A little topping with lemon is all you need to make your food zesty, tangy, and flavourful. While lemon is a common ingredient in your pantry, have you ever heard about lemon myrtle? It is basically a flowering plant that not only gives you a wealth of taste in your dishes but also offer tons of health benefits.
In this article, we will learn everything you need to know about this wonder plant, some Authentic Lemon Myrtle Recipes, and the reasons you need to introduce it in your life.
What is lemon myrtle?
Found mainly in Australia, lemon myrtle is a lemon scented sweet-smelling plant that is heavily aromatic and offers a characteristic taste to your dishes. It also contains high concentration of valuable minerals such as zinc, calcium, and magnesium, along with vitamins A and E.
It is normally added to recipes to enhance flavour and aroma. You can use lemon myrtle to make dips, sauces, curries, chicken, fish, prawns, etc. It is also used in the making of breads, cakes, desserts etc.
Here are some of the health benefits of lemon myrtle:
Helps treat sinus infection
Suffering from sinusitis? Don’t worry because lemon myrtle oil with its anti-inflammatory properties will be able to open up your nasal passage and reduce the inflammation.
An effective treatment of bronchitis
The essential oil made of lemon myrtle is found to be effective in treating bronchitis. Since the bronchitis is caused due to inflammation in the bronchial passage, the use of this oil can alleviate the symptoms and also fight the infection.
Treats gastrointestinal disorders
It is also found to be helpful in treating gastrointestinal disorders as well as indigestion. Healthy properties in lemon myrtle can help stimulate the digestive process and fix problems like bloating, gas, heartburn etc. If you are struggling with discomfort caused due to indigestion, then you must have lemon myrtle tea or add it to your food as a spice.
Kills sore throat bacteria
A sore throat is painful as well as an uncomfortable feeling. The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of lemon myrtle can fix sore throat and also kill bacteria. Mix lemon myrtle essential oil with honey for instant relief.
Treats anxiety and depression
The calming effect of lemon myrtle acts as a natural stress reliever. Its aromatic fragrance can induce better sleep and fills you with positive feelings. You can massage your foot with this oil or use it in your aromatic lamps to let its scent heal your troubled mind. It is also a great way to uplift the mood.
Improves oral health
Not many people know that but lemon myrtle is a great fix for treating oral health issues like tooth problems, ulcers, irritation etc. This herb acts as a natural cleanser by providing protection from various infections causing bacteria and virus. You can also add lemon myrtle powder to your tooth paste or simply sprinkle it in your tea.
Fortifies your immune system
Your body is naturally capable of fighting most ailments, provided you have a strong immune system. When you regularly consume lemon myrtle, you able to strengthen your immunity and provide protection against most common health issues. The best way to have lemon myrtle on a daily basis is in the form of tea.
It is a powerful antioxidant
The antioxidant properties found in lemon myrtle can eliminate free radicals in your system that are responsible for life-threatening diseases such as aging, cancer, tumours, heart diseases etc.
Natural treatment for headaches and migraine
If you are someone struggling with recurrent migraines and headaches, then you can totally rely on lemon myrtle to provide you with relief. The relaxing fragrance of this natural herb along with its many healthy properties offer natural relief in case of a headache. You can add lemon myrtle essential oil to a pot of boiling water and inhale its steam for a quick relief. You can also massage your temples with the essential oil.
Induces better sleep
Many people prefer to add lemon myrtle to their diets because the herb promotes digestion and relaxation of the mind. As a result, you are able to sleep fitfully every night. You can also add its essential oil to your bathing water or drink lemon myrtle tea before bed each night to exploit its many health benefits.
Treats common cold and influenza
The anti-viral properties of lemon myrtle helps in treating influenza as well as the common cold.
There are many ways to consume lemon myrtle on a daily basis to introduce these health benefits in your life. However, the most delicious way would be to cook some authentic recipes enriched by this natural herb that will not only make your food healthy but also flavourful and aromatic.