Is lemon myrtle an eucalyptus?
Myth 1: Lemon Myrtle is a citrus plant But its powerful citrus scent and its name Lemon Myrtle lead many people to believe that it belongs to the citrus family. Lemon Myrtle in fact belongs to the Myrtaceae family, which also includes well-known plants such as eucalyptus. Lemon Myrtle is sometimes referred to as the “Queen of the Lemon Herbs”. It boasts an intensely citrus fragrance and flavour, and has long been used in Aboriginal cuisine and medicine. In the wild, you’ll find it in the subtropical rainforests of central and south-eastern Queensland.The lemon scented leaves are brimming with oil, which contains the strongest and purest citral content of any known plant. SCIENCE TELLS US: Due to its relaxing properties, lemon myrtle has been found to help in cases of stress and poor sleep.Lemon Myrtle is an excellent source of beneficial nutrients and with it’s delicious citrus flavour, it pays to experiment with any meal that would usually incorporate traditional citrus ingredients such as lemons, limes, lemongrass or even lemon scented verbena.Lemon myrtle has also been used for many years as a therapeutic aromatherapy product for oil burners or as a misting spray. Lemon myrtle has antimicrobial and antifungal properties that are superior to those of the popular tea tree oil.More than likely, you’ll know this plant as the lemon myrtle, and if you crush the glossy green leaves in your hand they will release a pungent, distinct lemony smell. Used in essential oils, its lemon scent is said to be ‘more lemony than lemon’ due to a high citral content of 90-97%.
What is another name for lemon myrtle?
Backhousia citriodora (common names lemon myrtle, lemon scented myrtle, lemon scented ironwood) is a flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae, genus Backhousia. It is endemic to subtropical rainforests of central and south-eastern Queensland, Australia, with a natural distribution from Mackay to Brisbane. Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) is a beautiful Australian shrub naturally occurring in the wetter coastal areas of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. It grows up to 3 metres high, with graceful hanging branches of soft green leaves.Lemon myrtles have been used by Indigenous Australians for 40,000 years, by wrapping the leaves in paperbark to flavour fish dishes, and to treat headaches by crushing and inhaling the leaves. The leaf was used for food flavouring and as an insect repellent when the volatile leaves were burned on the campfire.Lemon myrtle is highly aromatic, with hints of lemongrass, lime and lemon. While aboriginals have been using it for years, chefs and home cooks are now discovering the ‘bush tucker’ benefits in flavouring dishes, especially beef, chicken, fish and rice dishes.Cooking: Lemon myrtle leaves, whether dried or fresh, are commonly used as a seasoning in cooking. They can be added to a wide range of dishes, including soups, sauces, marinades, dressings, and baked goods, to impart a vibrant lemon flavour.
Is lemon myrtle the same as lemongrass?
Lemon Myrtle and Lemongrass contain many of the same chemical compounds, giving them similar aromatic profiles and supportive benefits. Pure Lemon Myrtle essential oil contains an exceptionally high concentration of citral, the common name given to a naturally occurring mixture of geranial and neral. Lemon myrtle tea has a high citral content at 90%, beating out lemongrass. This high citral content means that lemon myrtle tea is rich in antioxidants, and its antimicrobial properties make it a powerful component in boosting oral health and fighting infections.
Can I eat lemon myrtle?
Lemon myrtles have been used by Indigenous Australians for 40,000 years, by wrapping the leaves in paperbark to flavour fish dishes, and to treat headaches by crushing and inhaling the leaves. The leaf was used for food flavouring and as an insect repellent when the volatile leaves were burned on the campfire. Lemon myrtle has quite the history. For centuries, Australian Aboriginal people have used the leaves (which are prominent in bush foods) as a seasoning. They also used it as bush medicine (today the health benefits attributed to lemon myrtle are many and varied).The best native Australian plants that keep mosquitoes and other unwanted insects away are species rich in aromatic oils, such as Lemon Myrtle, various Mint Bushes, and different kinds of Paperbarks.Lemon myrtle essential oil is derived from the leaves of the lemon myrtle tree, native to Australia. It has a strong, citrusy scent that mosquitoes find repulsive. Castor oil, on the other hand, is extracted from the seeds of the castor bean plant.
What is lemon myrtle used for?
Native Indigenous Australians often wrapped Lemon Myrtle leaves in paperbark and used it to add flavour to fish and various other meals. They would also crush and inhale the herb as a natural remedy for treating health issues such as headaches, muscle pain, wounds and stress. Some say placing a cut lemon with salt by your bed can promote relaxation, purify the air, and even support your respiratory system while you sleep. The secret? Lemons release calming citrus compounds, while salt helps absorb moisture and airborne impurities.Hot lemon water may induce relaxation before bed, which could help with sleep. It can also help with general hydration. Lemon contains vitamin C, which is important for several bodily functions.Lemon myrtle has a calming, sedative effect that can gently still the mind. Add a few leaves to a cup of warm water before bedtime or use the essential oil in an aroma diffuser to unwind and relax ancient wisdom paired with modern stress relief.
How to identify a lemon myrtle tree?
Lemon myrtle is a rainforest tree, native to sub-tropical Queensland, growing 6-8 metres high, with a width of 3-5 metres. It has attractive dark green leaves, a low-branching habit and is adorned with clusters of white flowers in summer. MYRTLE (Heb. Hadas), Myrtus communis, a shrub, and occasionally a tree, possessing fragrant and glossy leaves.A well-known reference is Isaiah 55:13—“Instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle tree. The myrtle is undoubtedly Myrtus communis. This grows abundantly in Pal. Lake of Galilee and near Samaria and Jerusalem.