Tea Tree Organic Essential Oil from Australia

Tea Tree Organic Essential Oil from Australia 

Batch: E1001164

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Other common names: T-tree, ti-tree, narrow-leaved paperbark

Latin name: Melaleuca alternifolia

Botanical family: Myrtaceae

Method of extraction: steam / water distillation

Plant part used to extract the oil: leaves and twigs

Cultivation method: organic

Area of origin: native to Australia. Produced in New South Wales.

Historical notes:

The name of the genus ‘Melaleuca’ is derived from the Greek ‘melos’ meaning ‘dark, black’ and ‘leukon’ meaning ‘white’. It is noted that this name was first used in the description of a closely related cajeput tree to acknowledge the characteristic colours of the trunk (black) and higher branches (white).

Many essential oil-bearing evergreen shrubs and small trees of Australia and New Zealand, including those of Melaleuca genius, belong to the Myrtaceae botanical family, e.g., cajeput, niaouli, manuka, kanuka, various myrtles and eucalyptuses. Many of them have long-recognised Aboriginal medicinal uses. Interestingly, large quantities of tea tree oil were used during WWII to reduce infection and heal skin injuries commonly seen in those handling ammunition, etc.

The common name ‘tea tree’ probably originated from Captain James Cook's observation (1777) of leaves of one of the Melaleuca shrubs being used to make an infusion - similar to tea - to prevent scurvy.

Biochemical group: alcohol

Main chemical constituents:

terpinene-1,4-ol 38.59%, gamma-terpinene 22.43%, α-terpinene 11.4%, 1,8-cineole 4.08%, terpinolene 3.87%, α-pinene 2.69%, α-Terpineol 2.52%, p-cymene 1.45%, α-terpinyl acetate 1.23%, limonene 1.03%, δ-cadinene 1%, β-pinene 0.8 %, ledene 0.76%, aromadendrene 0.7%, trans-nerolidol 0.57%, α- phellandrene 0.51%, trans-β-caryophyllene 0.31%, myrcene  0.1%, viridiflorol 0.1%

Colour:  pale yellow

Consistency: thin

Aroma strength: medium

Perfumery note: top/middle

Aroma: medicinal, camphoraceous, fresh, herbaceous with a warm and earthy note

Traditional Aromatherapy Uses:      

Traditionally in aromatherapy treatments tea tree is associated with the following therapeutic properties: antibacterial (inc. MRSA), anti-biofilm, anti-acne, anti-candida, anti-dundruff, antifungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-parasitic (head lice, scabies), anti-psoriatic, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, cicatrisant, expectorant, fungicidal, immuno-modulation, sanitising, vulnerary.

Qualified aromatherapists may use tea tree essential oil for common complaints such as:

• respiratory issues, such as sinusitis, cough and catarrh, bronchitis and whooping cough
• immune system – it is thought to be particularly useful for those who struggle to overcome infections
• genito-urinary system complaints – cystitis, pruritis, thrush
• nervous and psychological issues – regarded as a restorative (neither relaxant nor stimulant), it is sometimes used for both physical and mental fatigue.
• skin care - it is used for various skin infections, including acne, athlete’s foot, cold sores, warts and verrucas, small wounds and insect bites. It is often used in products for oily skin.
• others

How we use it:

Inhalation / Vaporisation:

- Vaporise a couple of drops or use in an aroma inhaler for fatigue - try blended with black pepper, lemon, peppermint or rosemary.

- Vaporising a couple of drops of tea tree might help with cold and flu symptoms and recovery - try in combination with a drop of lemon, fragonia, niaouli or ravintsara.

Skin applications:

- For athlete’s foot – try blending with thyme CT linalool and palmarosa

- For cold sores – try blended with melissa

- For skin preparation for oily skin prone to acne – try combining with lavender, geranium or palmarosa

Please, also see our How to Use Essential Oils Safely page for more information

Safety considerations:

Tisserand and Young indicate a low risk of skin sensitization when using Tea Tree essential oil topically and recommend a dermal maximum of 15%. They also caution against the use of old, oxidized oil. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 440-445.]

 Please, also see our How to Use Essential Oils Safely page for more information.