Common myrtle is antibacterial and antifungal(1), anti-inflammatory and healing and is effective in wound healing; the distillate of its leaves and flowers is astringent and hemostatic.(2) The monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes present in its essential oil have antibacterial, antifungal and disinfectant properties and it has been used in folk medicine to treat the symptoms of hemorrhoid.(3) Also, myrtle’s essential oil is decongestant and astringent.(4)
In a study to determine the vasoactive ions in plants which are used systemically or locally to treat hemorrhoid, researchers have come to the conclusion that common myrtle, which is among the plants used to locally treat hemorrhoid, has vasoactive ions, especially vasoconstrictor ions and provides healing effects for hemorrhoid.(5)
In a controlled, double-blind clinical trial, 67 patients with hemorrhoid degree I and II were administered either MG ointment or antihemorrhoid ointment for 2 weeks. The results showed that both medications caused significant decrease in the amount of hemorrhage, pain while defecating, constant pain, itching, heaviness and burning sensation in the anal area and tenesmus and there was significant difference in the degree of symptoms before and after the treatment (p<0.01). In terms of reduction of hemorrhage, there was significant difference between myrtle ointment and antihemorrhoid ointment (p=0.052). The researchers came to the conclusion that MG Topical Lotion can be administered as adjuvant treatment for the management of symptoms of hemorrhoid degree I and II.(6)
