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MYRTACEAE

(Myrtle family)

3000 species in 100 genera are found in warm regions, chiefly in Australia and tropical America. Many have edible fruits.

Backhousia citriodora yields an essential oil.

[Summary yet to be added]

Backhousia myrtifolia

(syn. Backhousia australis)

Australian Lancewood, Grey Myrtle

Since splinters of Australian lancewood, Acacia shirleyi, were said to cause painful wounds (Maiden 1919) other lancewoods viz. B. myrtifolia, Curtisia dentata, and Oxandra lanceolata have been included in lists of toxic woods without any published evidence (Woods and Calnan 1976).

Eucalyptus L'Hér.

500 species are found in Australia and two or three species in Indo Malaysia. The barks of the trees of this family vary considerably but, being easily recognized, are an aid in classification and account for some of the common names. The most common kind is smooth bark (gum trees) which exfoliates in patches. Other kinds have scaly bark (blood woods, etc.), thick and fibrous bark (stringy barks), hard furrowed bark, often black with age (iron barks). Eucalyptus oils vary in chemical composition.

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.

(syns Eucalyptus acuminata Hook., Eucalyptus longirostris F. Muell. ex Miq., Eucalyptus rostrata Cav., Eucalyptus rostrata Schltdl.)

Blue Gum, Murray Red Gum, River Red Gum, Yarrow

Eucalyptus divaricata

Eucalyptus globulus

Blue Gum

Eucalyptus hemiphloia

White Gum, Grey Gum

Eucalyptus leucoxylon

Blue Gum

Eucalyptus macrorrhyncha

Red Stringy Bark

Eucalyptus maculata

Spotted Gum

Eucalyptus marginata

Jarrah

Eucalyptus microcorys

Eucalyptus pilularis

The bark or wood of these species have been reported to produce dermatitis (Maiden 1909, Cleland 1914b - referring to a case described by Maiden of dermatitis attributed to Eucalyptus hemiphloia, Cleland 1925, Hanslian and Kadlec 1966). Sensitive persons are said to develop urticaria from handling the foliage (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962). Behl et al. (1966) observed that the irritant and sensitising properties are slight but that eucalyptus oil is rubefacient and that ingestion of the oil can produce skin eruptions in some individuals. Irritant effects of the oils have been reported (Galewsky 1904, 1905, Macpherson 1923). The composition of the oils (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962) suggests possible allergenicity but evidence for such an effect is scanty (Löwenfeld 1932, Greenberg and Lester 1954).

The oil is poisonous when ingested (MacPherson 1925, Cleland 1925).

Eucalyptus diversicolor

Karri

The wood or possibly arsenic used to treat the wood caused skin irritation (Cleland 1925).

Eucalyptus hemiphloia

The bark irritates the skin (Cleland 1925).

Eucalyptus leucoxylon

The sawdust causes spasmodic rhinorrhea (Cleland 1925).

Eucalyptus macrorrhyncha

The bark irritates the skin (Cleland 1925).

Eucalyptus maculata

Spotted Gum

In some parts of Queensland, timber getters and sawyers had "spotted-gum rash" but in other areas of the country the disorder did not seem to occur (Maiden 1909).

Eucalyptus saligna Sm.

Sydney Blue Gum

Three carpenters developed erythema multiforme after working with the wood stated to be of this genus probably of this species, with Dalbergia nigra, and with Macherium scleroxylon respectively (Holst et al. 1976).

Melaleuca leucadendra L.

(syns Cajuputi leucadendron A. Lyons, Leptospermum leucodendron J.R. Forst. & G. Forst., Meladendron leucocladum St.-Lag., Myrtus leucadendra L.)

Cajeput, Paperbark Tree, River Tea Tree, Swamp Tea Tree, White Tea Tree, White Wood

The common name paperbark tree refers to the shedding of the bark which remains partially attached to the tree. The bark is used as a rubefacient in India (Behl et al. 1966).

Contact with the roots, branches and seedpods of Melaleuca leucadendron [sic] can cause dermatitis; volatile emanations from the tree, when in bloom, can also produce dermatitis without direct contact (Morton 1971).

Oil of Cajeput, a volatile oil obtained from this species, contains a phenolic compound which chelates copper from the distillation vessels and changes from a yellow to a green colour (Lowry 1973). Artificial colouring may be added to produce a desired green colour (Nasution et al. 1973). Eucalyptol (cineol) is a major constituent of the oil (Budavari 1996).

The oil has rubefacient properties and is included in a variety of proprietary ointments and lotions used for rubbing into painful muscles, joints, sprains and bruises. Stuart (1979) also asserts that it is used to treat scabies. However, it can produce dermatitis and folliculitis when used for massage (Simons 1953, Greenberg and Lester 1954). A patient who had contact dermatitis from application of the oil was sensitive to eucalyptol (Sezary and Horowitz 1935).

Melaleuca linariifolia Sm.

(syn. Myrtoleucodendron linariifolium Kuntze)

Flax Leaf Paperbark, Narrow-Leaved Tea Tree, Tea Tree, Snow in Summer

Maiden (1916) described a case of a 5-year old boy who climbed this tree and when he came down complained of stinging and itching. Other cases were known to those in the locality, who called the condition "tea-tree itch".

Melaleuca nodosa Sm.

(syns Melaleuca juniperina Sieber ex Rchb., Metrosideros nodosa Sol. ex Gaertn., Myrtoleucodendron nodosum Kuntze)

Ball Honeymyrtle, Golden Honey Myrtle, Prickly-Leaved Paperbark

Handling the leaves, twigs and bark was said to produce irritation (Cleland 1925).

Melaleuca styphelioides Sm.

(syn. Myrtoleucodendron styphelioides Kuntze)

Prickly Paperbark, Prickly-Leaved Tea Tree

Maiden (1916) refers to a report of irritation by this species.

Melaleuca viridiflora Sol. ex Gaertn.

(syns Cajuputi viridiflora A. Lyons, Melaleuca cunninghamii Schauer, Myrtoleucodendron viridiflorum Kuntze)

Broad-Leaved Paperbark, Broad-Leaved Tea Tree, Coarse-Leaved Paperbark, Paperbark, Swamp Paperbark

Oil of Niaouli is derived from this species (Budavari 1996); a major constituent is eucalyptol (cineol).

Myrtus communis L.

(syns Myrtus oerstedeana O. Berg, Myrtus sparsifolia O. Berg)

Common Myrtle, Greek Myrtle, Indian Buchu, Swedish Myrtle

This West Asian tree which figures in the Old Testament has long been naturalized in Europe.

The leaves of the plant yield Oil of Myrtle (Budavari 1996).

Biberstein (1927) observed a positive patch test reaction to myrtle in a 30 year old female who also reacted to Sedum spectabile Boreau (fam. Crassulaceae) and to unidentified species of Cyclamen L. (fam. Primulaceae) and Tradescantia L. (fam. Commelinaceae). None of 7 control subjects reacted. Genner and Bonnevie (1938) also refer to sensitivity to myrtle. Care should be taken when interpreting reports in which the botanical identity of myrtle has not been established because a number of other plants are known as myrtles.

Pimenta dioica Merr.

(syns Eugenia micrantha Bertol., Eugenia pimenta DC., Myrtus dioica L., Myrtus pimenta L., Myrtus piperita Sessé & Moc., Pimenta officinalis Lindl.)

Allspice, Jamaica Pepper, Pimento

The unripe fruits of this species form allspice. Allspice is irritant to the skin (White 1887); it was used like Capsicum in rubefacient plasters. Oil of Pimenta has irritant properties. It comprises principally phenols such as eugenol (Budavari 1996). 19 of 408 patients who had hand eczema (Agrup 1969) and a salad maker (Hjorth and Weisman 1972) showed positive patch test reactions to allspice.

Pimenta racemosa J.W. Moore

(syns Amomis acris O. Berg, Caryophyllus racemosus Mill., Myrcia acris DC., Myrtus acris Sw., Pimenta acris Kostel.)

Bayberry, Bay Rum Tree, West Indian Bay Tree, Wild Clove, Wild Cinnamon, Bois d'Inde, Bayrumbaum

Bay rum derived from the leaves and fruits of this species and from other ingredients used in hairdressing caused dermatitis of the face and scalp (White 1887).

Oil of Bay, derived from this species, has been reported to cause dermatitis in hypersensitive individuals (Greenberg and Lester 1954). The oil contains principally eugenol together with methyleugenol, myrcene, chavicol, methylchavicol, citral and l-phellandrene (Budavari 1996). Contact sensitivity to eugenol and phellandrene was reported by Woeber & Krombach (1969). Photodermatitis from bay rum is not substantiated.

Psidium guajava L.

(syns Myrtus guajava Kuntze, Psidium guava Griseb., Psidium pomiferum L., Psidium pyriferum L.)

Apple Guava, Guava, Jambu Batu, Jambu Biji, Yellow Guava

The fruits are used to make guava jelly, a type of jam. The bark and roots are astringent from the tannin which they contain (Irvine 1961).

Psiloxylon mauritianum Baillon

(syn. Fropiera mauritiana Bouton ex Hook. f.)

Scratchwood, Bois à Gratter

Dust from the crumbling bark causes, itching and gives the wood its name (Stone 1921).

The genus Psiloxylon Thouars ex Tul. is monotypic; P. mauritianum is found in Mauritius and Réunion (Mabberley 1987). The genus has previously (Willis 1973) been classified in its own family, the Psiloxylaceae.

Rhodomyrtus macrocarpa Benth.

Australian Horror Tree, Cooktown Loquat, Finger Cherry, Native Loquat

Ingestion of the fruits can cause blindness (Flecker 1944, Walsh 1957).

Syncarpia glomulifera Nied.

(syns Metrosideros glomulifera Sm., Nania glomulifera Kuntze, Syncarpia laurifolia Ten., Tristania albens DC.)

Red Luster, Turpentine Tree

The wood can cause dermatitis (Mair 1968).

Syzygium aromaticum Merr. & Perry

(syns Caryophyllus aromaticus L., Eugenia aromatica Baillon, Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb., Eugenia caryophyllus Bullock & S. Harrison)

Clove

The dried flower buds of this plant form the spice known as cloves (Schmid 1972). Oleum Caryophylli (oil of cloves), used in perfumery, can produce irritation (Greenberg and Lester 1954). Contact dermatitis, cheilitis and stomatitis have been reported from the oil (Sternberg 1937, Zakon et al. 1947, Silvers 1939, Gaul 1963).

Oil of Cloves contains principally eugenol together with acetyleugenol, caryophyllene and vanillin (Budavari 1996). Eugenol has sensitising properties (Greenberg & Lester 1954, Hjorth 1961, Koch et al. 1971, Woeber and Krombach 1969). Reported allergenicity of eugenol was reviewed by Opdyke (1975).

The oil produced a positive patch test reaction at concentration 1% in petrolatum, negative in 8 controls (Gaul 1963). 14 of 1147 eczema patients showed positive patch test reactions to the oil 1% in petrolatum; some were sensitive to other essential oils (Agrup 1969). One of 380 eczema patients showed a positive patch test reaction to the oil (Meneghini et al. 1971).

Oil of Cloves and eugenol can produce dermatitis in dentists (Schwartz et al. 1957). Eugenol has sensitising properties (Greenberg and Lester 1954, Hjorth 1961).

Syzygium australe B. Hyland

(syns Eugenia australis J.C. Wendl. ex Link, Eugenia myrtifolia Salisb., Eugenia myrtifolia Sims, Eugenia oleaeoides H. Perrier, Jambosa myrtifolia Heynh.)

Brush Cherry, Creek Satinash, Magenta Lilly Pilly, Scrub Cherry, Watergum

Contact sensitivity to Eugenia myrtifolia and to Medicago was reported by Anderson (1944).

References

• Agrup, G. (1969) Hand eczema and other hand dermatoses in South Sweden. Acta Derm.-Vener. 49(Suppl. 61): 1-91.
• Anderson, C.R. (1944) Contact dermatitis from alfalfa and bur clover. Archs Derm. Syph. 5: 201.
• Behl, P.N., Captain, R.M., Bedi, B.M.S. and Gupta, S. (1966) Skin-Irritant and Sensitizing Plants found in India, New Delhi. P.N. Behl, Irwin Hospital.
• Biberstein H (1927) Überempfindlichkeit gegen Pflanzen (Sedum, Tradeskantia, Campanula, Meerzwiebel, Myrthe, Alpenveilchen, Buntnessel). Zentralblatt für Haut- und Geschlechtskrankheiten 22(1/2): 19
• Budavari S (Ed.) (1996) The Merck Index. An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. 12th edn. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc.
• Cleland JB (1914b) Plants, including fungi, poisonous or otherwise injurious to man in Australia. Australasian Medical Gazette 35(26): 569-572
• Cleland, J.B. (1925) Plants including fungi, poisonous or otherwise injurious to man in Australia. (Series II) Med. J. Australia 2: 443.
• Flecker, H. (1944) Sudden blindness after eating "finger cherries"; (Rhodomyrtus macrocarpa). Med. J. Australia 2: 183.
• Galewsky (1904) Uber Eukalyptus-Dermatitis. Derm. Ztschr. 11: 752.
• Galewsky (1905) Uber Eukalyplusdermatitiden. Derm. Ztschr. 12: 36.
• Gaul, L.E. (1963) Dermatitis of the hands from oil of cloves. Skin 2: 314.
• Genner, V. and Bonnevie, P. (1938) Eczematous eruptions produced by leaves of trees and bushes. Archs Derm. Syph. 37: 583.
• Greenberg, L.A. and Lester, D. (1954) Handbook of Cosmetic Materials. New York, Interscience.
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• Hjorth, N. (1961) Eczematous Allergy to Balsams, Allied Perfumes and Flavouring Agents. Copenhagen. Munksgaard.
• Hjorth, N. and Weisman, K. (1972) Occupational dermatitis in chefs and sandwich makers. Contact Dermatitis Newsletter (11): 301.
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• Maiden JH (1909) On some plants which cause inflammation or irritation of the skin. Part II. Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales 20(12; Dec 2): 1073-1082
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• Watt JM and Breyer-Brandwijk MG (1962) The Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Southern and Eastern Africa. Being an account of their medicinal and other uses, chemical composition, pharmacological effects and toxicology in man and animal, 2nd edn. Edinburgh: E & S Livingstone Ltd.
• White, J.C. (1887) Dermatitis Venenata: An Account of the Action of External irritants upon the Skin. Boston. Cupples and Hurd.
• Willis JC (1973) A Dictionary of the Flowering Plants and Ferns, 8th edn (revised by Airy Shaw HK). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Woeber, K. and Krombach, M. (1969) Zur Frage der Sensibilisierung durch atherische Ole (Vorlaufige Mitteilung). Berufsdermatosen 17: 320.
• Woods B and Calnan CD (1976) Toxic woods. British Journal of Dermatology 95(Suppl. 13): 1-97.
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