Myrtle oil: gentle green freshness from Corsica and the rules for children

In brief: Myrtle oil from the leaves of common myrtle (Myrtus communis) smells gentle, green and herbal, softer than eucalyptus. For a diffuser 2–4 drops, on the skin 1%, 1.9% at most (Tisserand & Young). It contains 1,8-cineole, so for children only from 6 years of age and never near their face. Do not confuse it with lemon myrtle.

Myrtle is a Mediterranean shrub that in Greek and Roman tradition was a symbol of beauty, love and protection. The oil from its leaves is among the gentlest "fresh" oils. It has something of eucalyptus and something of the herb garden, but none of their sharpness.

If you grow myrtle as a houseplant, you will find instructions in the article common myrtle. Here we deal with the essential oil: how it smells, how to use it and why the same rules apply to children as for eucalyptus.

Green or red myrtle?

Two types of oil are sold under the same Latin name Myrtus communis. They differ mainly in the ratio of two substances:

Colour is not a reliable guide, though; the analysis of the composition decides. Our BIO Myrtle oil is from Corsica, that is from an area typical for green myrtle. To give an idea of the composition: in two analysed samples of green myrtle, α-pinene made up 34–51% and 1,8-cineole 13–22%.

Lemon myrtle is a different plant. Myrtle (Myrtus communis) and lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) share only the name. Lemon myrtle smells intensely of lemon, contains over 80% citral and is diluted much more.

How myrtle smells and what to combine it with

The scent is fresh, green and clean, with a slightly camphoraceous start and a soft, sweetish aftertone. Anyone who likes eucalyptus but finds it too sharp will often find in myrtle what they are looking for. It goes well with:

• lavender and bergamot – a harmonious evening blend,
• lemon and eucalyptus – a fresh winter scent,
• frankincense and cypress – a balsamic, calm composition.

Diffuser and aroma lamp

For an ultrasonic diffuser in a small room 2–4 drops, in a medium one 4–6. For an aroma lamp 2–3 drops. Myrtle is gentle, so it also suits an adult's bedroom, but not for the whole night: 20–30 minutes before sleep and then switch off. A table by room can be found in the article how many drops to put in a diffuser and aroma lamp.

Blends with myrtle

• Calm evening (diffuser): 2 drops of myrtle, 2 drops of lavender, 1 drop of bergamot.
• Winter freshness (diffuser): 2 drops of myrtle, 1 drop of eucalyptus, 2 drops of lemon.
• Balsam (aroma lamp): 1 drop of myrtle, 1 drop of frankincense, 1 drop of cypress.

Myrtle is a gentler alternative for the cold season, when you want a fresh scent in the flat. More oils for this period are in the article essential oils for a cold and a blocked nose.

On the skin: low dilution

Tisserand and Young set a dermal maximum of 1.9% for myrtle oils. The reason is trace amounts of estragole and methyleugenol that occur in some myrtle samples. In practice 1% on the skin is enough.

Body oil with myrtle and lavender

1. Add 3 drops of myrtle and 3 drops of lavender (1%) to 30 ml of jojoba oil.
2. Mix by turning the bottle upside down.
3. Do a patch test on the forearm and watch the skin for 24 hours.
4. Apply after a shower to the chest, back or shoulders, not the face. Use up within 3 months.

For a bath put in 3 drops of myrtle mixed into a spoonful of carrier oil, never straight into the water. More about dilution and carrier oils is in the article essential oils for the skin.

Tradition and research

In Algeria myrtle leaves are traditionally used for breathing and digestive problems. Laboratory studies of Corsican and Algerian myrtle examine the antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties of the oil on cell cultures; the results are interesting, but these are not clinical studies in humans. Take myrtle oil as a scent and an ingredient for cosmetics, not as a medicine, and never swallow it.

Safety: children, epilepsy, cats

• Children under 6: do not use myrtle. It contains 1,8-cineole, which can cause breathing difficulties in small children.
• Children from 6 years: 1–2 drops in a diffuser, briefly; on the skin up to 1%, on the body only, never on the face or under the nose. More in the article essential oils and children.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: the product page does not recommend use without specialist consultation. In this period only briefly in a diffuser.
• Epilepsy and asthma: because of the cineole, with caution; start with 1 drop and stop if problems arise.
• Cats: myrtle contains α-pinene and cineole, substances typical of conifers and eucalyptus, which are risky for cats. Do not diffuse in a room with a cat. See essential oils and pets.
• Storage: α-pinene oxidises, so keep the bottle in a cool, dark place and use it up within 1–2 years of opening.

Frequently asked questions

What is myrtle oil used for?

Mainly in a diffuser for a gentle fresh scent, in winter and in the evening, and diluted in body oils and baths. It is traditionally associated with breathing, but it is not a medicine.

What is the difference between myrtle and lemon myrtle?

They are two different plants. Common myrtle smells green and herbal, lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) intensely of lemon, and because of citral it is diluted much more.

Can I put myrtle in a diffuser for a child?

From 6 years of age yes, 1–2 drops for a short time. Not for younger children; it contains 1,8-cineole. Lavender or chamomile are more suitable for small children.

Is myrtle gentler than eucalyptus?

In scent yes, it usually contains less 1,8-cineole and more α-pinene. The safety rules for children are, however, the same as for eucalyptus.

Recommended products

• BIO Myrtle, essential oil 10 ml – oil from the leaves of wild myrtle from Corsica, a gentle green scent.
• BIO Lavender, essential oil 10 ml – together with myrtle it makes a gentle evening blend.
• BIO Lemon oil 10 ml – brightens myrtle in a winter diffuser.
• BIO Jojoba 10 ml – carrier oil for a body oil with myrtle.
• White ceramic aroma lamp 12.5 × 10.5 cm – for 2–3 drops of myrtle in the living room.

Sources

• AromaWeb: Myrtle Essential Oil, green and red myrtle, composition and dermal maximum according to Tisserand & Young – aromaweb.com
• Tisserand R., Young R.: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd edition, Churchill Livingstone 2014 (Myrtle profile, pp. 357–358).
• Bouzabata A. et al.: Myrtus communis L. as source of a bioactive and safe essential oil, Food and Chemical Toxicology 2015 – PubMed

Updated: 27 September 2026