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Pengelly Report: Australian Medicinal Plant
Backhousia citriodora (Lemon Myrtle)
Andrew Pengelly DBMM ND MHNAA
Family — Myrtaceae
Common Names — Lemon Myrtle, Lemon-scented
Myrtle, Sweet Verbena Tree, Lemon Iron Wood
Origin — Rainforests of south east Queensland,
Australia. Cultivated elsewhere as an ornamental.
Description — Backhousia is a genus of
7 species of small to medium sized trees found in the moist
forests of Queensland and New South Wales coast, characterised
by opposite, shiny and strongly aromatic leaves. They produce
dry indehiscent fruit which splits into two chambers upon
ripening.
B. citriodora- a medium sized tree with lanceolate, strong
lemon-scented leaves. In early summer the tree is covered
with clusters of tiny white four petalled flowers. The tree
prefers a moist climate and is frost sensitive. Propagation
is by cuttings taken in spring.
Constituents — The leaves contain between
0.33 - 0.86 % essential oils consisting almost entirely of
citral.
Properties of Essential Oils — Citral
is an aliphatic aldehyde in the monoterpenoid class. In plants
such as lemon grass (Cymbopogon) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
citral occurs as two isomeric aldehydes, neral and geraniol.
Preparation
Standard infusion - 3 cups daily, prepared as an herbal tea.
Steep for 5 minutes.
Other species — B. myrtifolia …
B. augutifolia … B. anisata …
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