Lemon Myrtle

botanical

What is it

Lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) is an Australian native tree whose leaves and essential oil are used in food, beverages, cosmetics, and as antimicrobial preparations. It has a strong lemon-citrus aroma from a high citral content.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Topical antimicrobial

Mixed

Lab studies show antimicrobial activity. Clinical evidence for specific skin conditions is limited.

How it works

The essential oil is rich in citral (geranial and neral), often 90%+ of the oil. Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against various bacteria, fungi, and viruses in lab studies. Topical preparations are used for skin conditions and cosmetic purposes. Oral leaf at culinary amounts is used as a flavoring; concentrated essential oil should not be ingested.

Dosage

Leaf: culinary amounts (a teaspoon of dried leaf in cooking or tea). Essential oil: external use only at dilute concentrations (typically 1-2% in carrier oils).

When and how to take it

Use as flavoring or topical agent as needed.

1 commercial form

Dried leaf / essential oil

Leaf is consumed culinary; essential oil for topical use.

Popular in Australian bush food and natural cosmetics.

Safety

Dried leaf and tea are GRAS for food use. Concentrated essential oil can cause skin irritation; never ingest undiluted essential oil. Pure citral can be a skin sensitizer.

Who should be cautious

Test topical preparations on a small patch first. Avoid undiluted essential oil ingestion. Limited safety data in pregnancy at concentrated doses.

Interactions

No significant interactions reported at culinary doses.

Food sources

FoodAmount%DV
Lemon myrtle leaf (culinary)Small amounts used as seasoning—

Frequently asked questions

Can I drink lemon myrtle essential oil?⌄

No. Essential oils are concentrated and not safe to ingest undiluted. Use the dried leaf for tea or cooking instead.

References

  • Lemon Myrtle on Wikidata — Wikidata link
  • Lemon Myrtle on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link
  • Research on Lemon Myrtle (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.