Most people looking into natural support for bladder problems will come across cranberry, D-mannose, or pumpkin seed oil pretty quickly. But there’s a lesser-known plant that has been used for urinary complaints across the Mediterranean and Middle East for centuries: myrtle, or Myrtus communis.

Myrtle oil for bladder health isn’t something you’ll see discussed much in English-language health resources. That’s partly because the research is still catching up, and partly because it’s overshadowed by better-marketed supplements. But the pharmacological evidence behind myrtle is genuinely interesting, and worth examining honestly.

I want to be upfront about something before we go further: there are no published clinical trials testing myrtle oil directly for bladder conditions like nocturia or overactive bladder. What we do have is solid lab research showing that myrtle’s active compounds work through the same mechanisms as prescription bladder medications. That’s promising, but it’s not the same as proof that it works in real patients.

With that caveat in mind, here’s what the science actually tells us about myrtle oil for bladder health.

What Is Myrtle Oil?

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is an aromatic evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean. The essential oil extracted from its leaves contains several bioactive compounds, the most important being 1,8-cineole (also called eucalyptol), alpha-pinene, myrtenyl acetate, and linalool 1.

In traditional medicine systems across Iran, Turkey, and North Africa, myrtle preparations have been used as urinary antiseptics and for digestive complaints. A 2024 review in Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology documented these traditional uses and noted the plant’s smooth muscle relaxant properties 2.

1. Antispasmodic Action Through Calcium Channel Blocking

This is probably the most relevant finding for anyone dealing with bladder spasms or overactive bladder.

The drugs most commonly prescribed for overactive bladder (oxybutynin, tolterodine, solifenacin) work largely by reducing involuntary bladder muscle contractions. It turns out myrtle extract appears to work through a similar pathway.

A 2013 study published in the Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology found that methanolic extract of myrtle caused complete relaxation of smooth muscle contractions in isolated tissue. The effect was comparable to verapamil, a standard calcium channel blocker. The researchers concluded the mechanism operates through “blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels and anticholinergic activity” 3.

Why does this matter for your bladder? Because L-type calcium channels are essential for detrusor muscle contraction (that’s the muscle that squeezes your bladder). A landmark 2004 study in the FASEB Journal showed that without functional Cav1.2 calcium channels, bladder contractions were reduced tenfold 4.

Connecting these dots: myrtle compounds block the calcium channels that your bladder muscle needs to contract. In theory, this could reduce the involuntary contractions that cause urgency and frequency.

My take: The mechanism is solid and mirrors how prescription bladder medications work. But “works in a lab dish” and “works in a human bladder” are different things. We need clinical trials to know if the effect is meaningful at realistic doses.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties (COX-2 Inhibition)

Bladder inflammation plays a role in several urinary conditions, particularly interstitial cystitis and painful bladder syndrome. If myrtle oil can reduce bladder inflammation, that’s relevant.

A 2023 study tested Algerian myrtle essential oil for anti-inflammatory activity using both lab assays and a rat model. The results were striking: myrtle oil achieved about 63% inhibition of protein denaturation (a marker of inflammation) and performed comparably to diclofenac in reducing paw edema in rats. Molecular docking analysis showed that nine compounds in myrtle oil bound to COX-2 (a key inflammation enzyme) with stronger affinity than diclofenac itself 5.

Worth noting: COX-2 is one of the pathways involved in bladder wall inflammation. If myrtle compounds can inhibit COX-2 as effectively as the lab data suggests, there’s a plausible case for reducing inflammatory bladder pain. But again, we’re extrapolating from general inflammation studies, not bladder-specific research.

3. Antimicrobial Activity Against UTI Pathogens

Here’s where myrtle oil for bladder health gets more directly relevant. One study specifically tested myrtle extract against bacteria isolated from actual urinary tract infection patients.

Researchers tested Myrtus communis extract against 120 E. coli isolates collected from UTI urine cultures. Eighty of these were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing strains, meaning they were resistant to many common antibiotics. Myrtle extract showed antibacterial activity against these drug-resistant UTI pathogens 6.

A separate 2022 study found that myrtle leaf essential oil inhibited S. aureus biofilm formation by about 42% at low concentrations. Biofilms are a major reason recurrent UTIs keep coming back; bacteria form a protective coating on the bladder wall that antibiotics struggle to penetrate 7.

The catch: Lab antibacterial activity is one of the most over-hyped findings in supplement research. Lots of plant extracts kill bacteria in a petri dish. The question is whether myrtle compounds reach the urinary tract in sufficient concentrations after oral ingestion. We don’t have that pharmacokinetic data yet.

4. Smooth Muscle Relaxation via Alpha-Pinene

Alpha-pinene is one of the major components of myrtle oil, making up roughly 33-51% of the essential oil depending on the plant’s origin. A 2023 study in the American Journal of Physiology demonstrated that alpha-pinene causes significant smooth muscle relaxation through a different pathway than calcium channel blocking: it works via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the guanylyl cyclase signaling cascade 8.

The study showed about 60% tension reduction in isolated blood vessels at relatively low concentrations.

Why this matters: This gives myrtle oil two independent mechanisms for relaxing smooth muscle. Calcium channel blocking from 1,8-cineole (benefit #1) plus NO-mediated relaxation from alpha-pinene. Multiple mechanisms acting together could potentially produce a stronger effect than either alone.

A 2022 study in Veterinary Research Forum confirmed this spasmolytic activity, showing that 1,8-cineole blocked contractions induced by carbachol, a chemical that mimics the nerve signals triggering bladder contractions. The authors concluded it has “good potential for producing antispasmodics” 9.

5. Centuries of Traditional Use as a Urinary Remedy

I’m including this not because traditional use proves effectiveness, but because it provides context for why researchers are investigating myrtle for bladder health in the first place.

A 2017 review documented myrtle’s use across multiple traditional medicine systems, including Unani medicine (widely practiced in South Asia and the Middle East), where it has been employed as a urinary antiseptic. The plant is also traditionally used for its “spasmolytic, bronchodilator, and vasodilator activities” 10.

A comprehensive 2023 review in Physiological Reports catalogued myrtle’s biological effects and confirmed it functions as “a protective agent against chemical, natural, and radiational toxins” through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial mechanisms 11.

My take: Traditional use spanning centuries across multiple cultures is worth noting, but it doesn’t substitute for clinical evidence. Plenty of traditional remedies haven’t held up to rigorous testing. What makes myrtle interesting is that the traditional uses are now backed by identifiable pharmacological mechanisms.

Safety Profile and Side Effects

Based on the available toxicology data, myrtle oil appears to have a reasonable safety profile at normal doses. A mouse study found that both aqueous and ethanolic myrtle extracts demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, with LD50 values of 0.473 g/kg and 0.79 g/kg respectively 12. Another study specifically noted that myrtle extracts were “practically nontoxic and highly safe as no lethality was observed” at tested doses 13.

An older but relevant toxicity study found that therapeutic human doses of myrtle essential oil (1-2 ml daily) were unlikely to produce significant liver changes, though higher doses did increase liver enzyme activity in rats 14.

One concern worth flagging: The same 2022 study that found antimicrobial activity also reported that myrtle oil inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) 7. AChE inhibition increases acetylcholine activity, which could theoretically increase bladder contractions — the opposite of what you’d want for overactive bladder. The concentration needed for this effect (IC50 of 32.8 microg/ml) was relatively high, and it’s unclear whether this would be clinically relevant at normal supplemental doses. But it’s a complexity that deserves mention.

Potential side effects based on the pharmacological profile include:

Gastrointestinal discomfort at higher doses
Possible interactions with calcium channel blockers (additive effect)
Possible interactions with anticholinergic medications
Skin irritation if applied topically undiluted (as with most essential oils)
Not recommended during pregnancy due to smooth muscle relaxant properties

When to See a Doctor

Myrtle oil is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. See a doctor if you experience:

Waking up more than twice per night to urinate (nocturia may indicate nocturnal polyuria or other conditions)
Sudden onset of urinary frequency or urgency
Pain or burning during urination (dysuria)
Blood in your urine (hematuria)
Difficulty emptying your bladder (urinary retention)
Recurrent urinary tract infections

These symptoms can indicate conditions ranging from benign prostatic hyperplasia to bladder cancer, and they require proper medical evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can myrtle oil actually help with overactive bladder?

There is no direct clinical evidence yet. However, lab studies show that myrtle’s active compounds (1,8-cineole and alpha-pinene) block the same calcium channels and smooth muscle pathways that prescription overactive bladder medications target. This makes it a plausible candidate, but clinical trials in humans are needed before any claims can be made.

Is myrtle oil safe to take orally for bladder problems?

Myrtle essential oil has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and toxicity studies suggest it is relatively safe at therapeutic doses (1-2 ml daily of essential oil). However, essential oils are potent and should not be taken internally without guidance from a healthcare provider. Capsulated myrtle leaf extract is generally considered the safer supplemental form.

How is myrtle oil different from cranberry for urinary health?

They work through entirely different mechanisms. Cranberry primarily prevents bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall (anti-adhesion), while myrtle oil’s main proposed benefit is relaxing bladder smooth muscle to reduce spasms and urgency. Cranberry has much stronger clinical evidence for UTI prevention specifically. Myrtle oil’s potential niche is for overactive bladder symptoms, where cranberry doesn’t really apply.

Does myrtle oil interact with bladder medications?

Potentially, yes. Because myrtle compounds appear to block calcium channels and have anticholinergic effects, taking them alongside prescription bladder medications (like oxybutynin or tolterodine) could theoretically amplify these effects. Always discuss supplements with your doctor if you’re taking prescription medications.

How long would myrtle oil take to help with bladder symptoms?

Honestly, we don’t know. Without clinical trials, there’s no data on optimal dosing, duration, or expected timeline for bladder-related benefits from myrtle oil. If you choose to try it, give it at least 4-6 weeks (as is standard for most herbal supplements) and track your symptoms to see if there’s any change.

Where can I find myrtle oil supplements for bladder health?

Myrtle (Myrtus communis) essential oil and leaf extract capsules are available from specialty herbal supplement retailers. Look for products that list their 1,8-cineole and alpha-pinene content, since these are the compounds most relevant to bladder smooth muscle relaxation. Be aware that quality varies widely and this is not yet a mainstream supplement.

Summary

Myrtle oil for bladder health is an interesting but still unproven area. The pharmacological evidence is genuinely interesting: antispasmodic effects through calcium channel blocking, anti-inflammatory activity comparable to conventional drugs, antimicrobial action against UTI pathogens, and smooth muscle relaxation through multiple pathways. These mechanisms overlap significantly with how prescription bladder medications work.

But compelling mechanisms don’t automatically translate to clinical benefits. The biggest gap in the research is the complete absence of human clinical trials testing myrtle for any bladder condition. Until those studies happen, myrtle oil for bladder health remains a “scientifically plausible but clinically unproven” option.

If you’re considering trying myrtle oil for bladder symptoms, talk to your doctor first, especially if you’re already on bladder medications. And keep your expectations realistic. The research is at the “this looks worth studying further” stage, not the “this definitely works” stage.

References

Review of pharmacological effects of Myrtus communis L. and its active constituents - Phytotherapy Research (2014)
The therapeutic value of Myrtus communis L.: an updated review - Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology (2024)
Bronchodilator, vasodilator and spasmolytic activities of methanolic extract of Myrtus communis L. - Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology (2013)
An essential role of Cav1.2 L-type calcium channel for urinary bladder function - FASEB Journal (2004)
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Algerian Myrtus communis L. Essential Oils - Pharmaceuticals (2023)
Antibacterial Activity of Some Plant Extracts Against ESBL Producing E. coli Isolates - Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology (2015)
Chemical composition, antibiofilm, cytotoxic, and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities of Myrtus communis L. leaves essential oil - BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)
Endothelial-dependent relaxation of alpha-pinene and metabolites - American Journal of Physiology (2023)
Spasmolytic effect of 1,8 cineole is mediated through calcium channel blockade - Veterinary Research Forum (2022)
Ethnobotanical, Ethnopharmacological, and Phytochemical Studies of Myrtus communis - Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2017)
A review of the biological effects of Myrtus communis - Physiological Reports (2023)
Antinociceptive, Anti-inflammatory Effects and Acute Toxicity of Myrtus communis Extracts - Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2011)
Secondary metabolites and bioactivities of Myrtus communis - Pharmacognosy Research (2010)
Oral toxicity of an essential oil from myrtle and adaptive liver stimulation - Toxicology (1979)