Myrica gale
Myrica gale, commonly known as sweet gale, is a resilient, aromatic shrub native to peat bogs and wetlands across Europe and North America. Renowned for its fragrant leaves and distinctive resinous scent, this medicinal plant has historically been utilized for its antimicrobial, digestive, and calming properties in traditional herbalism.
- Scientific name: Myrica gale
- Family: Myricaceae
- Native range: Europe
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 |
Chemicals
Myrica gale has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-cineole, Polyphenols, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1,8-cineole | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Polyphenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epigallocatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallocatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| limonene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
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.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| obesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |