Tea Tree Essential Oil Profile
Properties, Characteristics and Uses of Melaleuca Alternifolia EO
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is an important essential oil in the field of aromatherapy, despite being a relative newcomer; a universal and easy-to-use oil.
Essential Oil Botanicals: Tea tree (also spelled Ti-Tree) essential oil is steam distilled from a small tree or large woody shrub, Melaleuca alternifolia, which is in the same botanical family as Clove, Eucalyptus, Myrtle and Niaouli.
- Scent: Tea tree essential oil has a piercing, medical scent that is strong, but not generally overwhelming.
- Color and Body Grade: Tea tree essential oil is considered a middle note oil and is very pale yellow or nearly C colorless.
- Essential Oil Chemical Content: Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil is high in terpineol, cineol, pinene, terpinenes and many other constituents.
Tea Tree Oil Properties: Tea tree essential oil is considered by many aromatherapists as a universal oil because of the many characteristics. Melaleuca alternifolia is antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral and has been proven strong against many infectious agents. Tea tree essential oil is also an immunostimulant and helps strengthen the body's natural defenses.
Tea Tree Physical Benefits and Effects: Tea tree oil can be a gentle method of controlling skin irritations and infections such as cold sores, athlete's foot, yeast infections, acne problems, insect bites and minor cuts, scrapes or scratches. While some people can develop a sensitivity to prolonged use of the essential oil, especially when poor quality oil is used, tea tree oil is considered safe for undiluted application to small areas of the skin. Even toddlers find Melaleuca oil a welcome relief to ant bites or small cuts kids are prone to.
Tea Tree Mental/Psyche Effects: Tea tree oil is not generally used for specific mental effects the way rosemary or lavender essential oils are used, but the oil has a generally medicinal scent and stimulating effect. Reports of post-surgery use have shown benefits on the general mindset and healthy feelings.
Precautions for Using Tea Tree: As with any essential oil prolonged and heavy use of a single oil for many days on end could increase the risk of skin irritations and reactions. Tea tree oil, however, has very low toxicity and is considered a very safe and effective essential oil for using with the entire family. It is also considered safe to use undiluted, or neat, on small areas of the skin such as dabbing on a scratch, insect bite or blemish.
Therapeutic Essential Oil Combinations:
- Insect Repellant - Tea tree, lavender, citronella and eucalyptus essential oils.
- Blemish Skin Care - Tea tree and chamomile essential oils.
- Antiviral (Flu, Cold and other virus care) - Tea tree, ravensara and rosemary essential oil.
- Mouthwash for Gingivitis - Tea tree, myrrh and peppermint essential oils.
- Cooling Fever Wash - Tea tree, lavender, bergamot and eucalyptus essential oils are febrifuge (fever reducing).
- Preventing Illness (immune boosting) - Tea tree, rosewood, lavender and ravensara essential oils.
A word about essential oils: All essential oils are highly concentrated and so only high-quality, professional essential oils should be used. Dilute essential oils in carrier oils such as olive, apricot kernel, jojoba, or other natural oils; put a few drops in a cup of Epsom salts and dissolve in a bath tub of water or use a few drops in a diffuser, vaporizer or humidifier to introduce to your family.
