Whitsunday Myrtle was established in January 2013 by Grace Evans at Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia, after enjoying many cups of Lemon Myrtle tea and spending much time researching its health benefits. Through this in-depth research and development, market distribution began in January 2014 offering a range of natural handmade products all-encompassing the essential oil of Lemon Myrtle.
The scientific name of the Lemon Myrtle tree is Backhousia citriodora of the Myrtaceae family. It grows all the way along the eastern coastal area of Australia. It prefers well-drained soil and does not like cold temperatures. With the help of a botanist, we decided to delve deeper into the chemical composition of the Lemon Myrtle plant and work out a way of serving this plant, on a platter with a buffet of choices encompassing its antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antiviral, antiseptic, calmative and sedative properties.
Most of our soap products, body oils and creams invariably incorporate the fragrant essential oil ‘Citral’ derived from the Lemon Myrtle tree, particularly its leaves. In the Whitsundays, the leaves are harvested for tea and leaf spice or distilled for extraction of the essential oil ‘Citral’ which is the predominant essential oil produced by this amazing plant. The Lemon Myrtle has the highest source of ‘Citral’ compared with lemongrass. Steam distilled Lemon Myrtle oil is typically 90-98% pure. Fresh leaves alone yield between 1-3% ‘Citral’.
Lemon Myrtle when used topically provides remedial benefits that may assist with healing and general well-being of our bodies. Aboriginal people use the Lemon Myrtle plant for medicine and flavouring. In Australia, during World War II the Lemon Myrtle tree leaves were used as flavouring for lemonade soft drinks. Recently, the Lemon Myrtle plant has been grown under Australian natural agricultural conditions for essential oil production.
At Whitsunday Myrtle we believe in making effective natural products from the finest essential oils incorporating the Lemon Myrtle along with other plants beneficial in creating products for specific purposes. We believe in buying ingredients only from companies that do not conduct or commission tests on animals. Our products are locally handmade by real people in the Whitsundays. We are proud of every single ingredient we use in our products and we list them on every soap, pot, bottle, sign and web page to ensure that the user is well informed.
Join us in discovering the wonders and benefits the Lemon Myrtle tree has to offer, as you refresh, revitalise and reinvent your well-being with our Australian handmade natural products today!
Nature has the answers…
References:
Lassak E.V., McCarthy T. (1983). Australian Medicinal Plants Australia: Methuen p. 98.
Burke B.E., Baillie J.E., Olson R.D. (2004). Essential oil of Australian lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children. Biomed Pharmacother 58: 245-247.
Wilkinson J.M., Hipwell M., Ryan T., Cavanagh H.M.A. (2003). Bioactivity of Backhousia citriodora: Antibacterial and Antifungal activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 51:76-81.
