Myrtle
Myrtus communis
“The leaves, which contain essential oil and tannins, display antimicrobial activity. An antiademic and hypoglycemic effect was demonstrated in animal experiments. An effect on the central nervous system (increase in the duration of sleep) was also proven. The efficacy in cold infections may be attributable to the deodorizing and bronchosecretolytic effect of the essential oil.”
- PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd edition
“The chemical composition of myrtle suggests that its actions, adverse effects, and toxicologic properties are very similar to those of cineole and eucalyptus oil... It is reasonable to assume that the monoterpenes of myrtol are rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and that maximum blood levels are reached in 1-2h. Some of the absorbed cineole and other monoterpenes are excreted via the lungs, a pathway that again brings them into contact with the bronchial mucosa.”
- PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd edition