062 Organic Tea Tree essential oil

tea tree essential oil Because the water-resistant “paperbark” is so easy to peel off the tree, Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) was used extensively by the aboriginal peoples of Australia to make small canoes, knife sheaths, and thatching for shelters. When cut down, the Tea Tree will quickly regrow from the stump. The aborigines soaked the pungent leaves in hot water and taken them as a cure for cold coughs, and headaches – or they were simply picked from the tree and chewed. It was Captain Cook who called the plant Tea Tree and it was a valued bush remedy used by early European settlers.

In World War II cutters and producers of tea tree were exempt from military service until enough essential oil had been accumulated. It was issued to each soldier and sailor for them to treat tropical infections and other problems of warfare, including wounds.

Botanical Name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Common Method Of Extraction: Steam distilled
Parts Used: Leaves and twigs
Note Classification: Middle
Aroma: Warm, Fresh, spicy-camphoraceous
Largest Producing Countries: Australia
Traditional Use: Employed in soaps, toothpastes, deodorants, disinfectants, gargles, germicides, and increasingly, in aftershaves and spicy colognes.
Properties: Analgesic, antibacterial, antibiotic, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antiseptic, antiviral, balsamic, cicatrisant, decongestant, diaphoretic, expectorant, fungicidal, stimulant (immune), and vulnerary. In 1923 an Australian scientist, Dr. A. R. Penfold, conducted a study of tea tree essential oil and discovered it to be 12 times more potent as an antiseptic bactericide than carbolic acid (the standard at the time). Tea Tree oil became recognized, according to the British Medical Journal in 1933, as 'a powerful disinfectant, non-poisonous and non-irritating'.
Benefits: Abscess, acne, asthma, athlete’s foot, blisters, bronchitis, burns, candida, catarrh, chicken pox, cold sores, colds, coughs, cystitis, dandruff, ear and nose infections, fever, flu, fungal infections, herpes, immune system deficiencies, infectious illnesses, insect bites, local anesthetic, oily skin, prevents radiation burns or scalds, pruritis, respiratory problems, sinusitis, skin rashes, staph, strep throat, thrush, tooth and gum infections, tuberculosis, vaginal infections, veruccae, viral infections, warts, whooping cough, and wounds.
Blends Well With: Tea Tree essential oil has a fresh, sharp scent, and is not usually blended with other oils, however it can blend with basil, bergamot, black pepper, cananga, german chamomile, roman chamomile, clary sage, clove, cypress, eucalyptus globus, eucalyptus radiata, geranium, juniper, lavandin, lavender, lemon, marjoram, nutmeg, oakmoss, oregano, peppermint, pine, ravensara, rosemary, thyme linalol, and thyme red.
Safety Data: Non-toxic, non-irritant, with possible sensitization in some individuals. Not to be used internally.

General Guidelines for safe use of essential oils

Be an experienced and knowledgeable user of essential oils and research all oils thoroughly and/or consult with a skilled practitioner before any use.

Dilute all oils being used with a vegetable carrier oil. Skin test all essential oils before using topically. Each person's body is different, so apply oils to a small area first. The inside of the arm is good for this. The bottoms of the feet are two of the safest, most affective places to use essential oils. Discontinue use or dilute further with vegetable oil if there is discomfort or skin irritation.

Keep essential oils out of the reach of children. Treat them as you would any product with therapeutic uses. Take special precaution with babies, pregnant women and anyone and everyone with allergies, special conditions and needs.

Keep essential oils away from mucous membranes and the eye area and do not put into ears. Do not handle contact lenses or rub eyes with essential oils on fingers. Know also that many of the citrus oils and others may cause a rash or darker pigmentation if applied to skin exposed to direct sunlight or UV rays within 3 to 4 days of use.

Keep bottles of essential oils tightly closed and store them in a cool location away from light. If stored properly, essential oils will maintain their potency for many years.