From our partners in Italy we regularly offer ‘Myrtus Tarantino’. Myrtus (or myrtle) is an evergreen shrub with firm branches and small bright green leaves. In today’s product profile, we would love to tell your more about myrtus. For example, did you know that myrtus is part of a royal tradition?
 

ORIGIN

As we’ve told you, myrtus is an evergreen shrub. In countries with a warmer climate myrtus is a popular hedge plant, due to its dense vegetation. In countries with a colder climate, this is unfortunately not possible because myrtus is unable to handle the frost and cold well.

De myrtus genus is not very big and reconizes only three species: myrtus communis, native to the Mediterranean region in Southern Europe. The second one is ‘Myrtus nivellei’, which is native to the North African Sahara. The last species is the mysterious Myrtus phyllireaefolia.

MYTHOLOGY

Myrtus is a plant with a rich history, that goes back (as far as we know) to the Greek classical period. In Greek mythology, myrtus was known as a sacred plant for the goddess Aphrodite, the goddess who was associated with love, beauty and passion. But the meaning and usage of myrtus went much further than ‘divine’ purposes. Myrtus was (and is!) praised for its medicinal qualities. Since 2.500 bc, myrtus has been prescribed for multiple ailments such as fever and pain in general. The plant was often mentioned in the scriptures of Hippocrates (also called the father of western medicine). Nowadays we know why myrthus works so well against pain and fever. The plant contains salicylic acid., which today is the basis of modern medicines such as aspirins and ibuprofen.

Furthermore, myrthus is significant within the Jewish liturgy, where the plant is considered one of the four holy plants. Together, these plants represent the various personalities within a community. Myrtus symbolizes someone who does good for the people around him, but doesn’t have much knowledge about the Torah.

In addition to the symbolic and medicinal value, myrtus is also edible! Well, the berries of the myrtus communis plant are. In Sardinia and Corsica the berries of the myrtus plant are used to make an aromatic liqueur called “Mirto”. This liquor is very popular to drink as an aperitif for example

We conclude with a last cool fact about myrtus: A branch of myrtus was once used in the bridal bouquet of Queen Victoria of England (the wedding took place in 1840). After the wedding, a branch out of the bouquet was replanted and started growing again. It started growing so well that in fact the descendants of that plant can still be found in bridal bouquets of the modern British Royals.
 

AVAILABILITY 

For the current myrtus availability please click here or contact our product specialists.