Tea Tree
All About Tea Tree
Tea tree oil has long been used topically for a variety of home remedies. It is often used on foot fungi, dandruff, and wounds. In studies, it has shown shown antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity. It has also demonstrated the ability to reduce wound size, inflammation, acne scars, dandruff, and inflammation. Internally, it can be toxic, but has been used heavily diluted in studies to reduce oral bacteria, candida, and bad breathe.
Fun Fact
NOT for pets! Tea tree oil is very toxic to dogs and cats!
Tea Tree Research
Over 100 research articles have been catalogued on tea tree. Many studies have reviewed the antimicrobial actions of the plant and its extract/oil in vitro. It has also been studied as an insecticidal / repellent. Tea tree has shown both anti-inflammatory results and wound healing abilities in human studies. It can help to reduce dandruff, athlete's foot, haemorrhoids, and acne; more research is warranted. Based on studies, it might also be useful in very small amounts added to oral hygeine products to reduce oral bacteria and yeast infections as well as bad breathe. Click the button below for a detailed review of research.
Tea Tree Oil
Latin Name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Family: Myrtaceae
Other Common Names
- Other common names: paper back tree, melaleuca oil, melasol, Oleum melaleucae
- Other tea tree species with differing chemistry: lemon tea tree (Leptospermum petersonii) and black tea tree (M. bracteata).
- Not to be confused with: cornmint or yerba buena (Mentha arvensis), balm mint, or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Plant Description
This is a small tree growing up to 15 ft with paper bark, narrow aromatic leaves, cream colored flowers, growing in swampy coastland of Australia. There are chemotype varieties of tea tree oil; those high in terpinen-4-ol, those high in terpinolene, and those high in 1,8-cineole.
Herb Description
Oil is steam distilled from the leaves and twiglets. Its aroma is sharp, medicinal, and fresh.
Key Constituents
- Terpineol (alpha, beta, or gamma) / Terpinen-4-ol / Terpinolene
- Terpinene / Alpha Terpinene / Gamma Terpinene
- 1,8-cineole / Cineole / Eucalyptol / Cajeputol
- Pinene / Alpha Pinene / Delta Pinene / Beta Pinene
- Cymene / Paracymene
- d-Limonene / Limonene / Dipentene
- Sabinene
- Veridifloral / Viridifloral
- Aromadendrone
- Cadinene
