Description
Lemon Myrtle essential oil is one of Australia’s newest and most exciting aromas. It is wonderfully uplifting and refreshing. This beautiful essential oil will help to freshen the air in a home or room, while the aroma will appeal to both men and women.
Aroma
Uplifting lemon aroma; a wonderful yet smooth and rich lemon smell. Pleasant for men, women and children.
Benefits
Uplifting and relaxing, it can also be sedative and calming; improves concentration and is anti-depressive. It soothes the symptoms of hypertension; aids happiness and promotes rest; removes bad room smells, and may help to calm noisy children.
Natural Occurrence in Australia
Lemon Myrtle trees naturally occur in the rainforests of Queensland from Brisbane to the Atherton Tablelands. The tree is not common and generally grows to a maximum height of 30 metres in the wild. It prefers high and regular rainfall and soils with good drainage to flourish.
Characteristics of Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil
Clear to amber yellow in colour; watery consistency; scented citrus/lemony.
History – Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil
Traditional Usage
There is no evidence of indigenous use of this coastal rain forest tree, as this tree occurred close to the coast, where European first settlement took place, however it is reasonable to assume indigenous people used the leaves in water and also flavouring.
Early European Usage
Lemon Myrtle was first discovered by white settlers in 1856 around the Moreton Bay area of south east Queensland and recorded by renowned Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller. By 1888 the first Lemon Myrtle essential oil distillation is thought to have occurred. Several small distillations plants sourcing wild populations of Lemon Myrtle trees, operated around the Gympie area through to the end of World War 1. When raw materials (lemon essences) were in short supply during World War 2, Lemon Myrtle distillation began again but ceased after World War 2.
