Highlighted Australian Essential Oils

A significant number of Australian essential oils offer therapeutic properties and delightful aromas. Highlighted below are four such oils: Lemon Myrtle, Australian Sandalwood, Lavender Tea Tree, and Lemon Scented Tea Tree. Each of these essential oils is 100% natural and has been steam distilled from the leaves of their respective botanical plants. These oils are not blends – they are individual and unique oils. Each oil is an excellent antimicrobial with a delightful aroma.

Lemon Myrtle Oil

Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) is an extraordinary essential oil. The lemon aroma is deep, warm, and vibrant and has been dubbed "more lemon than lemon". Moreover, research indicates that Lemon Myrtle is a more effective antimicrobial than Tea Tree Oil¹ ,². Interestingly, parts of the Lemon Myrtle tree (primarily the leaves) are used extensively in Australia to create delicious food items such as flavored pasta, ice cream, cakes, sauces, and salad dressings.

Lemon Myrtle Oil may be used in a variety of ways:

Lemon Myrtle Oil is an excellent ingredient for any product requiring disinfectant properties and where a wonderful aroma is important.

Australian Sandalwood Oil

Australian Sandalwood Oil is produced from a tree native to Western Australia – Santalum spicatum. The oil has an attractive aroma and demonstrates strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties³.

Interest in Australian Sandalwood Oil is growing quickly for several reasons:

• Therapeutic – the healing properties of Australian Sandalwood are becoming better known world wide,
• Renewable⁴ ,⁵ – Australian Sandalwood is tightly controlled by the Western Australian government to ensure it remains a renewable resource. This contrasts to the rapidly depleting supply of Indian Sandalwood.
• Price – the price of Australian Sandalwood is relatively good value.

Australian Sandalwood Oil may be used in the following products:

• Liniment for skin infection – acne, boils, wound care
• Liniment for inflammation – arthritic conditions, insect bites, muscle injury
• Hand soap
• Antiseptic cream
• Disinfectant liquid
• Natural insect deterrent
• Tinea infection
• Sunscreen
• Perfume

Australian Sandalwood Oil is a therapeutic oil with an attractive aroma and should not only be considered as an alternative to Indian Sandalwood, but should be considered as an attractive ingredient based on its own merits.

Tea Tree, Lavender Oil

Lavender Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca ericifolia) works particularly well in the personal care industry given its efficacy against transient skin bacteria⁶. This oil has a high linalool content that provides an attractive floral aroma and relaxing effect.

Current and potential applications for this oil include:

Lavender Tea Tree Oil is an exciting essential oil as it is therapeutic and has a pleasant aroma. There are many possibilities for this oil in the personal care industry. Dr Pénoël lists Lavender Tea Tree Oil (also known as Rosalina) as one of his seven essential oils for home health care⁷. Tea Tree Oil is also on this list.

Tea Tree, Lemon Scented Oil

Lemon Scented Tea Tree Oil (Leptospermum petersonii) is a powerful antimicrobial and antiseptic with a delightful and uplifting lemon aroma. Research indicates that Lemon Scented Tea Tree Oil is even a more powerful antimicrobial than the more commonly known Tea Tree Oil⁸ ,⁹.

Current and potential product applications include:

• Disinfectant
• Tea tree oil odor mask
• Cosmetic preservative
• Atmosphere cleanser
• Natural fragrance
• Insect repellent
• Treatment of oily skin and acne (in hydrosol form)
• Influenza (in gargle form or by oil burner)
• Common cold (in gargle form or by oil burner)
• Incense
• Surgical
• Dental
• Dog mange and skin problems
• Antiseptic

Of particular note, research indicates that Lemon Scented Tea Tree Oil is extremely effective against Staphylococcus aureus (Golden Staph)¹⁰. Many S. aureus strains have become resistant to antibiotics¹¹ however Lemon Scented Tea Tree Oil has proven very effective against the bacteria.

1. Bioactivity of Backhousia citriodora: Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity by J. M. Wilkinson, M. Hipwell, T. Ryan, and H.M.A. Cavanagh, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (October 2002)

2. Australian Medicinal Plants by E.V. Lassak & T. McCarthy, New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd, 2001

3. “Research Notes – Australian Sandalwood” by Valerie Gearon, Aromatherapy Today, Vol 20, December 2001.

4. “Conserving sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) in the rangelands, Western Australia” by Jonathan Brand, Forest Products Commission, July 2002

5. “Establishing Sandalwood Regeneration in the Western Rangelands” by Benjamin Sawyer, Forest Products Commission, Information Sheet, Issue 5

6. The Utilisation of Australian Native Oils for the Control of Transient Bacteria in Skin Care Products by Macdougald R., Priscott P., and Souter F.

7. Natural Home Heath Care Using Essential Oils by Daniel Pénoël, M.D. and Rose-Marie Pénoël, Essential Science Publishing, 1998

8. Australian Medicinal Plants by E.V. Lassak & T. McCarthy, New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd, 2001

9. The Utilisation of Australian Native Oils for the Control of Transient Bacteria in Skin Care Products by Macdougald R., Priscott P., and Souter F.

10. The Antimicrobial Activity of Cloned Tea Tree Oils by J.K. Stockley, C. Chan, and L.R. Williams, Macquarie University

11. The Treatment of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) by Joanna Bunton, Aromatherapy Today, Vol 28 December 2003