steam distillation of its leaves, twigs, and occasionally flowers, produces a clear essential oil with a fresh, sweetly herbaceous scent similar to eucalyptus.
The process of steam distillation involves heating the plant material with steam to release the volatile oils. The steam, carrying the oil, is then condensed back into a liquid state, separating the oil from the plant matter. This technique is commonly used for extracting essential oils from various plants due to its effectiveness and ability to preserve the delicate aromatic compounds.
The essential oil of Myrtus communis has a complex fragrance profile, combining woody, green, fresh, slightly bitter, and herbaceous notes with subtle floral, sweet, and spicy undertones. This multifaceted aroma has been a source of inspiration for poets and writers, often associated with divinity and love. The plant was also believed to be favoured by the goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus, further enhancing its symbolic significance.
The chemical constituents of the oil include cineol, myrtenol, pinene, geraniol, linalol, and camphene. Beyond its use in perfumery, the oil has therapeutic properties and is employed in aromatherapy for its uplifting, antiseptic, and soothing qualities. It can be used in massages, baths, skincare, inhalation, and room fragrances, offering a range of wellness benefits.
The distillation process may vary slightly depending on the specific region and the desired scent profile. Including the flowers in the distillation can introduce subtle variations in the oil's aroma, resulting in different olfactory experiences across regions. This adaptability in the distillation process allows perfumers and aromatherapists to create unique and distinctive fragrances.
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The oil has a fresh, woody, green, herbaceous scent with sweet and spicy notes
Myrtle, or Myrtus communis, is a genus of flowering plants native to southern Europe and North Africa. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 5 meters tall and has elegant, narrow oval and dark green leaves. Steam distillation of the leaves, twigs, and sometimes flowers yields myrtle oil, which has a complex, multifaceted fragrance.
The scent of myrtle oil is described as fresh, woody, green, herbaceous, and slightly bitter, with subtle camphoraceous undertones. It has sweet and spicy notes, giving it a multifaceted and divine aroma. The oil's freshness is akin to eucalyptus, another plant from the Myrtaceae genus. The chemical constituents of myrtle oil primarily include cineol, myrtenol, pinene, geraniol, linalol, and camphene.
In aromatherapy, myrtle essential oil is valued for its therapeutic properties, including its ability to uplift the mood, soothe negative thoughts, and cleanse the emotions. It is also used in massage, compresses, baths, skincare, inhalation, diffusers, and room fragrances.
Myrtle has a long and honorable history in perfumery and mythology. The Greeks and Romans associated it with the goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus, and it is said to be the first fragrant flower in Middle Eastern tradition. While myrtle may not be a common ingredient in modern perfumery, with only about 300 fragrances featuring it, it remains a symbol of grace and love, with its perfume believed to recall Heaven.
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It is used in aromatherapy to balance emotions, soothe anger and lift the mood
Myrtle, or Myrtus communis, is an evergreen shrub that grows in areas around the Mediterranean basin, including North Africa, Western Asia, and Southern Europe. It has since expanded to include Australia, the northwestern Himalayas, and South America. The plant has a long history of use in traditional medicine and as a food preservative. The leaves of the Myrtus communis are used to treat a variety of conditions, including inflammation, peptic ulcers, diarrhea, headaches, and skin diseases.
Myrtle essential oil, extracted from the Myrtus communis plant, is known for its therapeutic properties in aromatherapy. It is renowned for its ability to balance emotions, soothe anger, and uplift the mood. The oil's aroma is believed to promote emotional equilibrium, fostering a sense of calm and easing feelings of anger or irritability.
Myrtle essential oil's therapeutic benefits extend beyond aromatherapy. It has been traditionally used in folk medicine to address various health concerns. The oil's antiseptic and tonic properties make it a valuable remedy for treating skin diseases, inflammation, and excessive perspiration. Additionally, its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties have been recognized in scientific studies, showcasing its potential for a wide range of therapeutic applications.
The essential oil of Myrtus communis is generally safe for inhalation, oral ingestion, and topical application. Its versatility as a natural remedy makes it a preferred choice for those seeking holistic approaches to wellness.
While Myrtle may not be a common ingredient in modern perfumery, with only about 300 fragrances featuring it in databases, it holds a revered place in the world of aromatic plants. Its fresh and distinctive scent, combined with its therapeutic properties, makes it a unique and appealing ingredient in niche fragrances.
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In ancient Greece and Rome, myrtle was associated with the goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus
Myrtle, or Myrtus communis, is a fragrant plant that has been used in perfumery and held a significant place in ancient cultures. In ancient Greece and Rome, myrtle was associated with the goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus, making it a symbol of love, beauty and femininity.
In Greek mythology, myrtle was sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion, procreation and sexuality. Myrtle trees were planted in Aphrodite's temple gardens, and she was often depicted with a myrtle crown or wreath. The Greeks believed that a myrtle garland symbolised peace, victory and prosperity, just like the olive branch. One Greek myth recounts that Aphrodite, when born, hid behind a myrtle plant to escape the gaze of the satyrs, thus making the plant a symbol of femininity. Myrtle was also sacred to Demeter, the goddess of grain, good harvest, growth and nourishment, further emphasising the auspiciousness of the plant in ancient Greek culture.
The Romans, similarly, dedicated myrtle to their goddess of love, Venus. The identification of Aphrodite with Venus dates back to the third century BC when the cult of Venus Erycina was introduced to Rome from the Greek sanctuary of Aphrodite on Mount Eryx in Sicily. After this, the Romans adopted Aphrodite's iconography and myths for their goddess Venus. Venus, originally a goddess of agricultural fertility, vegetation and springtime, became venerated as Venus Genetrix, the mother of the entire Roman nation. The association of myrtle with Venus is also seen in the story of Venus transforming one of her priestesses, Myrrh, into a myrtle tree to protect her from an over-eager suitor. In Roman mythology, myrtle was the only plant used in the celebration of lustratio, a purification ritual.
The symbolic significance of myrtle as a representation of love and beauty has continued through the centuries, with fragrant sprigs of myrtle included in wedding bouquets. This tradition is said to have originated in the Mediterranean region and is still practised in European royal weddings, with Queen Victoria's wedding bouquet including a sprig of myrtle, continuing a tradition that has ancient roots.
While myrtle may not be a common ingredient in modern perfumery, with only a few hundred fragrances featuring it, its aromatic qualities have been utilised in perfumes, soaps, toiletries and eau-de-colognes. Myrtle essential oil, or Myrtus communis leaf oil, also has medicinal properties and is used in aromatherapy and skincare treatments for acne and respiratory infections due to its antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Myrtus communis, commonly known as myrtle, is a genus of flowering plants native to the Mediterranean region, Macaronesia, western Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
The process of making perfume from Myrtus communis involves extracting essential oils from the plant. This oil can then be combined with other fragrant essential oils, fixatives, and solvents to create a pleasant scent.
The scent of Myrtus communis is described as having a fresh, herbal fragrance with citrus notes.
No, myrtle is not a common ingredient in modern perfumery. Only about 300 fragrances in the Fragrantica database feature myrtle as an ingredient.
Other plants used in perfumery include almond, coriander, conifer resin, bergamot, and various flowers.
