Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea Tree Essential Oil: purity and skin care.

Latin Name: Melaleuca Alternifolia

Plant part used: leaves and twigs

Origin: Australia

Extraction method: steam distillation

In early times, it seems that the leaves of this tree were infused to make tea, which is how the name came about. Tea tree essential oil is the concentrated liquid compounds steam-distilled from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, which is native to the northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is claimed that the oil has valuable antiseptic and antifungal properties due to components called terpenoids, and it is currently used in many personal care products and medicines.

Tea tree essential oil is said to be good for relieving congestion, colds, coughs, and the flu. It has been used to treat acne, fungal infections, dandruff, vaginal infections, hemorrhoids, athlete's foot, and is believed to soothe sore muscles and joint injuries. When added to bath water, it helps control bacteria. Tea tree oil should not be taken internally. It is generally used only in adults and should be kept away from children and pets. Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The tea tree has been known for its medicinal properties since ancient times in eastern Australia. Australian Aboriginals are known to have been using the crushed leaves to heal cuts, burns, sores, and infections for hundreds of years. They inhaled the oils from the crushed leaves to relieve coughs and colds. They sprinkled this oil on wounds and applied it as a poultice. They infused the leaves and made tea to soothe sore throats. It was between 1920 and 1930 that the essential oil of this tree began to be known and used for its antimicrobial properties in Europe.