Lemon tea tree oil isn’t a combination of tea tree and lemon essences, as some might think. In fact, it’s a very special essential oil in its own right, with lots of wonderful properties. Read on to discover more.
Check the essential oils list with the usage description.
What is a lemon tea tree?
The Lemon tea tree, also known as Leptospermum petersonii, is a genus of woody plants in the Myrtaceae family. They are evergreen shrubs or small trees 1-8 m tall, rarely up to 15-20 m. All parts of the plant contain essential oils. Superposed, arranged spirally on branches, leaves are simple, small or medium-sized, with a serrated edge. Flowers are solitary or aggregated in a cymose inflorescence, radially symmetrical, pentamerous, bipartite, or male. The five petals are white, pink, or red.
Lemon tea trees are widespread in Australia and are particularly diverse in the south of the continent. The first Australian settlers substituted tea with leaves of the lemon tea tree. It’s is also used to produce essential oils. These aromatic essences have an anti-inflammatory effect, make the skin firmer and help in the fight against herpes and fungal diseases.
Main constituents
- geranial (citral)
- neral (citral)
- citronellal
- citronellol
- trans-iso-citral
- Linalool
- Isopulegol
- myrcene
- limonene
- trans-ß-ocimene
Main characteristics
Method of extraction: steam distillation.
Parts used: leaves and branches.
Aroma: beautiful, fresh, citrus-lemon aroma.
Appearance: pale yellow or colorless liquid.
Blends well with: essential oils of citrus, woody, floral, camphor and mint families. Such as bergamot, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, ginger, lavender, lemon, orange, peppermint, raspberry, tangerine, cajaput, cypress, geranium, juniper, lemon, pine, rosemary, and thyme.
Lemon tea tree essential oil benefits and uses
This Australian oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. Lemon tea tree oil is uplifting and optimistic. Its light and subtle aroma is good for refreshing the atmosphere in the room and also repels flies and other insects.
Healing properties
This oil has antiseptic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antihistamine, antipyretic, sedative, repellent properties.
Digestive System: stimulates digestion, can be applied in case of enterocolitis, dyspepsia, and other digestive system disorders (as a part of massage oil). Helps with dizziness.
Immune system: effective against colds, flu, herpes.
Respiratory system: used to treat bronchitis and clear the airways.
Cosmetic properties
- Recommended for oily skin, skin prone to inflammation and irritation, including adolescent skin.
- Used for the treatment of acne.
- Excellent for oily, porous skin.
- Reduces and brightens skin pores, evens out the skin.
- Helps with acne, inflammation and other skin lesions caused by infections.
- Used for cleansing skin from blackheads.
- Has a lifting effect.
- Makes the skin smoother and evens out its tone.
- Stimulates the lymphatic system, promotes purification of the skin, removes toxins.
- Helps retain the skin’s natural moisture content.
- Increases the skin elasticity and firmness.
- Excellent for oily hair care. Reduces sebum production, decreases greasiness and oiliness of hair.
- Helps prevent and eliminate dandruff.
- Excellent freshener for sweaty feet.
- Helps against fungal nail infections.
- Very effective as a remedy against of fungal skin infections, parasitic dermatitis, scabies.
- Used in the production of homemade soaps with disinfectant, drying effect.
- Due to its bright lemon aroma, the oil is ideal for use in mixtures for diffusers to scent the air in rooms and cars, as well as for use in household detergents.
- Used as a top note in perfume compositions.
Psycho-emotional effects
This oil is recommended for relieving stress, depression, irritability, anxiety and to relieve nervous tension. In small quantities, it stimulates; in higher dosages, it has sedative and calming effects.
Other properties
Natural repellent. Repels insects.
Recommended for household use to eliminate unpleasant odors.
Side-effects and precautions
Due to its high citral content, lemon tea tree essential oil may cause skin irritation, so it’s recommended to mix it in equal parts with citrus oils (containing d-limonene and α-pinene monoterpenes) to suppress the irritating effects of citral.
Don’t use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Don’t use on or around cats. Don’t ingest or apply to skin undiluted.
