--- title: "Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil" id: "2750" type: "essential_oil" slug: "lemon-myrtle-essential-oil" published_at: "2026-04-10T00:35:18+00:00" modified_at: "2026-04-10T00:58:41+00:00" url: "https://flowersandherbs.com/essential-oils/lemon-myrtle-essential-oil/" markdown_url: "https://flowersandherbs.com/essential-oils/lemon-myrtle-essential-oil.md" excerpt: "Lemon Myrtle Oil (Backhousia citriodora) is a distinctive aromatic oil valued for its intensely lemony, sweet, and fresh with a clean citral-rich brightness. Traditionally used in aromatherapy for diffuser blends, body oils, and home fragrance, it remains a versatile choice..." --- # Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil Lemon Myrtle Oil (Backhousia citriodora) is an essential oil obtained from the leaves of a plant in the Myrtaceae family native to Queensland and coastal eastern Australia. It is known for its intensely lemony, sweet, and fresh with a clean citral-rich brightness and is traditionally used in aromatherapy, body care, and home fragrance blends. In traditional and modern aromatic practice, lemon myrtle oil is commonly chosen for freshens rooms with an intense lemon aroma that feels clean, adds brightness to home care, and creating a more balanced atmosphere. Depending on the oil, it may be used in diffusers, massage oils, room sprays, bath rituals, or carefully diluted personal care blends. Its characteristic scent profile makes it especially useful in blends where both aroma and function matter, and it is often paired with complementary citrus, floral, woody, or herbal oils to shape a more rounded finished blend. ## Essential Oil Uses ### Common Uses - **Diffuser:** Use to brighten stale rooms and create a vividly fresh atmosphere. - **Room spray:** Add to bathroom, kitchen, or linen sprays for a clean lemon aroma. - **DIY cleaning:** Use in natural surface sprays and floor cleaner blends. - **Shower steam:** Add to a washcloth for a fresh lemon burst in the shower. - **Body oil:** Use only in low dilution because the oil can be strongly sensitizing. #### Targeted Uses - **Air freshness:** Commonly diffused when a bright, freshly cleaned atmosphere is desired. - **Home care:** A favorite in natural cleaners and freshening sprays because of its strong lemon character. - **Seasonal room blends:** Often paired with eucalyptus-style oils in crisp, clarifying formulas. - **Mood lifting:** Its bright aroma is frequently used to create an upbeat, productive feeling indoors. ### Aromatic Profile Lemon myrtle oil is powerfully lemony and sweet with a bright, clean citral character that feels vivid and fresh. - **Scent family:** Citrus-fresh. - **Fragrance notes:** Bright lemon peel, sweet lemon candy, and a clean herbal-citral finish - **Similar to:** Lemongrass and lemon verbena, but sweeter, smoother, and more purely lemon-like ##### Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil Preparation Methods Lemon Myrtle Oil can be prepared in several ways: Topical Application Dilute lemon myrtle oil in 1 oz (30 mL) of carrier oil before applying to the skin. A 1–2% dilution is suitable for many body oils, while more reactive oils may be best kept closer to 0.5–1% for cautious use. **Remedies:***Coming soon body oils and targeted blends with lemon myrtle oil.* Diffuser Add 3–5 drops to a diffuser filled according to the manufacturer’s directions. For a lighter room scent, begin with fewer drops and increase gradually until the aroma feels balanced rather than overpowering. **Remedies:***Coming soon diffuser blends featuring lemon myrtle oil.* Bath Blend 3–5 drops into 1 tbsp (15 mL) carrier oil or 1 cup (240 mL) unscented bath salts before adding to warm bath water. Never add undiluted essential oil directly to the bath. **Remedies:***Coming soon bath and soak recipes with lemon myrtle oil.* Room and Linen Use For room or linen use, combine 10–15 drops with 2 oz (60 mL) alcohol or solubilizer-based spray in a small bottle, then top with water and shake well before each use. **Remedies:***Coming soon room sprays and home fragrance recipes.* ###### Safety Considerations Lemon myrtle oil is highly aromatic and rich in citral, so it should be treated as a strong oil rather than a casual everyday citrus. However, essential oils are concentrated aromatic materials and should always be used thoughtfully, with attention to dilution, individual sensitivity, and the context of use. - Dilute very well before topical use; 0.5–1% is a cautious starting range for body care. - Patch test carefully because citral-rich oils may irritate or sensitize delicate skin. - Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and mucous membranes. - Do not apply to broken, inflamed, or very sensitive skin without professional guidance. - Use caution during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or with children because the aroma can be intense. - Diffuse in moderation around pets and avoid saturating a small room with high amounts. This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Individuals with health concerns, medication use, pregnancy, or other special circumstances should consult a qualified healthcare professional before therapeutic use. **Image Disclaimer:** Images are for reference only and should not be used as the sole method of identification. Always confirm identification with a qualified source. Frequently Asked Questions What is lemon myrtle oil used for? Lemon Myrtle Oil is commonly used in aromatherapy for freshens rooms with an intense lemon aroma that feels clean and uplifting, adds brightness to home care and diffuser blends without the sweetness of orange oils, and shaping a room or body blend with its distinctive aroma. It is most often found in diffusers, massage oils, room sprays, and carefully diluted personal care formulas. What does lemon myrtle oil smell like? Lemon myrtle smells intensely lemony, sweet, and very fresh. Compared with lemon essential oil, it is often stronger, sweeter, and more citral-rich. What part of the plant is used to make lemon myrtle oil? Lemon Myrtle Oil is typically produced from the leaves through steam distillation. This plant part is chosen because it holds the aromatic compounds that give the oil its characteristic scent and traditional aromatic use profile. What does Lemon Myrtle oil smell like? Lemon Myrtle oil smells intensely lemony, bright, and clean, but usually deeper and more powerful than standard lemon peel oil. It often has a crisp, almost sherbet-like freshness supported by a green herbal edge. Because the scent is so concentrated and recognizable, even a small amount can quickly brighten a diffuser blend or household formula. Is Lemon Myrtle stronger than lemon oil? Yes, Lemon Myrtle is generally much stronger and more concentrated in aroma than standard lemon oil. While lemon peel oil is juicy and sparkling, Lemon Myrtle often feels sharper, fuller, and more penetrating. That is why many formulators use it in smaller amounts and treat it more like a powerful accent oil rather than a simple citrus substitute. What should you look for when buying Lemon Myrtle oil? Look for the botanical name Backhousia citriodora and check that the supplier identifies the oil clearly, because Lemon Myrtle is valued for its strongly citral-rich profile. A good oil should smell vivid, fresh, and lemony without seeming stale or chemically flat. Because it is such an intense oil, freshness, storage, and trustworthy sourcing are especially important. ## Essential Oil Overview - **Botanical name:***Backhousia citriodora* - **Plant part used:** Leaves - **Extraction method:** Steam distillation - **Aroma profile:** Intensely lemony, sweet, and fresh with a clean citral-rich brightness - **Aroma note:** Top note - **Key components:** Geranial, Neral, Linalool, Citronellal - **Top benefits:** - Freshens rooms with an intense lemon aroma that feels clean and uplifting - Adds brightness to home care and diffuser blends without the sweetness of orange oils - Works well in kitchen, bathroom, and cleaning formulas for a vivid fresh scent - Pairs beautifully with tea tree, eucalyptus, and soft florals in fresh herbal blends ### Types Available Lemon myrtle leaf oil Citral-rich lemon myrtle oil Steam-distilled Backhousia citriodora oil Australian lemon myrtle oil #### **Blending Suggestions** Lemon myrtle oil blends especially well with florals, woods, fresh herbs, and other bright citrus or citral-rich oils. - **Citrus oils:** [Lemon](/essential-oil/lemon-essential-oil) , Grapefruit, Lime - **Floral oils:** [Lavender](/essential-oil/lavender-essential-oil) , Geranium, Neroli - **Woody oils:** Cedarwood, Frankincense, Pine - **Herbal oils:** Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, [Rosemary](/essential-oil/rosemary-essential-oil) **Fresh House Blend:** - 2 drops Lemon Myrtle - 2 drops Lavender - 1 drop Tea Tree This blend is commonly used in room sprays and diffusers when a fresh, clean, just-tidied atmosphere is the goal.