# Lemon Myrtle essential oil

> An intensely lemon-scented Australian oil popular for diffusing and DIY cleaning recipes, stronger than true lemon oil.

Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/lemon-myrtle

Type: Single oil

## At a glance

- **Botanical name:** Backhousia citriodora
- **Plant part:** Leaves
- **Extraction:** Steam-distilled
- **Aroma:** Intense, sharp lemon
- **Origin:** Queensland, Australia
- **Blends with:** Eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender

## Composition (GC-MS research aggregate)

Based on 4 GC-MS samples from 3 peer-reviewed papers (2021–2024); Limited evidence base. 9 compounds reported in total. Typical share of the oil (median, with interquartile range):

| Compound | Class | Median % | IQR % | Max % | Papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| geranial | Oxygenated monoterpene | 47.27 | 45.64–48.91 | 50.55 | 2 |
| neral | Oxygenated monoterpene | 38.34 | 37.62–39.05 | 39.77 | 2 |
| 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one | Aliphatic / small aromatic | 1.04 | 0.75–1.33 | 1.62 | 2 |
| linalool | Oxygenated monoterpene | 0.55 | 0.49–0.62 | 0.68 | 2 |
| myrcene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 0.36 | 0.32–0.39 | 0.42 | 2 |

Chemotypes seen in the samples: geranial (75% of samples), geranial (10) (25% of samples).

## Key constituents

- **Citral** (90-98%) — The neral + geranial pair responsible for one of the most intensely lemon aromas of any essential oil

## How to use it

- **In the diffuser:** 3–5 drops for a sharp, clean lemon scent — a favorite for air-freshening blends.
- **On skin:** Dilute to 1% or less in a carrier oil and patch-test — a stronger sensitizer than most citrus.
- **Blend small:** Use in small proportions alongside gentler oils like lavender rather than as the main note.

## Safety

- Because of its very high citral content, lemon myrtle can irritate skin — keep topical dilution to 1% or less and always patch-test first.
- Maximum dermal use: Very low (~0.7%) — exceptionally high citral, a strong sensitiser.
- Among the highest-citral oils in existence, so it's a strong skin sensitiser and irritant — dilute very low and patch-test.
- Its intensity means a very small amount is plenty; overuse can irritate the airways too.
- Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children.

## What the research says

- Lemon myrtle oil and its citral have been studied for antimicrobial activity in the laboratory. A toxicity study also established the need to keep dilution low — both are chemistry/safety findings, not health claims. — Food and Chemical Toxicology study (2002) (https://doi.org/10.1016/s0278-6915(01)00103-x)

## Evidence

- Lemon myrtle is one of the most citral-rich essential oils known, typically over 90% citral — the source of its intense true-lemon aroma and its strong skin caution. — Foods review (2021) (https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10071596)

## Frequently asked questions

### Is lemon myrtle stronger than lemongrass?

Yes — lemon myrtle is even higher in citral than lemongrass (often 90%+), giving it a purer, more intense lemon aroma. That also makes it more sensitising, so it needs even lower dilution.

### Why must lemon myrtle be so heavily diluted?

Its very high citral content is a strong skin sensitiser. A toxicity study confirmed the need to keep concentrations low — around 0.7% or less on skin, with a patch test first.

### Is lemon myrtle phototoxic?

No — despite the citrusy name it isn't a citrus oil and isn't phototoxic. The main precaution is its very high citral content, which calls for low dilution.

## Sources (GC-MS studies)

- Rahman MM, Wills RBH, Bowyer MC, Vuong VQ, Golding JB, Kirkman T, Pristijono P. Efficacy of Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil as a Bio-Fungicide in Inhibiting Citrus Green Mould. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10650515
- Nagata T, Satou T, Hayashi S, Satyal P, Watanabe M, Riggs B, Saida Y. Citral in lemon myrtle, lemongrass, litsea, and melissa essential oils suppress the growth and invasion of breast cancer cells. _BMC complementary medicine and therapies_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11149199
- Southwell I. Backhousia citriodora F. Muell. (Lemon Myrtle), an Unrivalled Source of Citral. _Foods (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2021. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8305781

_Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._