A gorgeous evergreen shrub or small bushy tree growing to 15-20 ft has narrow linear leaves. It is very slow growing and can be kept as a bush for many years. Profuse white flowers are borne from late spring to mid-summer. The aromatic leaves are used for this oil production. The leaves when crushed smell wonderful: mix of lemon scent and fresh forest strawberry.

Antiseptic, antifungal, diaphoretic and expectorant (essential oil from leaves)

Plants For A Future

1,8-cineole, alpha-phellandrene, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpinene, alpha-terpineol, aromadendrene, beta-elemene, beta-phellandrene, beta-pinene, camphene, camphor, caryophyllene, gamma-terpinene, hexanol, humulene, limonene, myrcene, nerol, p-cymene, piperitone, sabinene, terpinen-4-ol, terpinolene (leaves)

The essential oil is useful for treating stings, burns, wounds and skin infections of all kinds. It stimulates the immune system and is effective against a broad range of bacterial and fungal infections. Internally, it is used in the treatment of chronic and some acute infections, notably cystitis, glandular fever and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is used externally in the treatment of thrush, vaginal infections, acne, dandruff, head lice, athlete's foot, verrucae, warts, insect bites, cold sores and nits. It is applied neat to verrucae, warts and nits, but is diluted with a carrier oil such as almond for other uses.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P: 726, CRC Press July 2002.