Tea Tree
Parts Usually Used
Essential oil
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Melaleuca alternifolia is a small tree to about 7 m (20 ft) with a bushy crown and whitish, papery bark. 04 in) wide. They are also rich in oil with the glands prominent. Flowers occur in white or cream-colored masses of spikes 3–5 cm (1–2 in) long over a short period, mostly spring to early summer, and give the tree an appearance of looking fluffy. 1 in) in diameter are scattered along the branches.
Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odor and a colour that ranges from pale yellow to nearly colourless and clear. Tea tree oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves.
Where Found
Tea tree is native to Australia where it occurs in southeast Queensland and the north coast and adjacent ranges of New South Wales. It grows along streams and on swampy flats, and is often the dominant species where it occurs.
Medicinal Properties
Contains powerful antimicrobial, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral and acaricidal properties. Clinical studies have shown it to be effective against E. coli, Staph. aureus and C. albicans and is similar to that of other broad‐spectrum, membrane‐active disinfectants and preservatives, such as phenol derivatives, chlorhexidine and parabenzoic acid derivatives.
Clinical studies have demonstrated that topical therapy with 2% butenafine hydrochloride and 5% Melaleuca alternifolia oil incorporated in cream in conjunction with debridement with a nail clipper is safe and significantly more effective than placebo to cure toenail toenail fungus. Tea tree oil may be a potentially useful cheaper alternative tratment for cold sores. Clinical studies show that tea tree oil is effective in treating a range of oral bacteria, making it a potential ingredient in toothpastes, mouthwashes, etc.
A recent study showed that tea tree oil is able to impair the growth of human M14 melanoma cells. Candida albicans is affected by the presence of tea tree oil, making it a possible treatment option. )
Biochemical Information
The oil contains many constituent chemicals and its composition changes if it is exposed to air and oxidizes.
Legends, Myths and Stories
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status Commercial use of tee tree oil began in the 1920s, pioneered by the entrepreneur Arthur Penfold. As of 2017 the global tea tree oil market was valued at US$39 million. The use of the name Tea Tree probably originated from Captain James Cook’s description of one of these shrubs that he used to make an infusion to drink in place of tea. Interestingly, ingestion of tea tree is potentially poisonous, so he probably did not drink much or it would have had disastrous effects for him.
For thousands of years, Aborigines used the leaves traditionally for many medicinal purposes, including chewing the young leaves to alleviate headache and for other ailments. They would also use the leaves as an antiseptic and antifungal by crushing the leaves and making a mudpack. The softness and flexibility of the paperbark itself made it an extremely useful tree to Aboriginal people.
It was used to line coolamons when used as cradles, as a bandage, as a sleeping mat, and as material for building humpies. It was also used for wrapping food for cooking (in the same way aluminium foil is today), as a disposable raincoat, and for tamping holes in canoes. Tea tree oil should not be confused with tea oil, the sweet seasoning and cooking oil from pressed seeds of the tea plant Camellia sinensis or the tea oil plant Camellia oleifera.
Uses
Indigenous Australians of eastern inland areas traditionally inhaled the oils from crushed tea tree leaves to address coughs and colds. They also applied the leaves to wounds beneath poultices, and soaked the foliage to make infusions for sore throats and skin complaints. In broader folk tradition and herbal practice, tea tree oil was applied topically for skin complaints such as acne, athlete's foot, ringworm, lice, and dandruff, as well as for burns, boils, hemorrhoids, insect bites, and minor cuts.
Herbalists also recommended it as a wash or topical agent for oral health concerns, including plaque, gum issues, and breath freshness, while bath water infused with the oil was historically employed for coughs and bronchial congestion. Additionally, traditional practitioners utilized it on domestic animals for minor wounds, insect bites, and skin ailments, and historically valued the oil as a general household disinfectant and insect repellent.
How Sold
Sold as topical gel or essential oil. Also included as an ingredient in lotions, soaps, toothpastes and mouthwashes.
Warning
According to Mayo Clinic: Most people can use tea tree oil topically with no problems. However, tea tree oil can cause: Skin irritation Allergic skin rash (dermatitis) Itching Stinging Burning Scaling Redness Dryness Don’t use tea tree oil if you have eczema. Mayo Clinic states: Tea tree oil is toxic when swallowed. Serious side effects can occur, including: Confusion A lack of muscle control or coordination of voluntary movements (ataxia) Decreasing levels of consciousness One study suggests that repeated exposure to lavender oil and tea tree oil might have led to the swelling of the breast tissue (gynecomastia) in young boys.
Tea tree oil should be kept away from pets and children. Specifically, in dogs and cats, death or transient signs of toxicity (lasting 2 to 3 days), such as lethargy, weakness, in coordination and muscle tremors, have been reported after external application at high doses. In people with acne, it can sometimes cause skin dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness. Applying products to the skin that contain tea tree oil along with lavender oil might not be safe for young boys who have not yet reached puberty.
These products might have hormone effects that could disrupt the normal hormones in a boy’s body. In some cases, this has resulted in boys developing abnormal breast growth called gynecomastia. The safety of these products when used by young girls is not known. During pregnancy and breast-feeding: Tea tree oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin.
Bibliography
Australian Tea Tree Oil: First Aid Kit in a Bottle 3rd Edition , by Cynthia Olsen, Sue Tinkle Australian Tea Tree Oil First Aid Handbook: 101 Plus Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil 2nd Edition , by Cynthia Olsen How to use Tea Tree Oil: 90 Great Ways to Use Natures “Medicine Cabinet in a Bottle” 2nd Edition , by Ruth Elston Tea Tree Oil: Discover The Amazing Healing, Beauty, And Detox Scerets Of Tea Tree Oil (Tea Tree Oil – Essential Oils – Home Remedies – Natural Cures) , by Sanford Evans Tea Tree Oil: The Natural Antiseptic , by Dr.
Cass Ingram