• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Herbal Resource

Information on Medicinal Herbs & Functional Medicine

  • Home
  • Herbs List
  • Herbs by Health Condition
  • Latest Posts
  • Phytochemicals
  • Our Authors

What is Bog Myrtle used for?

September 27, 2020 by Herbal Resource 1 Comment

Pin78
Reddit
Share
Share
Share
Tweet
Flip
78 Shares

The leaves of Bog Myrtle contain an essential oil which is rich in various terpenes. The main substances are alpha-pinene, 1,8 cineol, myrcene, and limonene. Additional substances found in the plant are beta-cadin-4-En-10-ol, 11-selina-4-ol, beta-terpinene, p-cymene, caryophyllene, 4.11-selinadien, beta-elemennon, germacrone and a trace amount of other substances.

The plant also contains toxic flavon-glycosides and large amounts of bitter tannins.

In Northern Europe, the bog myrtle was well-known both for its culinary and medicinal purposes for centuries. Today its uses as a medicinal herb have been mostly forgotten.

Bayberry (Myrica cerifera), native to North America and closely related to bog myrtle, is better known and is used more in modern herbal medicine.

The plant was once used as an ingredient to add flavor to beer (known as gruit) but has been replaced by hops, mainly because the bog myrtle had a reputation for causing severe headaches.

Among the Vikings, in Scandinavia, this beer was known as “porsøl”. Some believe that this brew was the reason for the Berserkers. The leaves and fruits are still used for flavoring some brands of schnapps and liqueurs.

Bog myrtle is strongly aromatic and in the past, it was used to repel fleas and other vermin. In Scotland, it is well known as a way to ward off the Highland midge. The herb’s insect repelling properties have since then been scientifically proven to be accurate.

Bog Myrtle Medicinal Herb
Bog Myrtle Medicinal Herb – ©The Herbal Resource

The plant has been used, and still is, as a mosquito repellent. The essential oil is now recognized as an effective agent against insects (especially mosquitoes). In a Scottish study, volunteers allowed mosquitos free access to their arms. Only one arm was covered with a gel with bog myrtle essential oil. After 10 minutes the protected arm had average of 1.6 stings, while the unprotected arm had 9.4 average stings.

Bog myrtle is astringent and antiseptic herb with styptic, wound-healing and diuretic properties.

Traditionally it was used as a medicinal herb to treat wounds, acne and digestion problems. In Sweden, the dried bark was used to treat intestinal worms and to relieve itching.

In the past, the plant was used to dye wool yellow. It has a spicy scent, reminiscent of camphor, and a bitter strong flavor.

The fresh or dried leaves can be used to make tea. Both leaves and fruits can be, in small amounts, used to add flavor to soups, stews and some meat dishes.

The plant is one of the traditional components for Scottish wedding bouquets and is used as an ingredient in many perfume products and also as a condiment.

[Read more about Bog Myrtle…]

The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
Avatar photo

Herbal Resource

The Herbal Resource was created out of a passion for all natural health solutions and to inform on what nature can provide to heal. Staffed by a group of functional medicine advocates, scientists and natural health experts, we use science to support how natural can help bring health to people.
Avatar photo

Latest posts by Herbal Resource (see all)

  • Maximizing Fitness Performance with Natural Supplements: The Efficacy of Black Ginger and Tongkat Ali - January 14, 2025
Pin78
Reddit
Share
Share
Share
Tweet
Flip
78 Shares

Filed Under: Herbs - General

Avatar photo

About Herbal Resource

The Herbal Resource was created out of a passion for all natural health solutions and to inform on what nature can provide to heal. Staffed by a group of functional medicine advocates, scientists and natural health experts, we use science to support how natural can help bring health to people.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Phyllisann Verrengio says

    October 5, 2020 at 8:23 am

    I learned alot from this website. Thank you so much.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

HSR Newsletter Sign-up

loader

Email Address*

Your e-mail address is only used to send you our newsletter and information about the activities of The Herbal Resource. You can always use the unsubscribe link included in the newsletter.

Footer

  • Newsletters
  • Deals
  • Ethical Foraging – Do’s and Don’ts
  • Write for Us
  • Partner, Advertising & Commercial Relationships
  • Affiliate Agreement
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Categories

  • Functional Medicine
  • Grow Your Own Herbs
  • Herbs – General
  • Herbs – Scientific Evidence
  • Herbs for Specific Ailments
  • Medicinal Herb Profiles
  • Phytochemicals
  • Poisonous Plants
  • Sponsored Posts
  • Uncategorized

Follow

Subscribe to notifications

Contact Information

Email: herb@herbal-supplement-resource.com

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure Statement

The Herbal Resource is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program as well as with other affiliate partners.

An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to their products and services.

Looking for Something?

© Copyright 2018 The Herbal Resource · All Rights Reserved!