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Botanical Name: Myrica gale (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Myricaceae
Parts Used: Leaves, branches. Leaves, fresh or dried. Gale leaves are densely covered with oil glands; in the picture on the right side, the glands appear as a grainy surface texture, which is, however, an artefact produced by the scanner. To the eye, gale leaves appear shining brown.
Synonyms: Bayberry. English Bog Myrtle. Dutch Myrtle. Herba Myrti Rabanitini. Gale palustris (Chevalier).
Habitat: Higher latitudes of Northern Hemisphere; Great Britain, especially in the north; abundant on the Scottish moors and bogs.Grows in damp soil, on moors, marshes, swamps, shallow water, and fens. Newfoundland to the mountains of North Carolina; Tennessee to Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota.

Description: The badge of the Campbells. A deciduous, bushy shrub, growing to 4 feet high. The wood and leaves fragrant when bruised. The leaves, not unlike a willow or myrtle, are oblanceolate, tapering entire at the base, toothed and broadest at the apex, the upper side dark glossy green, the underside paler and slightly downy, under which are a few shining glands. The male plant produces flowers in May and June in crowded, stalkless catkins. The fruit catkins about the same size, but thicker, are closely-set, resinous nutlets, the flowers being borne on the bare wood of one year’s growth. The sexes are on different plants. The leaves are often dried to perfume linen, etc., their odour being very fragrant, but the taste bitter and astringent. The branches have been used as a substitute for hops in Yorkshire and put into a beer called there ‘Gale Beer.’ It is extremely good to allay thirst. The catkins, or cones, boiled in water, give a scum beeswax, which is utilized to make candles. The bark is used to tan calfskins; if gathered in autumn, it will dye wool a good yellow colour and is used for this purpose both in Sweden and Wales. The Swedes use it in strong decoction to kill insects, vermin and to cure the itch. The dried berries are put into broth and used as spice. In China, the leaves are infused like tea, and used as a stomachic and cordial.

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Legends, Myths and Stories:
Norwegians smoke the leaves of this bush with tobacco, which they believe it greatly improves.

The myrtle is called the Greek Mursine because of a young maiden of Athens names Myrsine, who was so beautiful all the lusty lads or brave young men of Athens tenderly loved her, as well as the goddess Pallas or Minerva, who willed her to be always present at tourney, and the tilts, running, vaulting, and other such activities and exercises. After the games, Myrsine was to be the judge and award the garland or crown of honor to the winner. They were so pleased with her judgment that they killed her. As soon as the goddess Minerva found out about it, she caused the sweet myrtle to spring up, and called it Myrsine to honor and in memory of the sweet maiden.
Constituents: Said to contain a poisonous volatile oil and to have properties similar to those of Myrica cerifera.

Medicinal Properties: Bitter tonic, antidepressant, nervine

Medicinal Action and Uses: The leaves have been used in France as aemmenagogue and abortifacient. The leaves, chewed raw or used as a standard infusion, is used as a general tonic and restorative, of special value during bouts of sickness, depression, or strain. It quickly revives the spirit, quickens the mind and strengthens the nerves. Cases of poor memory and mental confusion in old age are successfully treated with Bog myrtle. The branch tea once was used as a diuretic for gonorrhea.
The foliage has a sweet resinous scent, and is a traditional insect repellant, used by campers to keep biting insects out of tents. It is also a traditional ingredient of Royal Wedding bouquets, and is used variously in perfumery and as a condiment.

In northwestern Europe (Germany, Belgium and Great Britain), it was a much used in a mixture called gruit as a flavouring for beer from the Middle Ages to the 16th century, but it fell into disuse after hops had become widely available. Danish brewery Thisted Bryghus produces Porse Guld, a strong beer flavoured with the plant.

Boots chemist are planning to increase production of the plant in Scotland for use as an essential oil for treating sensitive skin and acne. It is also used by Totally Herby of Scotland as an insect repellent.

In some native cultures in Eastern Canada, the plant has been used as a traditional remedy for stomach aches, fever, bronchial ailments and liver problems. It has also been used to enhance the lucidity of dreams. In Scotland it has been traditionally used to ward off the dreaded midge.

Sweet Gale can grow in a narrow band in the intertidal zone, especially if it has some logs, washed down into the estuary on which to establish itself. It is a favorite food of beavers and low beaver dams can be found in the intertidal zone if sufficient sweet gale is present. The ponds thus formed are often completely submerged at high tide but retain water at low tide and provide deep enough water to provide a refuge for fish, including juvenile salmon where the water is too deep for predation by wading birds. Thus the presence of Sweet Gale can enhance salmon recruitment

Warning:
Essential oil reportedly toxic, inhibits growth of various bacteria. Do not use without medical supervision.Myrica gale was cited as an abortifacient in M. Grieve’s 1931 A Modern Herbal and, therefore, should not be consumed by women who are, or might be, pregnant.

Other Species :
M. Gale, var. tomentosa. The young wood and leaves on both sides are very downy and specially so on the underside.

Sensory quality :
Gale leaves have a nice, pleasant aromatic smell that increases when the leaves are dried. The taste is similar, but also somewhat bitter and astringent.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider

Click to learn more about-> Sweet Gale

Click to See-> BAYBERRY.

Resources:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/galswe03.html
http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Myri_gal.html
http://www.emedicinal.com/herbs/sweetgale.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrica_gale

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