TEA TREE
Product No. P20035
Also known as Malaleuca alternifolia and Ti-tree.
Tea tree is a small tree from New South Wales similar to Cypress, with needle-like leaves and heads of yellow or purplish flowers. It grows to about 7 metres (20 feet) and thrives in marshy areas, although it is now cultivated in plantations.
Even when this tree is cut down, it flourishes and is ready for cutting again in two years.
Tea Tree oil is only produced in Australia and the Aborigines used it for many medicinal purposes. As a reflection of its importance, in World War Two the producers and the cutters of Tea Tree were exempt from military service until enough essential oil had been accumulated. Tea Tree oil was issued to each soldier and sailor as part of their kit to treat tropical infections and infected wounds.
The oil is extracted from the leaves and twigs by steam distillation and the yield is 1.8%.
The main chemical components of tea tree oil are: Terpinene-4-ol, Cymene, Pinene, Terpinene, Cineole etc. It has a light spicy, rather pungent smell and is very pale in colour with a watery viscosity.
Tea Tree is often an ingredient of soaps, deodorants, disinfectants and air fresheners. It is usually used without any contra-indications but it may cause sensitisation in some people.
The therapeutic properties of Tea Tree include it being: antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, bactericidal, and fungicidal. It is also a stimulant, expectorant and natural insecticide.
Tea Tree oil is very important in helping the immune system to fight off infectious diseases. It is active in all three varieties of infectious organisms - bacteria, fungi and viruses.
It can help treat influenza, cold sores, catarrh, glandular fever and gingivitis, and clear bronchial congestion, asthma, coughs, sinusitis, whooping cough and tuberculosis.
On the genitourinary system, Tea tree oil is effective in helping to clear thrush, cystitis and genital infections in general. Other uses include effectiveness in treating abscesses, acne, burns, dandruff, herpes, and oily skin; it is also a valuable treatment for athlete's foot, cold sores, blemishes, diaper rash, warts, sunburn and infected wounds.
A course of massage with Tea Tree oil before an operation may help to fortify the body and reduce post-operative shock.
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