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Plant identification guides:
Bush tucker food forest

Information about medicinal qualities of plants, or about their use as medicines, is for interest only, and is not intended to be used as a guide for the treatment of medical conditions.

 

As with all medicinal applications of Australian bush foods, please do your due diligence and consult with First Nations or other Australian herbal specialists before utilising as a remedy for any condition.

 

Some parts of the plant may not be edible or some may need preparation before they are safe to eat or use in any way. We do our best to describe their traditional & modern uses. It is the reader’s responsibility to ensure they are fit for their intended use.

 

We can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Cinnamon myrtle

Scientific name:

Other Names:

Backhousia myrtifolia

Carrol, neverbreak, iron wood, grey myrtle, ironwood myrtle

Family:

Myrtaceae

Cinnamon myrtle

Basic info:

For more information, please see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backhousia_myrtifolia

Uses and Interesting Information:

A fragrant rainforest-edge tree traditionally used by Indigenous Australians for soothing teas, digestive remedies, and aromatic cleansing. Its warm cinnamon-scented leaves are now prized in bushfood cuisine, herbal wellness and sensory gardens. A strong-timbered and beautifully aromatic species, Cinnamon Myrtle enriches wildlife habitat and signals healthy, moist forest country.



Indigenous Uses


1. Leaves – a traditional aromatic medicine

Indigenous Australians used the cinnamon-scented leaves for:

  • Herbal teas to soothe colds, congestion, sore throats

  • Infusions for digestive issues, bloating, or stomach discomfort

  • Light sedative/calming teas for restlessness or sleeplessness

The warm, gentle aroma made it a favourite camp medicine during cooler months.


2. Cleansing & aromatic uses

Crushed leaves were used to:

  • Freshen the air in shelters

  • Scent hands, face, and hair

  • Create aromatic steam or smoke for insect deterrence

  • Freshen water bowls or wash basins

Its essential oils gave it a reputation as a clean, comforting plant.


3. Smoke medicine

Leaves were sometimes burned lightly to create:

  • Cleansing smoke

  • Insect-repelling smoke

  • Calming aroma during healing or relaxation

Not ceremonial smoke, but practical, medicinal smoke.


4. Timber – extremely strong

The name “ironwood myrtle” comes from its:

  • Dense, hard timber

  • Straight grain

  • Durability

Used traditionally for:

  • Axe or tool handles

  • Spears

  • Digging sticks

  • Carved utensils

  • Durable pegs or stakes



Stories, Culture & Interesting Lore


1. A plant of warmth and comfort

Cinnamon myrtle’s scent is warming and soft.Elders often describe it as a comfort plant, used:

  • During winter

  • When someone felt unwell

  • For children with upset stomachs

  • To “warm the spirit” after long travel


2. A gentle guardian of rainforest edges

This species grows along:

  • Moist gullies

  • Wet sclerophyll forest

  • Rainforest margins

For some groups, it symbolised the edge between open country and the deep forest, a plant that “stands watch” at the border.


3. A plant associated with hospitality

Its sweet, welcoming aroma meant:

  • Leaves were crushed when visitors arrived

  • Tea was shared in communal spaces

  • It signalled warmth and generosity


4. A sign of healthy, moist country

Cinnamon myrtle appears in areas with:

  • Deep soils

  • Reliable water

  • Healthy mid-story vegetation

Its presence was a clue to good foraging and shelter.



Modern Uses


1. Herbal tea – one of Australia’s best native teas

Cinnamon myrtle is widely used today for tea:

  • Warm, sweet cinnamon aroma

  • Comforting and calming

  • A fantastic nighttime herb

  • Rich in antioxidants


Popular in:

  • Wellness teas

  • Sleep blends

  • Digestive teas

  • Chai-style native blends


2. Culinary – a gourmet bushfood spice

Leaves (fresh or dried) are used in:

  • Biscuits and cakes

  • Desserts (mousses, tarts, custards)

  • Ice cream and gelato

  • Slow-cooked meats

  • Native chai mixes

  • Spice rubs

  • Fruit compotes

  • Syrups and cordials

Beloved by chefs for its subtle cinnamon/clove/anise mix.


3. Essential oils & aromatherapy

Essential oil is used for:

  • Natural perfume

  • Candles

  • Bath salts

  • Calming body oils

  • Herbal inhalation blends

The aroma is warm, earthy and balancing.


4. Landscaping

Backhousia myrtifolia is a beautiful small tree:

  • White starry flowers in large clusters

  • Glossy aromatic leaves

  • Graceful branching form

  • Very fragrant when crushed

Ideal for:

  • Sensory gardens

  • Aromatic walks

  • Rainforest plantings

  • Eco-accommodation landscaping


5. Woodcraft

The dense timber is prized for:

  • Carving

  • Tool handles

  • Woodturning

  • Bowls and decorative items



Ecological Importance


Pollinators

Flowers attract:

  • Native bees

  • Butterflies

  • Hoverflies

  • Beetles

Provides nectar in late spring and early summer.


Wildlife food source

Berries and fruits (rare) are eaten by:

  • Birds

  • Possums

  • Flying foxes


Habitat role

Dense foliage offers:

  • Shelter for small birds

  • Refuge for insects

  • Cool understory microclimates

  • Habitat diversity in rainforest edges


Fire ecology

  • Moderately fire-sensitive

  • Recovers from protected stems or seed

  • Often persists in fire-protected gullies

Helps maintain long-term rainforest margin stability.

Recipes:

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