Description

Tea Tree

Origin and background

The essential oil of tea tree is obtained from the plant melaleuka (Melaleuca alternifolia), which grows wild in the coastal marshes of New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. It has fine flexible branches, narrow leathery leaves, and white inflorescences resembling tiny bottle brushes. For Australian aborigines, this plant was a valued remedy even before Europeans arrived in Australia. An extract was made from the leaves and shoot tips of this plant to treat skin diseases and insect bites and to disinfect wounds. Tea tree leaves were also soaked in hot water, used as a tea to treat a sore throat. Hence the name of the plant - tea tree. In Europe, this plant only became known for its great healing properties in the 1920s and 1930s.

Properties

Aromatic properties

Tea tree essential oil is very pure and sometimes even has a medicinal aroma, which makes it well suited for cleansing and dispelling sweet and slightly mild aromas. Its earthy, herbal, and woody aroma also helps combat unpleasant, stale, and "old" smells and keeps the surrounding air clean and clear.

If the aroma of tea tree oil seems too intense on its own, it can be combined, for example, with lemon or lemongrass essential oil. For example, tea tree oil can be diluted in a spray bottle with water and used to refresh bed linen and towels.

Healing properties

Tea tree oil has an antiseptic effect, stimulates the immune system and even helps against fungal diseases of the skin. Tea tree oil is also attributed to the ability to fight constipation as well as coughs and colds.

Applying tea tree essential oil to the skin helps treat acne and fungal infections, as well as dandruff and scalp irritations, vaginal inflammation and hemorrhoids. This oil also acts as a muscle relaxant and helps relieve joint pain.

By adding a few drops of oil to the bath water, it is possible to kill bacteria that could cause infections. Due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties, it is also an excellent additive in soaps and skin care products to cleanse and help maintain healthy skin.

Tea tree oil must definitely not be taken internally (as well as other essential oils). Do not use during pregnancy or breast feeding.

Recommended uses

Topical