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Lemon Myrtle

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(Backhousia citriodora)
Traditionally used to support healthy breathing, immune response and to soothe minor skin issues. It is uplifting and may promote restful sleep.

 Info

Lemon Myrtle
Backhousia citriodora

Plant Origin: Australia
Method: Steam distilled leaves
Cultivation: Unsprayed (grown organically but not certified)
Chemical Family: Aldehyde
Aroma: Fresh, citrusy, lemony, sweet (one of the cleanest, freshest aromas in nature)
Note (Evaporation Rate): Middle-Top

Key Constituents from GC/MS Analysis: Lot #113
geranial 49.81%
neral 38.29%
geraniol 0.84%
exo-isocitral 0.17%

Lemon Myrtle is an excellent natural source of citral (geranial and neral). Properties of citral include: airborne antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antifungal, antifungal (candida), antispasmodic, antitumoral, antiviral, sedative.

Safety Information
Children: Use caution with infants and children under 2 years of age. Contains Citral (Geranial), which is a strong sensitizer. Avoid use on broken skin. Suggested dilution for topical use: 7 drops per fluid ounce (0.7%).

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Avoid oral use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Robert Tisserand reported at a Clinical Safety Aromatherapy conference (2013) that there is a possibility that Citral (in Lemon Myrtle) may affect tooth and bone development in the fetus. "Citral impairs reproductive performance in female rats by reducing the number of ovarian follicles (Toaff et al 1979). The effect, however, was seen only after a series of six monthly ip injections at a dose of 300 mg/kg. This is equivalent to injecting ~ 25mL of lemongrass oil into a woman's abdomen. Based on other research, we have restricted citral exposure in pregnancy." Tisserand's maximum daily oral dose during pregnancy is less than 2 drops (46mg).

Medication/Health Issue:
Caution All Routes: Drugs metabolized by CYP2B6 (if unsure, ask your MD or pharmacist)
Caution Orally: Diabetes medication,

Therapeutic Uses
Lemon Myrtle essential oil may support, aid, ease, soothe, reduce, calm, relax, promote and/or maintain healthy function of the following:

Acne

Antimicrobial

Athlete’s foot

Bacteria

Bronchitis

Calming
Candida

Circulation

Cleaning - Add several drops to dish washing liquid or mop water.

Colds

Cold sores

Colitis

Concentration

Congestion, lungs

Cleaning

Digestion, gas, indigestion

Fever

Flatulence/gas

Flu
Folliculitis

Freshen air (diffuse)

Fungus

Genital Herpes

Headache

Infection

Immune system

Indigestion

Insect deterrent, including moths and silverfish

Lactation, may increase

Mold (3 drops in 6oz water - will not necessarily remove mold stain, but should deal with mold spores)

Moths, deter

Muscle minor aches and pain

Nervous exhaustion (Wildwood)

Odors

Relaxing

Scabies

Sedative

Sinus, congestion

Skin, oily

Sleep

Stress

Uplifting

Three drops in 6 oz water applied to mold is reported to kill mold spores (but will not necessarily remove mold stain).

Research
Lemon Myrtle is an extremely potent anti-bacterial and germicide that is reputed to be a much more effective germ killer than the more familiar Tea Tree essential oil (Kerr, 2002).

It has been noted to benefit acne, chest congestion, colds, sinus congestion, flu, oily skin, repels moths, mosquitoes and silverfish. Lemon Myrtle is ideal to diffuse in winter months with its cheerful lemon scent and powerful germicidal action. It is also relaxing, uplifting and soothing for sleep time, even for those who suffer with insomnia. Ideal to use in ointments for cold sores and genital herpes (Purchon/Cantele).

Molluscum Contagiosum
Lemon Myrtle is used by physicians (at 10% dilution) to treat Molluscum Contagiosum, which is a contagious disease of the skin marked by the occurrence of rounded soft tumors of the skin caused by the growth of a virus. Because this oil is thought to be highly irritating to the skin, we recommend that you properly dilute Lemon Myrtle if you try it so that the skin is not irritated. "In the clinical trial, 31 children (mean age 4.6 years) were treated for molluscum contagiosum with a 10% solution of lemon myrtle oil in olive oil daily for 21 days with 90% reduction in the number of lesions in 9/16 children. There were no significant adverse effects (Burke et al 2004)."

Molluscum Contagiosum is characterized by the appearance of a few to numerous small, pearly, umbilicated down growths called molluscum bodies or condyloma subcutaneum. Molluscum contagiosum is mainly seen in children. In teenagers and adults it is often transmitted sexually, and as such may be considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is a benign disorder that usually clears up by itself.

Also see HEO's Molluscum Contagiosum Blend

2.0 ml Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
2.0 ml Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora)
0.5 ml Thyme ct thymol (Thymus vulgaris)
0.5 ml Melissa (Melissa officinalis)
Carrier Oils
2.0 ml Tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum)
2.0 ml St. John's Wort infused oil (Hypericum perforatum)
5.0 ml Rose Hip Seed Oil (Rosa rubiginosa)

The essential oils have anti-viral properties and promote skin healing. They should reduce scarring and strengthen immune deficiencies. The carrier oils are known to assist wound healing and skin regeneration.

The mixture was applied directly to the lesions three times daily using a cotton swab soaked in the blend. It was reported in the article that by the second day, all lesions were reduced in size. By the fifth day were completely resolved, and no skin irritation was observed. The mother had been instructed to add another 5ml of the St John's Wort infused oil to the formula if any skin irritation was observed.
[Harris, R. Case study Molluscum contagiosum. Int. J. Aromatherapy. 2004; 14: 139-40]

Blends well with:
Citrus oils
Bay Laurel
Eucalyptus
Pine
Rosemary
Thyme

Application Suggestions (See Essential Oil Usage for more information and a Dilution Chart.)

Topical: Dilute with a carrier oil, unscented lotion or unscented cream and apply on area of concern or as desired. Consider using a roll-on applicator for ease of application of prediluted oil. Possible skin sensitivity - for some, even a 1% dilution may irritate the skin.
Tisserand's suggested dilution for topical use: 7 drops per fluid ounce (0.7%).

Children: Use caution with infants and children under 2 years of age. Contains Citral (Geranial), which is a strong sensitizer. Avoid use on broken skin. Suggested dilution for topical use should not exceed 7 drops per fluid ounce (0.7%).

Inhalation: Diffuse or use a personal Nasal Inhaler, use as an air freshener, add several drops to water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray.

Internal: Lemon Myrtle is suitable for internal use within safe parameters if such use is deemed appropriate. We feel that internal use is rarely *needed* and should only be used with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. In our experience, essential oils are generally more effective used topically with proper dilution or inhaled. Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much. Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils. It is not a matter of using "French" or "British" methods, it's a matter of experience and appropriate application.

Pregnancy: Tisserand's maximum daily oral dose during pregnancy is less than 2 drops (46mg).

Oral Caution: CYP2B6 substrates (some antidepressants) and diabetes medication.
Click here for information about internal usage.

May be used in food preparations such as:
vinaigrette
mayonnaise
salad dressings
cold custards
sorbets
cheese cakes
ice cream
milk or oil based foods where no heat is applied after the oil has been added

NOTE: Because of its potency, just a drop or two will usually be enough - a little will go a long way.

Testimonies
The following anecdotal testimonies have not been reviewed by the FDA.
The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure disease.
Information shared on the HEO website is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice given by your trusted health care provider.
We believe that essential oils are provided by the Lord to support our health and well-being.
The Lord is our wisdom, protector and healer.
(Genesis 1:29-30, Ezekiel 47:12)

1. Since diffusing this oil, we've had no colds or flu, and sinus issues vanished. Even food moths, silverfish and other unwanted creepy crawlers have virtually disappeared, not to mention that the house smells wonderful.

2. I use this beautiful oil in a lotion I make. One drop in an 8 oz jar is all it takes - this oil is incredible!

3. I know we are supposed to dilute this oil, but we put just a dab undiluted on a zit (acne) and it disappears fast, without any skin irritation at all.

4. Cigarette Smoke: When we moved into a home where the previous owners had smoked for many years, I mixed up a cleaning spray with Lemon Myrtle. We used it to clean the walls, cabinets, floors and anything that could handle being cleaned. Not only did it clean well, but the smoke odor never returned and the house smelled fresh and clean! For a quart, I used about 10+ drops Lemon Myrtle, added that to a small amount of Castille soap. - Amy

5. The other day I used Lemon Myrtle (diluted) on my chest and back of my neck, and I slept all night in a very deep sleep, which was so nice! - Lana

Safety
Contains Citral (Geranial), which is a strong sensitizer. Avoid use on broken skin. Suggested dilution for topical use: 7 drops per fluid ounce (0.7%). Use caution with infants and children under 2 years of age.

Pharmaceutical Drug Cautions:
Use with caution both topically and orally if taking drugs metabolized by CYP2B6 (some antidepressants).
Use with caution orally if taking diabetes medication.
Valnet mentions that some oils containing aldehydes (citral in Lemon Myrtle) and ketones and some alcohols can "inactivate antibiotics and so limit their use in ointment form.”

Pregnancy / Breastfeeding Caution: Avoid oral use during pregnancy or lactation. Robert Tisserand reported at a Clinical Safety Aromatherapy conference (2013) that there is a possibility that Citral (in Lemon Myrtle) may affect tooth and bone development in the fetus. "Citral impairs reproductive performance in female rats by reducing the number of ovarian follicles (Toaff et al 1979). The effect, however, was seen only after a series of six monthly ip injections at a dose of 300 mg/kg. This is equivalent to injecting ~ 25mL of lemongrass oil into a woman's abdomen. Based on other research, we have restricted citral exposure in pregnancy" (Tisserand, page 149).

Avoid contact with the eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oils are both lipophilic and hydrophobic. Lipophilic means they are attracted to fat— like the membranes of your eyes and skin. They are also hydrophobic, meaning they do not like water. Applying a carrier oil will create another fat for the essential oil to be attracted to other than the membranes of the eyes or skin. Tisserand suggests: "With essential oils, fatty oil has been suggested as an appropriate first aid treatment, though the advantage of saline [eyewash] is that the eyes can be continually flushed, and this is less easy with fatty oil.” We are not aware of a case where essential oil in the eyes caused permanent injury or long-term discomfort, but if you feel concerned, please call your health care provider.

References
Battaglia, Salvatore, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 2002, page 291-292.
Price, Shirley and Len, Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Fourth Edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2012.
Purchon, Nerys; Cantele, Lora, Complete Aromatheapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness, page 87.
Tisserand, Robert; Young, Rodney, Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, Elsevier Health Sciences UK 2nd Edition 2014, page 149, 360-361.
Wildwood, Chrissie, Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy, Bloomsbury Publishing, 1996, 271-272.

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May the Lord guide you continually, preserving your health and watering your life when you are dry. May you be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring full of hope for your future in His care.
From Isaiah 58:11 & Jeremiah 29:11