Essential Oil Database

Photo: Melaleuca Alternifolia

Tea Tree

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Melaleuca Alternifolia

Family Name:

Myrtaceae

Source Country:

Australia

Plant Parts Used:

Leaves

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Pinene, myrcene, paracymene, limonene, caryphyllene, cineole, aromadendrene, terpineneol

Botanical Description

Photo: Melaleuca Alternifolia

Melaleuca Alternifolia is native to Australasia. It is an evergreen tree commonly known as Ti Tree (Ti-trol, Tea Tree), growing up to 7 meters tall. Tea Tree leaves are dark green and aromatic, the white flowers grow on thick spikes, and the trunk has a thick spongy exfoliating bark.

Other important members of the Malaleuca species is Malaleuca Viridiflora, common name Paper Bark from which Niaouli oil is derived, and Melaleuca Leucadendra from which Cajuput oil is derived.

Tea Tree has traditionally been used for its medicinal, antiseptic and insecticidal properties by indigenous peoples of Australasia.

Photo: Melaleuca Alternifolia

Fragrance

Tea Tree essential oil has a warm, spicy, slightly mint, camphor like scent.

Tea Tree essential oil is a clear to pale yellow liquid.

Tea Tree blends well with cinnamon, clary sage, cypress, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemon, marjoram, peppermint, pine and rosemary.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Melaleuca Alternifolia

Properties: analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal, balsamic, cicatrizant, deodorant, diaphoretic, expectorant, fungicidal, immune-stimulant, purifying, sedative.

Aids: immune system, recuperation.

Alleviates: abscess, acne, asthma, athletes foot, arthritis, blisters, bronchitis, burns, catarrh, coughs, cystitis, dandruff, herpes, insect bites, lice, ringworm, sinusitis, thrush.

Tea Tree has traditionally been used to stimulate the body’s natural immune system.

Safety Data

May cause dermatitis.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.