ABSTRACT
The genus Myrica has about 50 species of shrubs and small trees distributed throughout the temperate and subtropical areas of both hemispheres. Sweet gale produces "cluster roots". Modern commercial interest in sweet gale has focused on new skincare products from European pharmaceutical firms. Sweet gale essential oil is said to be useful for skin care because it is antibacterial and has a very pleasant odor, and the plant has been used historically to treat skin conditions. Although there are indications that there might be medically important constituents, most of the essential oil chemicals are found in numerous other plants, and it remains to be seen whether or not sweet gale is significant source of medicinals. North American Indians used the foliage to repel insects from tents, especially mosquitoes, and sweet gale has also been used as a mosquito repellent in Europe. Sweet gale has been used to promote abortion, and the essential oil contains toxic compounds (flavonoid glycosides or sesquiterpenes).
