Wendy's Healing Compendium 13.37: That Damn Fine Bog Myrtle

Sweet gale (Myrica gale) is one badass little shrub that's been kicking around in wetlands since before humans got their act together. This tough-as-nails plant has been making wetlands smell amazing and healing people's sorry butts for centuries across the Northern hemisphere. The Indigenous peoples of North America weren't messing around when they figured out this plant could handle everything from skin problems to keeping those annoying mosquitos away. When you get up close to this scrappy shrub, you'll catch a whiff of its spicy-sweet scent that comes from the same compounds that make it so freaking useful. Back in the day, Vikings weren't playing when they used this stuff to preserve their beer and keep their clothes smelling less like crap.

Description

Sweet gale is a bushy shrub that doesn't give a damn about your garden rules, growing wild and free in wet areas. The leaves look like they've been hitting the gym - thick, dark green, and slightly serrated like they're ready for a fight. When autumn rolls around, these leaves don't just fade away like some basic plant - they throw down with a show of golden yellow. The plant rocks separate male and female flowers, because why the hell not make things interesting. The females end up producing these little nutlets covered in waxy stuff that makes them look like they're wearing armor.

Cultivation

Growing sweet gale is like dealing with that friend who's super picky about their living situation - it needs exactly what it wants or it'll throw a fit. This wetland warrior demands acidic soil and won't take no for an answer about getting its feet wet. You better believe it needs full sun to partial shade, because this plant doesn't do well with any half-baked lighting situation. The seeds need to chill out in cold stratification before they'll even think about sprouting, so don't rush them. If you're not patient enough for seeds, you can take cuttings in spring, but they better be semi-ripe or don't even bother.

Medicinal Uses

Anti-inflammatory

This plant doesn't mess around when it comes to bringing down inflammation - it's got compounds that tell swelling to back the hell off. The essential oils work like a bouncer at a club, keeping inflammatory responses in check.

Antimicrobial

Sweet gale comes loaded with natural compounds that tell bacteria to get lost. Research shows it can throw hands with several types of harmful microorganisms and come out winning.

Insect Repellent

Bugs take one whiff of this stuff and say "nope, not today." The plant's natural oils make insects think twice about trying to make you their next meal.

How to Use