Organic Soap: Bog Myrtle

The Bog Myrtle wholesoap will help you smell great at the same time keeping mosquitoes and midges at a distance – a must if you plan to go fishing in Scotland or holiday somewhere warm overseas.

Found all over Scotland and parts of England & Wales, Bog Myrtle flourishes in peaty bog areas. I have many childhood memories of walking in the Scottish countryside, through areas of peat bog and bracken, enjoying the pleasant aroma. 

As a herb, Bog Myrtle is truly under-rated.  I cannot find any evidence that bog myrtle was used in Roman times; perhaps their genetic imperative to build walls deprived them of the local knowledge needed for conquering midges or enjoying a jug of sacred healing ale with the friendly natives.

Bog Myrtle leaves are said to be of special value to quickly revive the spirit, quicken the mind and strengthen the nerves. The Vikings made themselves crazy with Bog Myrtle infusions before going into battle with their customary berserk frenzy.

The many other uses of Bog-Myrtle include:
- a great midge and mosquito repellent                                       
- beer making (Scotland, of course!)                                        
- a traditional ingredient of Royal Wedding bouquets
- to kill insects, vermin and to cure ‘the itch’ (Scandanavia)
- since the dark ages the plant has been used to treat depression because of its ability to induce a good mood and calm stress
- candlemaking: the catkins boiled in water, give a scum beeswax.
- tanning calfskins: the bark, when gathered in autumn, will dye wool a yellow colour (Sweden and Wales)
- used in poultices to heal wounds;  these strong anti-bacterial agents should be developed into new antibiotics
- to garnish food and used in cooking; the dried berries are put into broth and used as spice (Scotland)
- for poor memory and mental confusion in old age
- eliminating acne: clinical tests prove Bog Myrtle is four times more effective than Tea Tree oil at killing acne bacteria
- sunburn can generate free radicals which can cause cancer; certain properties of Bog Myrtle can help protect against this
- the leaves are dried to perfume linen, and discourage moths, their odour being very fragrant.  The leaves are also infused like tea, and used for stomach ache (China)
- fishermen and hunters have been known to wear sprigs to keep away the midges (Culicoides Impunctatus).
- a traditional remedy for stomach aches, fever, bronchial ailments, liver problems and to increase the lucidity of dreams (Native cultures of Eastern Canada)