A deciduous shrub growing to 1-2 m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, simple, 2-5 cm long, oblanceolate with a tapered base and broader tip, and a crinkled or finely toothed margin. The flowers are catkins, with male and female catkins on separate plants (dioecious). The fruit is a small drupe.

Abortifacient, aromatic, astringent, emmenagogue and stomachic (leaves); antioxidant, antiviral, astringent, bactericide, diuretic, emetic, errhine, expectorant, fungicide, hepatoprotective, insecticide, insecticide, narcotic, sedative, sialagogue, stimulant, stomachic, toxic and vermifuge (plant)

Plants For A Future
Myrica gale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The plant has been used as a traditional remedy for stomach aches, fever, bronchial ailments and liver problems. It has also been indicated in treating alopecia, boils, anal cancer, liver cancer, splenic cancer, cholera, colic, condyloma, diarrhea, dermatosis, dysentery, dyspepsia, epistaxis, flu, gonorrhea,headache, herpes, hysteria, insomnia, itch, metrorrhagia, nervousness, sclerosis, scrofula, sores, sore throat, splenosis, swellings, toothache, typhoid, warts, water retention. The essential oil is used for treating sensitive skin and acne.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P: 712, CRC Press July 2002.