Focus on Tea Tree
Focus on Tea Tree
Latin name
: Melaleuca alternifolia
Common names
: Tea Tree Oil
Origination
:
Australia
What is Tea Tree?
Tea Tree is a shrub belonging to the Myrtaceae botanical family, with needle like leaves, similar to cypress, with cessile pale flowers. It is an aromatic shrub owing to glandular dots in their leaves which, when crushed, release essential oils. This species is unique to
Australia
and native to
Northern New South Wales
. However, Melaleuca alternifolia has been cultivated successfully in other parts of
New South Wales
, in other states of
Australia
such as
Queensland
and
Western Australia
and in other countries.
Tea tree oil is steam or water distilled from the leaves and twigs of the Australian plant Melaleuca alternifolia. The oil is a pale yellowy-green or water-white mobile liquid with a warm fresh, spicy-camphoraceous odour.
The aroma of the oil is warm, spicy, medicinal and aromatic. It is occasionally used to scent spicy colognes and aftershaves. It blends well with lavender, rosemary and clove oils.
Tea tree oil contains over 100 components, mostly monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and their alcohols. Terpinen-4-ol is present at the highest levels (minimum 30%) and is responsible for most of the antimicrobial activity.
Tangled in History
For several hundred years the Aborigines have used the antiseptic properties of Tea Tree Oil. Australian aborigines speak of legends about magical lagoons where people bathed to heal cuts, wounds and skin infections. The lagoons described in the legends were ponds where Tea Trees dropped their leaves. Crushed leaves relieved pains from cuts and bruises. Aborigines were also said to inhale vapours of crushed Tea Tree leaves to treat colds.
Facts
·
Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic
·
Tea Tree Oil is natural organic solvent. As pure oil, it can dissolve chewing gum
·
Tea Tree Oil has antifungal and germicide properties
·
There are 130 varieties of tea tree but the best comes from only one of the three variants of Melaleuca alterniflora
·
Tea Tree in combination with other ingredients is used in air conditioning systems of skyscrapers to control fungal growth
·
40,000 tea tree seeds can be placed on a teaspoon
·
The amber bottles help to stop oxidisation (which can cause loss of efficiency and lead to skin irritation)
·
Tea Tree Oil has uses in acne, oral care, dandruff, headlice, as an antiseptic and disinfectant
Tea Tree Properties
Tea Tree oil displays a number of remarkable properties making a very effective oil for a wide range of complaints. Foremost and what makes Tea Tree outstanding in comparison to other remedies, is that it is active against all three varieties of infectious organisms: Bacteria, Fungi and Viruses. Independent microbiological testing has confirmed the effectiveness of Tea Tree oil in fighting infection is further backed up by its ability to protect itself and to respond appropriately.
Tea Tree Oil can be used for many different things from Aromatherapy, helping to combat spots, blackheads, nits, insect bites, fungal infections, burns, blisters, dandruff, and oily skin amongst others
