Botanical Name:                   Myrtus Communis
Plant Part:                              Leaves and Twigs
Extraction Method:              Steam Distilled
Origin:                                   India

Interesting Facts:  Around the Mediterranean, mostly the fresh or dried leaves of myrtle are  used; myrtle dried berry fruits are also aromatic and have been tried as a substitute for black pepper. Myrtle leaves are used as a spice, and can be used as a substitute for bay leaves. In Greek mythology, myrtle was considered to be sacred to Aphrodite. Traditions of brides wearing crowns of myrtle on their wedding day was common to ancient Greeks. On the Italian island of Sardinia, a digestive liqueur called mirto is made by macerating myrtle berries in alcohol. The myrtle branches and leaves are used in the lulav on the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.