Bog-myrtle
Myrica gale · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (15 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Bog-myrtle, scientifically known as Myrica gale, is an aromatic evergreen shrub native to northern European wetlands. Traditionally used in brewing and herbal medicine, its fragrant leaves possess antimicrobial and insect-repellent properties. This hardy plant thrives in peat bogs, offering a unique blend of historical utility and botanical charm.
Names
Common Names
- bog myrtle
- meadow-fern
- sweet bayberry
- sweet gale
- Bog-myrtle
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Gale portugalensis
- Mirto de turbera
- Myrica palustris
- Gale palustris var. denticulata
- Arrayán de los pantanos
- Arrayan bravantico
- Arrayan brabántico
- Gale palustris var lusitanica
- Arrayán bravántico
- Mirto de Bravante
- Gale palustris
- Mirto real
- Arrayan brabantico
- Mirto bastardo
- Arrayán brabántico
- Arrayan bravántico
- Arrayan de los pantanos
German:
- Gagelstrauch
- Gagel
- Moor-Gagel
- piment royal
- Gagelstrauch
- Moor-Gagel
French:
- Piment royal
- Myrte bâtard
- Piment aquatique
- Bois-sent-bon
- Myrique baumier
- Myrte des marais
- Galé odorant
- bois-sent-bon
- myrice baumier
- myrice galé
- myrique baumier
- Piment royal
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Myrica galeSynonyms
- Myrica palustris var. subglabra
- Myrica gale subsp. tomentosa
- Myrica rothmaleriana
- Myrica palustris
- Myrica tomentosa
- Myrica gale f. pubescens
- Myrica gale var. subarctica
- Myrica gale var. tomentosa
- Myrica gale var. subglabra
- Gale japonica
- Gale palustris
- Gale palustris var. crenata
- Gale palustris var. denticulata
- Gale palustris var. lusitanica
- Gale portugalensis
- Gale uliginosa
- Gale commune
- Gale belgica
- Myrica gale var. portugalensis
- Myrica uchanovii
- Gale palustris var. subglabra
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fagales, it is classified under the family Myrricaceae and is specifically identified as part of the genus Myrica.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fagales | WCVP |
| Family | Myricaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Myrica | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific range of distribution across several northern European territories. It can be found growing naturally within the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its presence also extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the regions of Norway. These locations highlight its preference for the northern reaches of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as bog myrtle, is a woody shrub where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The aromatic leaves are highly valued for their essential oils, often used to provide fragrance or antiseptic qualities. The small, drupe-like fruits also contain bioactive compounds that contribute to the plant's medicinal profile. Overall, the aerial parts of the plant, which include the stems and foliage above the ground, are frequently harvested and dried for use in traditional herbal remedies and infusions.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| fruit | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Myrica gale has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-Cineole, CATECHIN, Epicatechin, Epigallocatechin, Gallocatechin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 1,8-Cineole | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CATECHIN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epicatechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epigallocatechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gallocatechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| LIMONENE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
1,8-Cineole
- Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
CATECHIN
- Fitoterapia
Epicatechin
- Fitoterapia
Epigallocatechin
- Fitoterapia
Gallocatechin
- Fitoterapia
LIMONENE
- Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate
- Fitoterapia
polyphenols
- Frontiers in nutrition
Medicinal Uses
Myrica gale has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include obesity, type 2 diabetes.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| obesity | Frontiers in nutrition (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes | Frontiers in nutrition (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| EE | Frontiers in nutrition (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |