Myrtle
Profile
| Latin Name | Myrtus communis |
| Chinese Name | Not Known |
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Note | Middle-Base |
| Aroma | <Soft> Spicy, Camphorous |
| Color | Pale-Yellow to Green (Corsica) |
| Parts Distilled | Leaves & Twigs (sometimes Flowers) |
| Regions | Mediterranean, North Africa |
| Taste | Bitter, Sweet |
| Nature | Cooling but drying |
| Affinity | LU, BL |
| Major Chemical Constituents | Oxide (1-8 cineole), esters, aldehydes |
| Skin Type | Oily |
| Dosage | 10% dilution |
TCM Categories
- Clear Heat (LU)
- Astringent
- Metal Excess
- (Cool release exterior)
Functions
- Clear Lung Heat and heat in the upper orifices (e.g., rhinitis)
- Astringe leakage of qi and blood (e.g., sweating, bleeding, diarrhea/dysentery, hemorrhoids)
Indications
Topical Applications
- Apply on Luo-blood vessels on the surface.
- Apply on chest for congestion, including breast lumps, and during PMS
Other Applications
- Diffuse to disinfect room.
- Diffuse for a calming effect.
Specific Protocols
- Apply onLU-7 to open the Luo-passage channel.
- 10% dilution with Cypress for leakage of Lung Qi - apply to LU-6, LU-1, BL-13.
Actions
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-viral
- Mucolytic
- Nervine
Contraindications & Cautions
- Cold & Empty Yang
Notes
- Good for children
- Helps someone be open to things without judgement; for someone highly critical of the world
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Scaly tough skin conditions
- Opens the portals, mostly in the upper body to allow for change
- Combines well with most spices and citruses
- Breaks up thin phlegm, astringes
- Yang Qiao Mai affinity
- Active on LU 7
Additional Comments
- Myrtle is well-tolerated and good for children with infections.
- Myrtle is very similar to Niaouli in properties.