When you hear the word, myrtle, your mind probably conjures up a few varied ideas. There’s the name, Myrtle, the infamous Myrtle Beach, and of course there’s the crape myrtle tree and the ongoing debate over whether or not it should be “murdered,” or trimmed drastically down to the stubs. All that to say, you’ve probably heard of myrtle, but perhaps not in the context of adding it to your shower. However, it is also a plant with great aromatherapy benefits that can bring plenty of aesthetic glory into your home. Let’s unpack the basics of the myrtle plant and take a look at how you can incorporate it into your home today!

What is myrtle? 

For starters, it’s important to understand what the myrtle plant is and a bit of background about it. The myrtle plant is an evergreen shrub with star-shaped blossoms and small fruits. Originally from the Mediterranean area, it has been transplanted and cultivated around the world. Indoors, it typically grows to be 2-3 feet tall while outside, it can grow to a height of up to 15 feet in ideal conditions.

Due to its widespread geographic locations, there are several varieties of myrtle that differ in appearance and scent slightly. There are both red and green myrtle varieties. The red myrtle specimen smells a bit more camphorous while the green variety is known for a scent more similar to eucalyptus with a herbal influence: clean, crisp, with a hint of mint and woodsy scent. There is also a lemon myrtle variety which, unsurprisingly, smells like lemon!

What will myrtle add to my shower?

Now that you know more about the myrtle plant, you may be wondering why you should add a bundle of cut myrtle branches to your shower. First, of all, myrtle is a beautiful plant with a vibrant green color that will brighten up your bathroom. Additionally, myrtle brings a sophisticated air as well as aromatherapy benefits to the table. The most common scent of the leaves in the U.S. is akin to the eucalyptus fragrance with its own special indescribable twist. 

The inviting scent of the myrtle bundle will be released as the steam from your shower draws it out of the leaves, diffusing the lovely fragrance and allowing you to reap the aromatherapeutic benefits. Not only will it provide a pleasing and calming aroma, myrtle can also work to overcome and eliminate other bad odors that may be present in the space.

What are the benefits of having myrtle in my shower? 

Having a myrtle bundle in your shower is about more than just enjoying a pop of color and having some plant life in your bathroom area. There are also proven benefits of myrtle that can enhance your everyday life. Here are just a few of the amazing benefits that myrtle offers.

Myrtle can help your skin. 

The myrtle plant has astringent properties, which means that it works to tighten your skin, prevent wrinkles, reduce acne, remove irritants, and shrink the appearance of your pores. Just make sure that if you are prone to dry skin that you continue to moisturize your skin extra-well as astringent compounds can reduce the oiliness of your skin. 

Myrtle can help relieve your cough, breathing issues, and congestion. 

Myrtle functions as an expectorant, so it helps to thin the mucus in your throat and lungs which allows you to more easily cough it up. By speeding up the breakdown of mucus, your cough will end more quickly and you will get relief sooner! Myrtle has also been shown to soothe the respiratory tract which can help alleviate issues such as bronchitis, asthma, and other breathing issues.

Myrtle may have anti-cancer properties. 

Myrtle is full of antioxidants which can help combat cancer by neutralizing free radicals that build up within the body and are thought to contribute to cancer. While research is ongoing, it’s worth keeping in mind. 

Myrtle can improve cognitive abilities and protect against decline. 

The plant contains a key compound known as myricetin. Myricetin is a flavonel that can help prevent the construction of beta-amyloid fibrils. While you may not have heard of the beta-amyloid fibril, it is a critical part of the brain’s breakdown with diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. A chain of beta-amyloids form, known as a fibril, that are toxic to neurons and slowly destroy brain cells as the fibril grows in length. By preventing the construction of the beta-amyloid fibrils, myricetin can help delay or prevent cognitive decline. 

Myrtle also has additional qualities that can actually improve cognitive abilities as well. It has been shown to reduce heart rate and blood pressure which can improve concentration and memory, allowing for a more productive and focused day. 

Myrtle can reduce anxiety and calm the body. 

Along with the ability to decrease heart rate and blood pressure, myrtle can also reduce anxiety and improve your mood by calming and soothing your nervous system through aromatherapy. This will not only improve your mood but also lead to less chronic stress.

How can I add myrtle to my shower? 

Now that you’ve been told of the myriad of benefits of myrtle, you’re ready to add it to your shower at home! There are just a few quick and simple steps to doing so before you’re ready to begin enjoying your very own myrtle bundle.

As soon as you receive your myrtle bundle, submerge it in cold water for a few hours. Then, take a rounded object such as a bottle or roller and roll the leaves out to stimulate the release of their fragrance. It's best if you roll out the leaves over a towel as there will likely be some moisture released. Once you're finished, it's time to install it in your shower! You can hang it over the showerhead or elsewhere in your shower if there is another convenient hook. Just make sure not to put your myrtle bundle in the direct path of water as that will wear out your myrtle bundle faster and dilute the fragrance. 

Now you're ready to purchase your very own myrtle bundle from Self-Care Shower, naturally grown and harvested in the U.S. at one of our California farms. At Self-Care Shower, we feature a variety of bundles perfect for hanging in your shower or bathroom area to elevate your bathing experience. We also offer other bundle options such as a lavender and eucalyptus bundle, a rosemary and eucalyptus bundle, or the classic eucalyptus bundle. The myrtle plant is full of benefits from improving cognitive abilities to helping your skin to bringing peace and relaxation into your life through the practice of aromatherapy and so much more. Not only will myrtle make your bathroom smell fresh and clean, it will provide many extra benefits and with a bit of care will last for several weeks! You can bring the winsome scent of myrtle into your bathroom with a Self-Care Shower bundle, sustainably hand-picked and grown in the United States! 

Image Sources: 

Star Nursery

Photo by Sunnyday Pictures on Unsplash

Self-Care Shower Stock Photo 

Photo by madison lavern on Unsplash