Tea Tree Essential Oil

Description

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil is extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia of the Myrtaceae family and is also known as ti-tree, ti-trol and melasol. This oil must be one of the most used essential oils, and thousands of people swear by its wonderful healing properties.

Oil properties

Tea tree essential oil has a light spicy, rather pungent smell and is very pale in color with a watery viscosity.

Origin

It is a small tree from New South Wales in Australia, similar to Cypress, with needle-like leaves and heads of sessile yellow or purplish flowers and grows to about 7 meters (20 feet) high and thrives in marshy areas, though it is now cultivated in plantations.

Even when this tree is cut down, it flourishes and is ready for cutting again in two years. The oil is only produced in Australia where the Aborigines used it for a long time for a variety of medicinal purposes.

In World War II, the producers and the cutters were exempt from military service until enough essential oil had been accumulated. Each soldier and sailor was issued with some as part of their kit, to treat tropical infections and infected wounds.

Tea tree essential oil is an ingredient of soaps, creams, lotions, deodorants, disinfectants and air fresheners.

Extraction

It is extracted from the leaves and twigs by steam distillation and the yield is about 1.8%

Chemical composition

The main chemical components of tea tree essential oil (also referred to as ti-tree oil) are a-pinene, b-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, a-phellandrene, a-terpinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, y-terpinene, p-cymene, terpinolene, linalool, terpinen-4-ol and a-terpineol.

Precautions

Tea tree essential oil is considered a safe oil, as it is non-toxic and non-irritant, but some individuals so show sensitizing to this oil, and it should be used with this in mind. It should not be used on deep wounds or near the eyes, ears, nose or internally. Please remember that it is a most powerful oil, but using it unwisely could result in problems

Therapeutic properties

The therapeutic properties of tea tree essential oil are antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, balsamic, bactericide, cicatrisant, expectorant, fungicide, insecticide, stimulant and sudorific.

Uses

Tea tree essential oil is very important in the health of the immune system, as it acts as a immuno-stimulant and increases the body’s ability to fight off any infections, while it also is used to revive the mind and body after shock.

Tea Tree essential oil helps with  acne, burns, herpes, oily skin, athlete’s foot, cold sores, blemishes, diaper rash, warts, sunburn and infected wounds, while fighting dandruff on the scalp.

The above information is for general research purposes only and is not a representation or warranty of any kind. This material is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The user of this material is solely responsible for determining fitness for any particular use; requesting and reviewing the applicable Material Safety Data Sheet; and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Terms and conditions apply.