Clinical Applications of Myrtus communis L. in Traditional and Modern Medicine: A Scoping Review

Background: Myrtus communis L. (MC), or common myrtle, is a member of the Myrtaceae family and has been widely used in herbal medicine, including Persian medicine (PM), the Unani system, and modern medical research. Objectives: This review aimed to explore MC berries, leaves, seeds, and essential oils’ therapeutic and biochemical properties in PM and contemporary scientific studies. Methods: Modern research was sourced from databases, such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, Embase, and PubMed. PM sources included key traditional textbooks, such as ‘the canon of medicine,’ ‘Makhzan al-Adviyah,’ and others. The search was based on the keywords Myrtus communis or myrtle in new sources and Mord or Habb-ul-Aas in traditional medicine sources. Results: In PM, MC has been used for neurological (headaches, epilepsy), ophthalmic (conjunctivitis), head and neck (toothache, earache, gingivitis), respiratory (cough, tuberculosis), gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD, diarrhea), urogenital (bladder stones, dysuria), and skin conditions (warts, burns, acne). Modern studies have confirmed its efficacy in treating urogenital infections (vaginitis, human papillomavirus [HPV]), skin issues (acne and warts), GERD, and head and neck conditions (aphthous stomatitis). In vivo and in vitro studies have shown antiparasitic, cardiovascular, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects (Alzheimer’s and insomnia). Conclusion: Modern research has validated many traditional uses of MC; however, further studies are required to confirm its medical benefits comprehensively.