Tea Tree
|
Botanical Name |
Melaleuca alternifolia |
|
Family |
Myrtaceae |
|
Other Names |
Melasol narrow leaf paperbark tree, ti-tree, tr-trol |
|
Habitat |
Marshes |
|
Description |
Small evergreen perennial tree or shrub up to 15-43m/50-140ft with needle like leaves, yellow/purple flowers |
|
Aroma |
Warm, Christmas trees |
|
Native to |
Australia |
|
Cultivation |
Sunny position can tolerate wet or boggy conditions but prefers well-drained soil. Tolerant to pollution and salt winds. Grow indoors in cool climates |
|
Parts Used |
Oil |
|
Actions |
Antibiotic, anti-infectious, anti inflammatory, antipruritic, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, balsamic, cicatrisant, cordial, diaphoretic, expectorant, fungicidal, immuno-stimulant, insecticidal, parasiticide, stimulant, sudorific, vulnerary |
|
Extraction |
Steam or water distillation from leaves or twigs |
|
Constituents |
Up to 30% Terpinene-4-ol, cineol Monoterpenes: beta-pinene, alpha terpineol, limonene, cymene Sesquiterpenes: cubebol, epiucubebol, cubenol, epicubanol, delta cadiene Sesquiterpenes alcohols |
|
Combines with |
Chamomile, cypress, ginger, lavender, lemon, myrrh, rosemary, thyme, ylang ylang |
|
Note |
Top |
|
Skin |
Abscess, acne, athlete’s foot, blisters, burns, core sores, dandruff, herpes, insect bites, oily skin, burns, rashes, veruccas, warts, wounds |
|
Respiratory |
Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis, tuberculosis, whopping cough |
|
Genito-urinary |
Thrush, vaginitis, cystitis, pruritis, |
|
Immune |
Colds, fevers, flu |
|
Other Uses |
Soaps, toothpastes, deodorants, disinfectants, gargles |
|
Other Notes |
It was names as Captain Cook used it to make tea |