Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora)

Lemon Myrtle, a native to North-Eastern New South Wales, Queensland (Australia), is used in Australian bush cuisine, perfumery and aromatherapy applications. The essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves and twigs of the plantation grown trees, producing an oil with a fine, rounded lemon scent with mild spicy undertones and long-lasting characteristics.

Uses in Natural Skin Care Products:
As Lemon Myrtle is a relatively recent addition to the essential oil compendium its applications in cosmetics are yet to be fully explored. However, its citrusy aroma provides an uplifting tone to oil blends and it has been included in Wildcrafted’s Refreshing Massage Oil Blend.

Traditional Medicinal Uses:
Lemon Myrtle contains Citral and has anti-bacterial properties with uses similar to Lemon-scented Tea Tree.

Cautions and Contraindications: As citral, the primary component of lemon Myrtle, has the potential to be a skin irritant always use diluted in direct skin applications. Maximum suggested usage ratio is 1%.