Tea Tree Essence
Description
© Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
TEA TREE (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Family: Myrtaceae (shrubs and trees)
Source: The Essential oil is obtained from the Leaves and terminal branchlets.
Fragrance:Spicy, nutmeg-like, pungent, masculine
Volatility: Top note
General description and habitat:
Small tree; height up to 20 feet; small, soft, narrow leaves; cream flowers like bottlebrushes; followed by small, woody capsules set close together; related to the trees which produce cajeput and niaouli oils; grown in a small, marshy area of New South Wales, Australia, in dense thickets.
Principal constituents: Pinene, cymene, cineole, terpenes, terpinene, alcohols.
History
History and folk use:
The early white settlers used it as a bush remedy but it only began to be studied seriously after the First World War. There was a peak in interest up to the Second World War but thereafter supplies decreased because of the dangerous environment in which it grew.
In the 1970s interest was rekindled and has increased.
Properties & Uses
General properties: Antiseptic, antiviral, fungicidal, cooling.
Primary Uses:
| Burns | Colds & Influenza |
| Immune system | Infections |
| Mouth & throat conditions | Skin conditions |
Secondary Uses:
| Acne, | Boils & Carbuncles, | |
| Bronchitis, | Candida, | |
| Catarrh, | Chapped Skin, | |
| Coughs, | Cuts, | |
| Cystitis, | Dandruff, | |
| Foot Problems, | Mononucleosis, | |
| Gum Infection, | Herpes, | |
| Influenza, | Lumbago, | |
| Mouth Ulcers, | Myalgic Encephalitis, | |
| Oily And Open Pores, | Perspiration, | |
| Psoriasis, | Rhinitis, | |
| Sinusitis, | Sore Throats, | |
| Sores, | Thrush, | |
| Ulcers, | Vaginal Itching, | |
| Warts, | Wounds. |
Contraindications
Use in low concentrations as it is potentially irritating.
It is not approved by the FDA for internal consumption. Can be toxic to infants.
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