Back in 2017 I ran an event called “Outrageously Raw”, where I showed attendees how to make a whole range of amazing sweet and savoury dishes using healthy natural ingredients and essential oils. 

If you’ve never explored the use of essential oils in food, you are in for a treat! Many of our food plants contain essential oils, and in fact the actual flavour we come to love in our food dishes is the flavour of that plant’s essential oil. 

Think of the essential oil as the plant’s flavour without the roughage. So ginger oil is the wonderful ginger flavour we all love, without the plant cellulose that gives the root its bulk. 

Today, I want to share with you two scrumptious recipes and some fascinating facts about one of my absolute favourite single essential oils, which is Lemon Myrtle oil. 

BUT – each country in the world is governed by its own regulations. Where in Australia and New Zealand our Young Living Lemon Myrtle oil is one of our culinary oils so it can be promoted for use in food and beverages, it’s not considered a culinary oil in other regions of the world. So the food and drink recipe included in this bulletin is for our AU/NZ market only. Enjoy!!!

A 2.5 minute Coriander, Chilli & Lemon Myrtle Pesto! 

I love pesto, and a few years ago I had the inspiration to add a drop of Young Living’s Lemon Myrtle oil to the mix. 

“This is soooooo delicious! The Lemon Myrtle oil comes as a wonderful surprise right at the end….it’s subtle, and will delight your taste buds!” 

Try a dollop on avocado and toast, and on top of salads, grilled vegetables, and pasta. Once I have all the ingredients ready, this takes me 2.5 minutes to make in a good quality blender like a Thermomix®. Given my busy lifestyle, this is perfect. 

Directions:

Following the ingredients list below, blend the pine nuts, macadamia nuts, garlic and chili at high speed in your blender or food processor. Add remaining ingredients and blend until desired consistency is reached. If using a Thermomix, blend at speed 7 for 30 seconds for a smooth texture. Season with additional salt, pepper and oil if desired. Serve immediately, or cover and store in a glass jar in fridge. 

Ingredients:

• 45g pine nuts 
• 5 whole raw macadamia nuts (or 10 halves) 
• 1 small clove of garlic 
• 1 large red chilli (not too hot), with seeds removed 
• 80g fresh coriander 
• 30g fresh dill 
• 1/8th teaspoon of salt 
• 100ml extra virgin olive oil (or use a combination of V6 oil with olive oil)
• 1 drop Young Living Lemon Myrtle oil

Lemon Myrtle and Apple Juice Spritzer

OK, I’m giving away all my secrets here!!!! I love to WOW my guests with this refreshing and delicious non-alcoholic drink. It’s sooooo easy to make. Into each glass, add:

• 150ml of organic apple juice (a good quality brand, so it really tastes like apples)
• 150ml or sparkling mineral water
• 1 drop of Lemon Myrtle oil

You can garnish with some slivers of apple, sprigs of mint, and even salt around the rim of the glass. And if you want to add a splash of colour, pop some pomegranates into the drink.

Whilst this makes the most exotic mocktail which will have people guessing at that delicious taste (which comes from the Lemon Myrtle oil), it’s so refreshing that you will enjoy it for any occasion!

All about Lemon Myrtle Oil 

Lemon Myrtle oil comes from the leaves and aerial parts of the Australian Native tree, Backhousia citriodora (pictured below), which grows in Central and South East Queensland’s subtropical rainforest areas.

This tree is a traditional “bush food” for the Indigenous Australians. The oil tastes a lot like lemon – in fact, enthusiasts describe it as “more lemon than lemon”, so it’s not surprising that it can be used in milk-based foods in place of lemon juice, because it won’t curdle the way that lemon will. Its beautiful aroma makes the essential oil a valued oil in perfumery, as well as in cleaning products such as soaps, shampoos and lotions. 

Lemon Myrtle oil contains the highest natural source of Citral, at 90 to 98%, compared to only 3 to 10% Citral in Lemon oil.

This makes it an excellent oil to use in your diffuser as an air purifier. Do your own research into the benefits of Citral – it’s fascinating!!! 

Scientists have even discovered that Citral reduces energy dissipation (ie. helps retain energy), and can be used to help maintain a healthy weight, even when you are eating a diet that promotes weight gain¹. Interesting!

1. Modak, T, et al. “Effects of citral, a naturally occurring antiadipogenic molecule, on an energy-intense diet model of obesity.” Indian Journal of Pharmacology. 2011 May-Jun; 43(3):300-305.

Other uses of Lemon Myrtle Oil 

Being a culinary oil in Young Living’s Australian and New Zealand markets, it can be used in vinaigrettes, salad dressings, sorbets, cheeses, ice cream, and as flavouring in dishes that would normally use lemon oil.

In fact, during the Second World War it was used as a flavouring in soft drinks! It uplifts moods and emotions, so it brightens any gloomy day. I love how Mark Webb describes it in his book, Bush Sense. He writes:

“The best description I can give for my first impression of Lemon Myrtle is WOW…what a bright, happy essential oil. The fresh lemon scent really clears out the cobwebs of the mind , although a little goes a long way.”

Personally, I love putting a drop on my chest as a perfume, and I rub tired muscles with a mixture of Lemon Myrtle oil and Idaho Balsam Fir oil (that tip comes from Tom Woloshyn….thanks Tom!).

Last weekend at our Paws Claws Hooves 2024 Integrated Animal Conference, I was fascinated to listen to Cherie Ross speaking about Lemon Myrtle oil. She taught me something I never knew, which is that Lemon Myrtle oil uses the lymphatic system to move through the body, in addition to the blood. It’s the only essential oil that does that. 

Caution: Because of its high citral content, Lemon Myrtle oil can be mildly irritating to sensitive skin, so apply V6 or any other good vegetable oil over the top if you experience any irritation.

Make your own All-Purpose Household Spray 

OK, you remember I said that Lemon Myrtle oil is very purifying? Try this wonderful mix for cleaning your benches….I’m sure you will love it as much as I do!

In a 500ml glass or PET plastic spray bottle, add 1 tablespoon of Thieves Household Cleaner. Then add your favourite essential oils. My favourite mix is:

• 6 drops Lemon Myrtle oil
• 6 drops Lavender oil, and 
• 6 drops Orange oil. 

Then just top up with water.

This all-purpose cleaning spray smells amazing and can be used on all household surfaces – benchtops, floors, toilets, shower screens, windows. 

It’s safe for your animals, and safe for you. But not only is it safe, it’s also very effective. 

In a 2003 research study, scientists concluded that Lemon Myrtle oil’s significant antimicrobial activity (which is often greater than Tea Tree oil) lends it to being a great surface disinfectant or antiseptic, and for inclusion in foods as a natural antimicrobial agent². 

2. Wlkinson, J, et al. “Bioactivity of Backhousia citriodora: antibacterial and antifungal activity.” Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 2003 Jan 1;51 (1):76-81. doi: 10.1021/jf0258003

Ready to give your taste buds a treat? Here’s how to order….

f you already have your own wholesale account with Young Living, you can order now through the shopping cart on your virtual office, or via phone or live chat with your local Young Living office.

If it’s been more than 12 months since you’ve ordered, or if you’ve never set up an account, please reach out to the person who introduced you to Young Living. 

You will need their member number when you place your first order.

If you have lost touch with them, or need any other assistance, we are here to help. Simply click the button below and we’ll be in touch to assist you and help answer your questions.