Paperbark (Flax leaf paperbark)

Paperbark (Flax leaf paperbark)/Snow in Summer (Melaleuca linariifolia)

Aboriginal peoples of many diverse groups used the soft, paper-like bark of many Melaleucas as a cloth to wrap babies and sometimes also for blankets, bandages and roofing. Its robust timbers are excellent for making cultural items such as spears, clubs and digging sticks. Several Melaleuca species provide a medicine for diverse groups of Aboriginal peoples, particularly for coughs and colds, with leaves being crushed in the hands and sniffed or rubbed directly on the nose. Aboriginal peoples also pour Melaleuca infusions over the body to relieve general aches and pains. Some Aboriginal groups are also known to have chewed the leaves of Melaleucas to relieve respiratory complaints.

Soure: Indigenous plant use; A booklet on the medicinal, nutritional and technological use of indigenous plants; By Zena Cumpston; Clean Air and Urban Landscapes (CAUL) Hub in Melbourne 2020