Tea Tree

Botanical Name:                   Melaleuca alternifolia
Synonym:                              Myrtaceae
Botanical Family:                  Ti-tree
Country of Origin:                 Australia
Plant Part:                             Leaves and twigs
Extraction Method:               Steam or water distillation
Characteristics:                    medicinal, strong, spicy, pungent
Properties:                             
Antimicrobial, antiseptic, bactericide, cicatrisant, expectorant, fungicide, insecticide, stimulant, sudorific
Chemical Constituents:       
α-pinene, β-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, α-phellandrene, γ-terpinene, α-terpinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, p-cymene, terpinolene, linalool, terpinene-4-ol, α-terpineol
 
Indications:

Mind & Spirit:                                   
 
Refreshing and revitalising.
 
Body:                         
 
Cleans cuts and wounds
Assists the immune system
Use for flu, cold sores, catarrh, glandula fever, gingivitis, viral infections, fungal infections, blisters, herpes, burns, sunburn, acne, stings and nappy rash. 
 
Contraindications:                Non toxic, non irritant, may cause sensitisation in some individuals
Note:                                     Top     
Odour Intensity:                    3
Blends well with:                  
Cajeput, cinnamon, clove, cypress, eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, juniper, lavender, lemon, mandarin, orange, peppermint, pine, rosemary, thyme
 
Traditions:                 
The Aborigines used the leaves of Tea Tree to cure infected wounds.  Tea Tree kills bacteria, fungi and virus 12 times as effectively as carbolic.  It was named by Captain Cook’s crew who brewed the leaves and drank it as tea.