Tea Tree Oil
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts
| Common name | Tea tree |
| Scientific name | Melaleuca alternifolia |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Myrtales |
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Genus | Melaleuca |
| Type | Evergreen shrub or tree |
| Habitat | Streams, swampy areas and coasts |
| Native range | Coastal eastern Australia (northern New South Wales, south-east Queensland) |
| Colours | Gray-green to dark green leaves |
| Special feature | Leaves are distilled into antiseptic tea tree oil |
Tea tree oil is also known as melaleuca oil. It is an essential oil. When taken by mouth, it is toxic. It is widely used in skin washes and cosmetics. The Melaleuca plant or tea tree plant is famous for its essential oil which is antibiotic and anti-fungal. It is produced on a commercial scale and sold as Tea tree oil. This oil has a fresh Camphoraceous smell. The color of this oil ranges from pale to yellow to colorless. The oil is extracted from the leaves of the plant Melaleuca Alternifolia. The flowers and leaves are useful parts of this plant. This oil is available in the form of an ointment, soap, face wash, lotion, or cream. It has antiviral and antiseptic properties also. Tea tree is not common tea plant. Tea tree oil has a spicy, medicinal aroma. Against many pests, this oil is a botanical insecticide.
History
In 1920, the industry of commercial tea tree oil originated. This oil is commercially extracted from Melaleuca Alternifolia. In 1922, in the Sydney museum of technology and applied science, the Australian chemist Arthur Penfold, distilled the oil from the plant. He reported that this oil had anti fungal and antibiotic properties. Around the world, from the centuries it has been used to heal wounds and cuts. During the World War II, this oil was used to treat wounds of hundreds of soldiers. None of the medicines, ointments and lotions could work to stop the fungus of the soldiers, but tea tree oil was very effective and killed that fungus within just a few days. In 1770, the British explorer, Captain James Cook, observed the massive grooves of trees with thick aromatic leaves. He used it as a mixture, to drink in place of tea.
Anatomy
The Tea tree oil plant is a shrub or small tree and grows up to about 7 meters (23 ft) tall. Its leaves are evergreen. They are alternately arranged and are narrow and linear, with an entire margin, about 1 to 3.5 cm long and only about 1 mm wide. The leaves are gray green to dark green in color. Along the stem, the flowers of the tea tree, plant is produced in dense clusters. Each flower has fine small petals and a stiff bundle of stamens. The color of the flowers is usually white or cream. Its fruits are small capsules that contain several small seeds. The flowers of this plant have both female and male organs and they are pollinated by insects.
Habitat
The Tea tree oil plant is native to coastal areas of Australia, Northern Coast of New South Wales and South Eastern Queensland. It is used in New Zealand and Australia. Its habitat is along streams and swampy areas, at the adjacent ranges and on the coasts. In America, the tea tree is second best selling oil. This plant also thrives as landscape. It is used for ornamental planting.
Soil for Planting
The Tea tree oil plant requires well drained and fertile soil. It can survive in most soil conditions. It prefers moist soil. Sandy, clayey and loamy soil is also suitable for them. It prefers a soil which does not contain nitrogen.
Planting
Planting the tea tree oil plant is done by sowing seeds. Seeds have to be sown in the spring or autumn season in the moist soil and warm greenhouse. For better growth of the plant, ventilation is also necessary. The seeds of the plant can take 12 months to develop.
Watering
The Tea tree oil plant requires watering regularly, but over watering is not good. After planting, pruning is best to maintain the shape of the plant. It requires frequent watering. During the growing season, it requires a great deal of watering. If the plant is grown in the pot then it requires a lot of water.
Temperature and Humidity
Tea tree oil plants can tolerate temperature of -7 degree C. For best results this plant requires warm and humid conditions. This plant is not winter hardy. In indoor growing, a sunny window is ideal and for outdoor growing, full sunlight is best for the growth of the plant. If the temperature is too dry and cold, then the leaf drop will occur.
Flowering and Maturing Care
The Tea tree oil plant requires less care and maintenance. It can tolerate shade and can survive in most soils. It requires fertilizers for the growth of plants. Organic fertilizers are also essential because they keep the roots healthy. In the first season, it requires protection from the cold. Liquid fertilizers are good for them.
Harvest
The plant is harvested annually. Its leaves are harvested when they are fully mature. Harvesting is done by the big machines and also picking by hand in regular rotation in the spring and late summer season.
Pests and Pesticides
Tea tree oil is used as an insecticide for the plants. So pests and diseases are hardly ever an issue for the plant because its oil is strong. Mealy bug is one pest which attacks the tea tree plant.
Uses
The tea tree oil is used for medicinal purpose. Its leaves are used to treat headache and other ailments. Tea tree oil is used in cosmetics. It is used to treat minor burns and severe acne problems. As an herbal remedy it is directly applied to the skin to treat wounds. This oil is found in shampoos, antiseptic first aid, deodorants and household cleaning products. For respiratory illness and cold, the drops of this oil are added into a vaporizer for inhalation of its vapor. Its drops are also added to bath water. This oil is also mixed in water as a mouthwash. People have used it for skin infections. It also helps in soothing sunburns and insect bites. It reduces rashes and also acts in relieving itchiness from rashes and asthma and breathing conditions. It is also used in the homemade toothpastes. It is used to treat ringworms and warts. This oil is used to treat sore throats and is also helpful in healing vaginal yeast infections.
Tea tree FAQs
What is tea tree oil made from?
Tea tree oil is made from the leaves of the tea tree plant, Melaleuca alternifolia. The leaves are harvested when fully mature and the oil is extracted from them.
Where do tea trees grow?
Tea trees are native to the coast of Australia, in northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland. They grow along streams and in swampy areas.
Is tea tree the same plant as tea?
No. The tea tree is not the common tea plant. Captain James Cook’s crew brewed its leaves as a drink in 1770, which is how it got its name.
Is it safe to swallow tea tree oil?
No. Tea tree oil is toxic when taken by mouth. It is used on the skin, in soaps, face washes and cosmetics instead.
What is tea tree oil used for?
It is used in skin products, shampoos, deodorants and cleaning products because it has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties. It is also a natural insecticide against some pests.
Randi Jones is the owner and founder of the Nature Gift Store, an online retailer specializing in nature-themed gifts, educational science projects, live animal nature kits and real butterfly artwork. A biology graduate who fell in love with insects, she founded the company in 2001 to make active learning about nature fun, accessible and engaging for children and adults. Her store offers real butterfly frames, home and garden decor and educational live animal kits, including ant farms, worm farms, tadpoles, ladybugs and hermit crabs, and she runs a bug museum in Washington featuring live animals like Eddie the Iguana alongside other reptiles and insects.
