Myrtle, Red.

A cushion, a closed door, and a mind that will not stop talking. Red myrtle is said to be calming and centering, emotionally and spiritually, and helpful in meditation for quieting exactly that kind of mental chatter.

This is the more traditional of the myrtles, wildcrafted in Italy and steam-distilled from the leaves of Myrtus communis by an organic distiller. Compared with French green myrtle, it is lower in alpha-pinene and higher in 1,8-cineole. It blends with a wide circle of oils, from bergamot, lemon and neroli to frankincense, myrrh and benzoin, and from cardamom and black pepper to rose and jasmine.

Details

• Botanical name: Myrtus communis
• Origin: Italy
• Method: Steam-distilled leaves
• Growing: Wildcrafted
• Blends with: Benzoin, Bergamot, Elemi, Eucalyptus, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cedarwood, citrus oils, Clary Sage, Coriander, Frankincense, Hyssop, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemongrass, Myrrh, Neroli, Rose and Rosemary
• Shelf life: about 2 to 3 years after opening

How to use

Diffuse it during meditation, or add it to your own blends. Because of its higher 1,8-cineole content, avoid using it on the skin of the youngest children. Store it in the dark and refrigerated, and decant a half-empty bottle into a smaller full one to keep it fresh longer.

A green, steady breath for the quiet center of the day.