TEA TREE

Medicinal Uses

acne

abscesses

athlete's foot

contact dermatitis

head lice

dandruff

nail fungus

vaginal yeast infections

lung problems

bronchitis

bronchial congestion

pulmonary inflammation

pneumonia

coughs

colds

sinus infections

neuralgia

headaches

earaches

ear infections

sore throat

fever

scabies

ringworm

abrasions

burns

chapped lips

rash from chicken pox

dandruff

dry skin

eczema

insect bites (mosquito/ flea bites/ bee stings)

hives and shingles

boils

hemorrhoids

cold sores

herpes

toothache

mouth and nose infections

gum disease

halitosis

gingivitis

thrush

cystitis

glandular fever

chronic fatigue syndrome

verrucae

warts

bladder infections

arthritis

Tea tree oil is an EO with immense potential for the treatment of dermatological disorders due to its antimicrobial properties against broad spectrum of micro-organisms.
It cleans infected surfaces without destroying tissue
It has also been applied to the skin to eliminate excess body hair (hirsutism) in women.
Tea tree oil has been used on the eyelids for a mite infection at the base of the eyelids.
It is strongly germicidal and is used in dentistry, deodorants, soaps, and mouthwashes.

Constituents

terpene hydrocarbons
monoterpenes
sesquiterpenes
terpinen-4-ol
cineol

Energetics/ Organoleptics

SMELL: spicy, fresh and camphor-like aroma with a dry hay-like undertone
TASTE: bitter, sharp and spicy
COLOR: clear
FEEL: thin, slightly oily and fast evaporation
NOTE: middle note
ENERGETICS: balancing, clarifying, protective, and purifying
CHAKRAS: 2nd Chakra - relationships, creation energy and 3rd Chakra - personal power
Tea Tree brings vital forces in through the hara, heats up the central nervous system channels and the thymus, stimulating the immune system.
Reflects soul energy. Helps to transform the shadow self into the radiant body, firmly anchoring the light body into the physical body.
Considered “The Oil of Energetic Boundaries”; known for its ability to release co-dependent and parasitic relationships.
Melaleuca helps you break free from any negative ties and frees up space for new and healthier connections. This essential oil may also assist you in recognizing the issues within you that allowed you to make toxic relationships and release those connections that have become unbalanced, draining, or stop us from growing.

Contradictions

Generally regarded as safe.
Tea tree oil can sometimes irritate the skin, especially in higher concentrations and cause allergic skin reactions.
There is a single report of breast enlargement in a young boy who used products containing lavender oil and tea tree oil; laboratory studies of the oil itself indicated that tea tree oil may have hormonal effects.
Caution should be taken with oral administration.
Aminopyrine - Increased clearance of drugs may occur due to induction of hepatic enzymes.
Veterinary toxicologists have reported that large amounts of tea tree oil applied to the skin of cats and dogs caused poisoning. Symptoms have included muscle tremors, weakness, difficulty in walking, low body temperature, and excessive salivation.

History

The oil is also of interest in the perfume industry, as it blends well with other oils while contributing its own distinctive note to soaps, deodorants and colognes.
Bundjalung Aborigines who historically resided in what is now known as New South Wales, Australia would pick the leaves from the tea tree plant, break them (like aloe leaves) then apply to heal burns, cuts, and insect bites. They also ground the leaves into a fine paste as wound dressing. Crushed leaves were also applied to the body as an insect repellant. They taught Captain Cook how to boil the leaves to create a spiced tea, so Cook called the plant a “tea tree.”

Tea-Tree-Hydrosol-Melaleuca-alternifolia

Common Names

Tea tree oil, tea tree, Australian tea tree oil, tea tree essential oil, melaleuca oil, teebaum (German)

Botanical Name

Melaleuca alternifolia

Family

Myrtaceae Family

Parts Used

The essential oil is obtained from the leaves.

Therapeutic Actions

analgesic

anti-bacterial

anti-cancer

anti-fungal

anti-inflammatory

anti-microbial

anti-parasitic

anti-protozoal

anti-oxidant

anti-septic

anti-viral

diaphoretic

expectorant

immunostimulant

vulnerary

Formulary

NAIL FUNGUS

Fungus infections of the nails (onychomycosis). Applying 100% tea tree oil solution to the skin twice daily for 6 months can cure fungal toenail infection in about 18% of people who try it. It can also improve nail appearance and symptoms in about 56% of patients after 3 months and 60% of patients after 6 months of treatment. It seems to be comparable to twice daily application of clotrimazole 1% solution (Fungoid, Lotrimin, Lotrimin AF). Lower concentrations of tea tree oil do not seem to be as effective. For example, there is some evidence that a 5% tea tree oil cream applied three times daily for 2 months has no benefit.

ATHLETE'S FOOT

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis). Topical application of a 10% tea tree oil cream works about as well as tolnaftate 1% cream (Genaspor, Tinactin, Ting, and others) for relieving symptoms of athlete's foot, including scaling, inflammation, itching, and burning. However, the 10% tea tree oil cream doesn't seem to cure the infection. However, applying a stronger tea tree oil solution (25% or 50%) appears to both relieve symptoms and clear up the infection in about half of people who try it for 4 weeks. However, 25% or 50% tea tree oil doesn't appear to be as effective for curing the infection as medications such as clotrimazole or terbinafine.

MRSA

For MRSA skin infections, tea tree oil applied topically several times a day is recommended. Internally, as part of an anti-MRSA protocol, 2-5 drops of tea tree oil can be taken 4-5 times per day by people with normal liver and kidney function. Other volatile oils that have shown anti-MRSA activity in vitro and that might be appropriate to combine with tea tree oil: African geranium (Pelargonium sidoides), lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), thyme (Thymus capitatus), and lavender (Lavandula spp.). Medical grade essential oils should be the only kind taken internally, and the essential oils should be taken in a carrier substance (e.g., olive oil, ghee).

COLDS/ RESPIRATORY ISSUES

A few drops placed on a hot wash cloth and held over the nose to breathe through alleviates symptoms of head colds, earaches, asthma, and bronchitis.

THRUSH

Use 7 drops Tea Tree & 2 drops Lavender in 1 oz aloe vera.

VAGINITIS

For vaginal douche, Use 5 drops Tea-Tree in 1/2 pint water.

HOUSEHOLD CLEANER

Combine tea tree with vinegar and baking soda for cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces

Flowers-of-the-Tea-Tree-640x526_1024x102

Research & References

Baldissera, Matheus & Silva, Aleksandro & Oliveira, Camila & Vaucher, Rodrigo & Santos, Roberto & Duarte, Thiago & Duarte, Marta & França, Raqueli & Lopes, Sonia & Raffin, Renata & Boligon, Aline & Linde Athayde, Margareth & Stefani, Lenita & Monteiro, Silvia. (2014). Effect of tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) on the longevity and immune response of rats infected by Trypanosoma evansi. Research in Veterinary Science. 96. 10.1016/j.rvsc.2014.03.013.

Carson, C. F., Hammer, K. A., & Riley, T. V. (2006). Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical microbiology reviews, 19(1), 50–62. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.19.1.50-62.2006

Erosh Yadav, Sunil Kumar, Sheefali Mahant, Sarita Khatkar & Rekha Rao (2017) Tea tree oil: a promising essential oil. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 29:3, 201-213, DOI: 10.1080/10412905.2016.1232665

Hammer, Katherine & Carson, Christine & Riley, T.V.. (2004). Antifungal effects of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and its components on Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy. 53. 1081-5. 10.1093/jac/dkh243.

Marioara Nicoleta, Filimon & Văideanu, Georgiana & Tomescu, Oana & Cojocaru, Andrei & Török-Oance, Rodica & Sinitean, Adrian. (2017). THE ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) EXTRACTS.

Cultivation

The tree can get 20 feet tall. It spreads out too, to 10 or 15 feet wide. Be sure to site it with enough room to grow.
Requires a fertile, well-drained moisture retentive lime-free soil in full sun.
Prefers a soil that does not contain much nitrogen. Plants are shade tolerant and succeed in most soils and aspects except dry conditions when they are grown in Australian gardens.