Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
Myrtle is a fresh, slightly medicinal single oil in the same family as eucalyptus and tea tree, valued for skin and respiratory-season blends.
How to use it
3–5 drops for a clean, refreshing morning scent that blends well with citrus.
Dilute to 2–4% in a carrier oil — a milder alternative when eucalyptus feels too sharp.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- Dilute in a carrier oil for skin
- Phototoxic
- No
- Contains 1,8-cineole, so avoid applying near the faces of infants and young children.
- Generally considered gentler than eucalyptus for respiratory-style blends, but still dilute for skin.
- Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children.
Sources: JEOR study (2000)
Composition & chemistry
Aggregated from 55 GC-MS samples across 25 peer-reviewed open-access studies (2020–2026). Figures are the distribution across those samples — median with interquartile range — not a single reading.
- Oxygenated monoterpene 51.1%
- Monoterpene hydrocarbon 46.5%
- Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon 1.2%
- Unclassified 0.7%
- Oxygenated sesquiterpene 0.5%
| Constituent | Median | Typical range | Max | Detected in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| α-pinene ↗ C10H16 | 30.2% | 18.1–46.0% | 59.8% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| myrtenyl acetate ↗ C12H18O2 | 29.8% | 3.5–33.7% | 76.8% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| 1,8-cineole ↗ C10H18O | 22.0% | 16.7–30.8% | 55.1% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| linalool ↗ C10H18O | 6.7% | 2.4–11.3% | 19.8% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| limonene ↗ C10H16 | 5.7% | 2.4–8.5% | 10.7% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| geranyl acetate ↗ C12H20O2 | 2.6% | 1.7–3.4% | 11.7% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| α-terpineol ↗ C10H18O | 2.5% | 1.6–4.3% | 7.4% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| p-cymene ↗ C10H14 | 2.0% | 1.5–2.2% | 2.3% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| β-caryophyllene ↗ C15H24 | 1.2% | 0.6–1.7% | 5.2% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| linalyl acetate ↗ C12H20O2 | 1.0% | 0.7–3.2% | 14.6% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| α-terpinyl acetate ↗ C12H20O2 | 1.0% | 0.5–1.6% | 2.6% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| α-humulene ↗ C15H24 | 0.5% | 0.2–1.0% | 12.4% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
+ 83 more compounds reported across the dataset.
25 peer-reviewed sources behind these figures
- Yarahmadi R, Mumivand H, Ehtesham Nia A, Raji MR, Argento S. (2024). Natural Diversity in Total Phenol, Flavonoids, Antioxidant Properties, and Essential Oil Composition of Iranian Populations of Myrtus communis L. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Shahbazian D, Karami A, Raouf Fard F, Eshghi S, Maggi F. (2022). Essential Oil Variability of Superior Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) Accessions Grown under the Same Conditions. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Giuliani C, Bottoni M, Milani F, Todero S, Berera P, Maggi F, Santagostini L, Fico G. (2022). Botanic Garden as a Factory of Molecules: Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis as a Case Study. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Dănilă E, Marinas IC, Gaboreanu MD, Neacșu VA, Titorencu I, Marin MM, Kaya DA, Çeliktaş N, Albu Kaya M, Țuțuianu R. (2026). Chemical Characterization, Evaluation of Antimicrobial Potential, and Cytotoxic Activity of <i>Thuja occidentalis</i> L. and <i>Myrtus communis</i> L. Essential Oils for Topical Applications. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Mariem M, Slimen S, Zammali A, Hraoui M, Wahabi S, Stefano D, Hichem S. (2026). Protective Effects of <i>Myrtus communis</i> Essential Oil Against Bisphenol A-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Wistar Rats. Food science & nutrition.
- Mariem M, Slimen S, Stefania S, Stefano DA, Hichem S. (2026). Protective and Detoxifying Effects of Myrtus communis Essential Oil Against Bisphenol A-Induced Metabolic Disturbances in Wistar Rats. BioMed research international.
- Polito F, Malaspina P, La Neve A, Smeriglio A, Cornara L, De Feo V, Trombetta D. (2026). Circular Valorization of Laurel and Myrtle Pruning Residues: Chemical Profiling, Phytotoxicity, and Ecotoxicological Assessment of Essential Oils for Sustainable Weed Management. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Karimi A, Aminzare M, Hassanzadazar H, Hashemi M, Roohinejad S, Bekhit AEA, Tahergorabi R. (2025). Enhancing oxidative stability and sensory properties of ostrich meat using <i>Malva neglecta</i> mucilage nanocomposite coating loaded with <i>Myrtus communis</i> essential oil during refrigeration. Food chemistry: X.
- Barboucha G, Rahim N, Bramki A, Boulebd H, Andolfi A, Boulacheb K, Boulacel A, Salvatore MM, Masi M. (2025). Comprehensive In Vitro and In Silico Analysis of Antimicrobial and Insecticidal Properties of Essential Oil of <i>Myrtus communis</i> L. from Algeria. International journal of molecular sciences.
- Hardy E, Poli JP, Bighelli A, Paoli M, Maroselli T, Berti L, Guinoiseau E. (2025). <i>Quorum-Quenching</i> Activity of <i>Myrtus communis</i> Corsican Essential Oil Against the Marine Bacterium <i>Aliivibrio fischeri</i>. Microorganisms.
- Bayoudh A, Tarhouni N, Ben Mansour R, Mekrazi S, Sadraoui R, Kriaa K, Ahmed Z, Soussi A, Kallel I, Hadrich B. (2025). Integrated Network Pharmacology and Molecular Dynamics Reveal Multi-Target Anticancer Mechanisms of <i>Myrtus communis</i> Essential Oils. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland).
- Khosravani J, Hosseinifarahi M, Radi M, Najafian S. (2025). Optimizing postharvest quality of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) essential oil extracts: effects of temperature and storage duration. BMC plant biology.
- Cvitković D, Škarica I, Dragović-Uzelac V, Balbino S. (2024). Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Fatty Acids, Phytosterols, and Volatiles from Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) Fruit. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Li DY, Donadu MG, Shue T, Dangas G, Athanasiadis A, Lan S, Wen X, Battah B, Zanetti S, Mazzarello V, Sarafianos SG, Ferrari M, Michailidis E. (2024). Myrtus communis L. Essential Oil Exhibits Antiviral Activity against Coronaviruses. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland).
- Giuliani C, Moretti RM, Bottoni M, Santagostini L, Fico G, Montagnani Marelli M. (2023). The Leaf Essential Oil of Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina (L.) Nyman: From Phytochemical Characterization to Cytotoxic and Antimigratory Activity in Human Prostate Cancer Cells. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Barhouchi B, Menacer R, Bouchkioua S, Mansour A, Belattar N. (2023). Compounds from myrtle flowers as antibacterial agents and SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors: In-vitro and molecular docking studies. Arabian journal of chemistry.
- Belahcene S, Kebsa W, Omoboyowa DA, Alshihri AA, Alelyani M, Bakkour Y, Leghouchi E. (2023). Unveiling the Chemical Profiling Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Algerian Myrtus communis L. Essential Oils, and Exploring Molecular Docking to Predict the Inhibitory Compounds against Cyclooxygenase-2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland).
- Dhouibi I, Flamini G, Bouaziz M. (2023). Comparative Study on the Essential Oils Extracted from Tunisian Rosemary and Myrtle: Chemical Profiles, Quality, and Antimicrobial Activities. ACS omega.
- Bowbe KH, Salah KBH, Moumni S, Ashkan MF, Merghni A. (2023). Anti-Staphylococcal Activities of Rosmarinus officinalis and Myrtus communis Essential Oils through ROS-Mediated Oxidative Stress. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland).
- Ouedrhiri W, Mechchate H, Moja S, Baudino S, Saleh A, Al Kamaly OM, Grafov A, Greche H. (2022). Optimized Antibacterial Effects in a Designed Mixture of Essential Oils of Myrtus communis, Artemisia herba-alba and Thymus serpyllum for Wide Range of Applications. Foods (Basel, Switzerland).
- Mansour RB, Beji RS, Wasli H, Zekri S, Ksouri R, Megdiche-Ksouri W, Cardoso SM. (2022). Gastroprotective Effect of Microencapsulated Myrtus communis Essential Oil against Ethanol/HCl-Induced Acute Gastric Lesions. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Caputo L, Capozzolo F, Amato G, De Feo V, Fratianni F, Vivenzio G, Nazzaro F. (2022). Chemical composition, antibiofilm, cytotoxic, and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities of Myrtus communis L. leaves essential oil. BMC complementary medicine and therapies.
- Polat Yemiş G, Sezer E, Sıçramaz H. (2022). Inhibitory Effect of Sodium Alginate Nanoemulsion Coating Containing Myrtle Essential Oil (Myrtus communis L.) on Listeria monocytogenes in Kasar Cheese. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Thoma JL, Cantrell CL, Zheljazkov VD. (2022). Evaluation of Essential Oils as Sprout Suppressants for Potato (Solanum tuberosum) at Room Temperature Storage. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Kaya DA, Ghica MV, Dănilă E, Öztürk Ş, Türkmen M, Albu Kaya MG, Dinu-Pîrvu CE. (2020). Selection of Optimal Operating Conditions for Extraction of Myrtus Communis L. Essential Oil by the Steam Distillation Method. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
Every figure above traces to a named table in one of these open-access papers. How this was built →
- 1,8-Cineole — a fresh, camphoraceous constituent shared with eucalyptus; central to myrtle's clearing aroma JEOR study (2000)
A gentler, less sharp alternative when eucalyptus feels too strong.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
-
Myrtle oil has been characterised chemically and studied for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity in the laboratory. These are in-vitro/preclinical findings, not clinical proof of benefit.
Phytothérapie study on common myrtle (2017)
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Myrtle's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
-
Myrtle is a cineole- and pinene-rich leaf oil with a signature myrtenyl acetate fraction, giving it a fresh, slightly sweet, camphoraceous aroma.
JEOR study (2000)
Frequently asked questions
How is myrtle different from eucalyptus?
Both are cineole-rich and fresh-smelling, but myrtle is softer and sweeter, with its own myrtenyl acetate note. Many people find myrtle a gentler alternative to eucalyptus for a clearing aroma. JEOR study (2000)
Is myrtle safe around children?
Because it contains 1,8-cineole, avoid applying it near the faces or noses of infants and young children. Diffuse in a ventilated room and keep it out of reach. JEOR study (2000)
Is myrtle phototoxic?
No — myrtle isn't phototoxic, so there's no sun-exposure restriction. Dilute it for topical use as usual.
Gallery
The plant
Myrtus communis is an evergreen Mediterranean shrub with glossy, aromatic leaves and small white flowers, native to the coastal scrublands of southern Europe and North Africa. It belongs to the same botanical family (Myrtaceae) as eucalyptus and tea tree, which explains the fresh, faintly medicinal quality it shares with both. Myrtle carries a long cultural history in the Mediterranean world — the plant was sacred to Aphrodite and Venus in Greek and Roman mythology, and myrtle wreaths and branches turn up in ancient wedding customs and Roman triumphal processions.
How it’s extracted
The essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and twigs, which contain the aromatic compounds responsible for myrtle’s crisp, green scent.
Aroma
Fresh and herbaceous, with a mild camphoraceous edge — noticeably gentler and less sharp than eucalyptus, sitting somewhere between tea tree and a soft, green herb.
Traditional & everyday uses
Myrtle has a long-standing place in Mediterranean folk tradition as a household aromatic and skin-care ingredient. Today it’s mostly diffused for a clean, refreshing atmosphere, or diluted into skin-care blends where a gentler cousin of eucalyptus is preferred.
In the diffuser: 3–5 drops is a clean, refreshing choice for mornings, and it blends well with citrus or other herbaceous oils.
On skin: dilute to 2–4% in a carrier oil. Myrtle has a reputation as a milder alternative when eucalyptus feels too sharp, and it’s a common ingredient in skin-care blends aimed at a clear, healthy-looking complexion.
Safety note
Patch-test before regular use, and use caution around young children, since oils in the cineole family can be too stimulating for their airways in concentrated form.
Found in these blends
Myrtle is one of the oils inside 3 Young Living blends.