What is Myrtus?

Myrtus (commonly known as myrtle) is a flowering evergreen shrub that is probably originally in Mediterranean Europe and North Africa, but now grown in many parts of the world. The plant has long been admired for its fine white flowers, affected by dark green leaves and spicy aroma. There is evidence that he was considered sacred for ancient rivers and Romans. Today it is used in the Mediterranean in homeopathic respiratory therapies and as a liqueur component. This requires little water and can actually respond poorly to excess watering. The plant can easily survive the conditions of similar drought that sometimes affect its original regions. The plant has a shape similar to shrubs and can grow up to 15 feet (4.57 m) in height. Its flowers, which appear in the Late Summer, consist of five flat white petals with approximately 50 to 100 thin sticks protruding up from their center, creating a significant "Starburst" effect. Leaves of plants that are shaped as ovals with pointed ends, JSoum shiny and quite strong. They are dark green in color and create an attractive visual contrast with soft white flowers of the plant and produce a fresh, spicy aroma when crushing.

evidence suggests that the Myrtus plant was considered sacred among ancient rivers and the Romans. It is repeatedly mentioned in the mythologies of these cultures, and it seems that the Greeks were associated with the goddess of aphrodite and the Romans with its equivalent character of Venus. Myrtus seems to have also been used during ceremonies such as weddings and could be considered a symbol of devotion. Perhaps one of the reasons why Myrtus was so highly appreciated by these cultures that the plant provided a year -round explosion of color and life on an otherwise dry Mediterranean landscape.

Today, the leaves and berries of the Mediterranean are used in some areas of the Mediterranean - specifically the islands of Sardinia and Corsica - as a component in a fragrant liqueur called Mirto .Some leaves are also seen to have healing properties and are used in certain homeopathic respiratory therapies. This use can undoubtedly be attributed to the fresh, spicy fragrance produced by these leaves when they are crushed. It is assumed that inhalation of this scent can help clean the overloaded airways.