With a warm, refreshingly sweet lemon-like aroma and an abundance of health benefits, there’s no wonder Lemon Myrtle Oil is a crowd favourite among aromatherapy and natural health remedy fans.
In this article we’ll look at the benefits Lemon Myrtle Oil can bring to your mind, body and home, and how to best incorporate it into your routine.
What is Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil?
The Lemon Myrtle plant – or Backhousia citriodora - is an Australian native, used by indigenous people over several millennia as a medicinal herb. Nowadays, extracted into an essential oil, it has claimed an entirely new audience in natural well-being circles.
Lemon Myrtle is likely best known for its sharp yet refreshing smell, so zesty that some even say its lemonier than lemon itself! It’s all down to the plant’s leaves, which contain the highest amount of Citral in any fruits the world over.
Thankfully, its encapsulating aroma carries over when those leaves are steam distilled into an essential oil. But there is plenty more magic to this aromatherapy favourite, with Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil used widely for health, hair and housekeeping!
Benefits of Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil
If you’re looking for an essential oils all-rounder that works hard to improve your health and smells incredible as it meanders through your home, then you’ve found the perfect pot of purity with Lemon Myrtle Oil.
So, what are the main benefits in this essential oil's repertoire?
Lemon Myrtle health benefits
Supports the immune system
The antimicrobial and antifungal properties of Lemon Myrtle Oil can help combat infections, reducing the burden on the immune system. What’s more, one study suggests that citral contains antiviral properties, which can help prevent the body from picking up common viruses.
Helps soothe respiratory conditions
Whether you’ve got a sniffle or a full-blown head cold, using Lemon Myrtle medicinally might be your answer to clearer airways.
Rich in citral, Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil’s high levels of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties have been seen to help ease congestion and stuffiness.
Used topically when diluted in a carrier oil or via inhalation, it is known to help assist with respiratory related illnesses such as bronchitis and excessive coughing.
May help ease inflammation and muscle pain
Suffering from a sore body? It's time to reach for the Lemon Myrtle Oil!
When diluted and applied topically, the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties present in Lemon Myrtle Oil may help relieve muscle pain and inflammation.
Lemon Myrtle Oil also contains natural antispasmodic properties that have been seen to help relieve fatigued and tired muscles.
Known to help keep skin clear and glowing
When it comes to skin support, there are SO many ways Lemon Myrtle can help you.
Diluted and applied topically, Lemon Myrtle Oil is said to mimic human sebum, helping tackle excess oil in the skin. This makes it a favourite among people with oily or acne-prone skin.
Additionally, the oil’s anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe irritated skin, diminish redness, and improve the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis.
Lemon myrtle is abundant in antioxidants that naturally fight free radicals, shielding the skin from oxidative stress and environmental harm. This protective action helps the skin remain youthful and radiant, slowing the ageing process.
The properties of Lemon Myrtle Oil have also been seen to strengthen capillaries, helping minimise dark circles under the eyes.
Lemon Myrtle haircare benefits
Not only will Lemon Myrtle Oil help your skin, but it provides incredible support for your hair too.
The antimicrobial and antifungal properties in Lemon Myrtle promote a healthy scalp, combatting dandruff and infections while reducing flakes and itchiness. As an anti-inflammatory, it also calms the scalp and reduces redness.
Additionally, Lemon Myrtle Oil enhances hair strength and shine, removing impurities and leaving the hair in greater, stronger condition with less split ends and breakages.
Household benefits of Lemon Myrtle Oil
The potent antibacterial, antifungal and germicidal properties of Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil make it one of the most popular essential oils for cleaning.
It contains a significantly high percentage of citral, a compound that boasts antibacterial properties. Not to mention it also has a natural refreshing scent of lemon which fills your space with its incredible aroma!
Lemon Myrtle aromatherapy benefits
Among its multiple benefits, one of the greatest is Lemon Myrtle Oil’s ability to soothe the mind.
Used in aromatherapy, the cheerful and revitalising essence of Lemon Myrtle Oil has been seen to act as a natural anti-depressant, helping anxious minds feel less overwhelmed. The fresh, citrusy aroma can also help invigorate the mind and enhance focus.
Popular Ways to Use Myrtle Oil
Topically (On the Skin)
To enjoy the many Lemon Myrtle benefits for skin, dilute a few drops into a carrier oil and apply using one of the below methods:
- All over skin support: Add a few drops of Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil to your carrier oil of choice, such as Jojoba or Macadamia, at a 2-4% dilution.
- Facial serum: To create a Lemon Myrtle skin serum, simply add a few drops to your choice of carrier oil at a 1% dilution. Apply the mixture to affected areas using a cotton ball and allow the serum to absorb into the skin.
- As a bath soak: If you want to ease inflammation, muscle spasms and soreness, add a few drops of Lemon Myrtle Oil to a warm bath.
In a Diffuser
To experience the benefits of Lemon Myrtle Oil through inhalation, use an aromatherapy diffuser and via apply this method:
- Add some water to the diffuser basin
- Add roughly 5 drops of Lemon Myrtle Oil
- Plug in, start your diffuser and enjoy!
Or try blending your Lemon Myrtle Oil with other oils using one of our favourite blends recipes below:
- To calm the nerves
-
- 3 drops Lemon Myrtle Oil
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang Oil
- 1 drop Vetiver Oil
- To cleanse the air
-
- 2 drops Lemon Myrtle Oil
- 1 Drop Sweet Orange Oil
- 1 Drop Cinnamon Bark Oil
As a Household Cleaner
To create an all-natural surface cleaner, mix ½ cup of white vinegar and 10-15 drops of Lemon Myrtle Oil in a bottle and shake well before use.
As a Clothes Detergent
Mix a few drops of Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil with your washing detergent to give your clothes a wonderfully refreshing smell.
How to Know if your Lemon Myrtle Oil is Good Quality
Not all Lemon Myrtle Essential Oils are of the highest standard, so it’s important to look for a quality, 100% pure oil to enjoy its benefits to their full potential.
When you're shopping for Lemon Myrtle Oil, look for the following features:
Top 6 things to look for:
- Lemon Myrtle Oil’s Latin botanical name, Backhousia citriodora, listed on the bottle. If a product doesn’t have the Latin name listed, it’s probably a mix of synthetic ‘fragrance oils’.
- The oil is packaged in a dark glass bottle. This will prevent light and heat from damaging the oil.
- The label clearly states ‘100% pure Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil’. This will ensure the product isn’t blended with any other oils.
- Be sure to check the expiry date if buying in a store.
- The product clearly states where the oil originates from.
- Be wary of a very low price. It could be an indicator of low quality or adulterated essential oils.
At AWO, our Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil is sourced from Australia and is not diluted with other ingredients. This means you’re getting exactly what you pay for – 100% pure Lemon Myrtle Oil naturally extracted via steam distillation.
Considerations for Use
While rare, some potential Lemon Myrtle Oil side effects include skin sensitivity and irritations. For this reason, we always recommend performing a skin patch test before incorporating diluted Lemon Myrtle Oil into your routine.
Essential Oils like Lemon Myrtle Oil are highly concentrated, powerful oils that can cause serious harm if ingested without the necessary expertise. For this reason, the general public is NOT recommended to consume essential oils.
We also recommend storing your Lemon Myrtle Oil in a cool, dry place at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children or pets.
Customer Reviews
“This oil is gorgeous. The smell is so fresh and the uses are endless. I get so many comments, especially about my car diffuser”
Mel (Verified Customer)
“I love this product, it’s the best on the market and believe me, I’ve tried just about every brand. I’ve started buying the biggest size bottle available because I use it daily. My home smells amazing, visitors always comment on it and it’s an Australian brand so bonus points for that too!”
Teri (Verified Customer)