What You Need To Know: A favorite in the healthy living community, lemon myrtle is actually a fairly recent superfood staple – only coming into vogue in 1853 after being discovered by English botanist James Backhouse in the rainforests of Queensland. The name harkens to the strong lemony smell of its crushed leaves, which indigenous Australians used to use in their cooking and medicinal practices. Although it took our modern-day culture until the 1800s to rediscover this miracle plant, we’re sure glad lemon myrtle found its way to us again. We’re officially hooked!

Why You Should Try It: Lemon myrtle, whether in tea form or used topically, is known for its anti-bacterial properties that help fight against infection. The key ingredient in lemon myrtle, citral, is what’s responsible for lemon myrtle’s amazing benefits: it is anti-fungal, immunity-boosting, ulcer-preventing, cellulite-reducing, non-acidic, and can even relieve headaches and fevers. When used topically (such as in essential oil form), it can improve concentration, promote better sleep and cure warts, and can even be used as an inhalant to help alleviate congestion.

Let’s Get Together: TCM editors dilute a few drops of 100% pure lemon myrtle essential oil in coconut oil (or other neutral carrier oil) and apply sparingly to our temples for a relaxing break in the day. And to quench our thirst? We reach for Pressed Juicery’s new Lemon Myrtle Tea, of course!