Bog myrtle

The false myrtle, also known by its Latin name Anamirta cocculus, is a climbing plant that grows in Southeast Asia. The dried fruits and seeds of false myrtle are used as medicine in some parts of the world. In Europe and America, crape myrtle is no longer used due to safety concerns. However, picrotoxin, the active chemical in mock myrtle seeds, is still used in research. Some people use crape myrtle to treat abnormal movements of the eyeballs and dizziness. Picrotoxin, which is extracted from the seeds of crape myrtle, is used to treat epilepsy, night sweats and as a stimulant. Some people apply mock myrtle powder directly to the skin to treat scabies. In India, the leaves of the false myrtle are inhaled as snuff to relieve malaria. The whole fruit of the false myrtle is used to paralyze fish and kill birds or dogs. Jungle tribes apply picrotoxin extracted from the seeds of the false myrtle to their arrowheads for hunting. Picrotoxin is used in the fishing industry to paralyze fish. Extracts are applied to the skin to treat lice.

How does mock myrtle work?

Bog myrtle contains a chemical that stimulates the central nervous system, irritates the stomach and intestines and stimulates the brain to cause changes in breathing. Bog myrtle is also used to slow the heart rate and increase blood pressure.

How effective is crape myrtle?

There is not enough scientific data to say how effective crape myrtle is for abnormal movement of the eyeballs, dizziness, night sweats, epilepsy, applied to the skin as a powder for scabies, applied to the skin for lice, inhaled to treat malaria, and used as a stimulant. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of sham myrtle in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Bog myrtle is not safe and harmless when taken orally. The picrotoxin contained in false myrtle can be fatal even in small quantities. Accidental ingestion of false myrtle requires immediate medical treatment. Bog myrtle can cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, coordination problems, depression, convulsions, twitching, increased salivation, vomiting, increased bowel movements, rapid breathing, drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, reduced heart rate, unconsciousness and death.

Applying mock myrtle to the skin may also not be safe and harmless.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Sham myrtle is not safe to use during pregnancy and lactation. Bog myrtle is toxic and can be fatal.

Interactions

At this time, there is no information available on interactions of myrtle with medications or supplements.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of myrtle depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for false myrtle. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.