Bog-myrtle
Myrica gale
Bayberry family (Myricaceae)
Possible treatment for acne
The aromatic catkins of the myrtle are usually male or female, the plants (bushes) are therefore dioecious. Yet all exceptions are possible, such as mixed catkins on one plant and a change in sex from year to year. On the twigs and underside of the leaves are yellow resin glands that release a pleasant aroma, which is slightly toxic and hallucinogenic.
Despite a ban the resin has been used for centuries to flavour beer. It is also used as an insect repellent and to flavour alcoholic herbal beverages. Medicinal properties include a possible treatment for acne and toothache, and to induce abortion.
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Myrtle has aromatic catkins and on the twigs and on the underside of the leaves are yellow resin glands that release a pleasant aroma.
Despite a ban the resin has been used for centuries to flavour beer. It is also used as an insect repellent and to flavour alcoholic herbal beverages.
The pleasant aroma of the resin is slightly toxic and hallucinogenic.
Before hop became an integral part in the preparation of beer, the herbal flavouring (the 'gruit') was derived from myrtle (Myrica gale) along with two other herbs, rosemary and sage.
Medicinaal mogelijk werkzaam tegen acne en kiespijn en als abortivum toegepast.
Details
Description: | Shrub, up to 1.50 m, dioecious. |
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Distributions: | North america, western europe and the baltic sea region |
Habitat: | On moorland, along watercourses, peat bogs, forest edges and coastal dunes. |
Year cycle: | Perennial (polycarpic decidous) |
Hardiness: | Colder than -4 f (very hardy) |
Flowering period: | April - mei |
Flower color: | Brown |
Notes on flowers: | Mannelijk katje voor de bladuitloop, bruin 1,5 cm, opgehoopt aan het eind van de tak; vrouwelijk katje, bruin 0,5 cm op aparte plant. |
Fruiting period: | Augustus - september |
Fruit color: | Brown, green |
Notes on fruits: | Groen naar bruin verkleurende samengestelde steenvruchtjes. |
At its best: | Mei - juni |
Sources
http://www.floron.nl/publicaties/rode-lijst-2012,IUCNredlist.org,
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Myrica+gale,
http://wilde-planten.nl/wilde%20gagel.htm,
https://www.verspreidingsatlas.nl/0849,
Dendrologie van de lage landen - Jan de Koning en Wim van den Broek, Heukels flora 13