Tea tree ethereal oil

Botanical name: Melaleuca alternifolia

Precautions: Non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitizing in some individuals.

Tea tree EO is one of the best-known and most widely used of essential oils. Science has proven that the oil is effective against all three types of infectious agents: bacteria, fungi and viruses, thus deeming extremely helpful within acne products.

It is a very powerful immune-stimulant, hence tea tree EO is able to help fight cold sores and heal wounds and often used in wintertime cold formulations to keep germs from spreading.

Herbal Folk Tradition
Our present knowledge of tea tree is based on a very long history of use by the Aborigines of Australia. The natives inhale the oils from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds, they also make an infusion from the leaves to treat skin ailments and sore throat. They also sprinkle leaves on wounds, after which a poultice is applied.

Captain James Cook gave the name tea tree because he observed the Aborigines using the leaves to prepare a healing tea and it was reported that his men then learnt and used the leaves to brew a type of beer!