Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Essential Oil
Melaleuca essential oil, which is commonly referred to as tea tree oil, is one of the most well-known and versatile of all the essential oils that are out there. Some people get tea tree oil confused with the plant that most of the teas in the world are made out of but they are completely different. Tea oil is another common confusion but tea tree oil is made from the Melaleuca Alternifolia plant which can be found in the United Kingdom and Australia as well as a few other parts of the world. Tea tree oil has been a commercial industry since the early part of the 20th century when the antiseptic properties were discovered.
The Basics about Tea TreeEssential Oil
Many people consider Melaleuca, or tea tree oil, to be a cure for just about everything, and they aren’t wrong. Tea tree oil is one of the most versatile of all of the essential oils out there and offers a huge range of benefits that range from physical and mental health benefits to all sorts of uses. If you are looking for a miracle cure, tea tree oil is probably the closest that you are going to be able to come. There is a huge list of tropical diseases and infections that can be treated by tea tree oil and you might be hard pressed to find something that isn’t. The drug is so popular in Australia that almost no household is without it.
How is Tea Tree Essential Oil Manufactured?
Tea tree oil is manufactured the same way that just about every other essential oil is manufactured (except for citrus fruit essential oils, which are created through a cold-press process), through the process of steam distillation. The problem with this particular oil is that in order for it to be officially be called tea tree oil, there are 48 different compounds that must be present and it has to be produced naturally.
Types of Tea Tree Essential Oil
There are some things to keep in mind when it comes to the Melaleuca plant and the type that you should be using for essential oil. The best rule of thumb to go with is to find a distributor that you trust and then use them but if you can’t do that, or this is your first time buying it, look for brands that come from Australia and make sure that other Melaleuca varieties are not mixed in with your essential oil – you want it to be as pure as possible.
How to Use Tea Tree Essential Oil
There are several ways that you can use this particular essential oil. It is definitely versatile oil and can be used for all sorts of medical conditions and problems, but you need to remember that tea tree oil is toxic and should never be ingested, even in diluted form. You can use it on the skin if you act with care but make sure you test it beforehand. Diluted and sprayed or added to a cream, tea tree oil can be used on all kinds of applications such as your nails, to treat your scalp and break up excess oil, to reduce odor from dirty diapers, freshen your laundry and especially as a very effective degreaser and cleaning product.
Composition of Melaleuca Essential Oil
The thing about tea tree oil is that there are certain standards that it has to meet before it can be called tea tree oil. The International Standard says that there must be 15 different components that all has to be present before something can be marketed or sold as tea tree oil. There are around 100 compounds that tea tree oil can contain.
Aromatic Description of Melaleuca Essential Oil
Tea tree oil smells really great. It has a very fresh aroma that is rather difficult to pin down but isn’t displeasing at all. You can also combine tea tree oil with another essential oil – particularly one like lavender which adds a great deal of pleasantness to any scent; there are more essential oils that you can mix tea tree oil with at the end.
Precautions & Side Effects of Melaleuca Essential Oil
There are definitely some safety concerns to keep in mind when it comes to using tea tree oil. For one thing, you should never digest it. Tea tree oil is toxic and there have been very serious cases where someone has ingested it and has suffered serious medical complications because. In excessive cases, it can even be fatal. Also, make sure that you are using the lowest possible concentration when using it topically. Tea tree can treat a large number of skin conditions, but you need to be careful how you use it. As always, it should never be given to children or pets, and pregnant or nursing women should avoid it.
Attributes of Tea Tree Essential Oil
| Attribute | X | Definition |
| analgesic | Reduces pain in muscles and joints | |
| anti-arthritic | Reduces arthritis symptoms | |
| anti-infectious | Prevents infection | |
| anti-inflammatory | Reduces inflammation | |
| antibiotic | Keeps biotic infections from developing | |
| antidepressant | Helps to alleviate depression | |
| antiemetic | Prevents nausea and vomiting | |
| anti-galactogogue | Reduces milk supply in the body | |
| antifungal | X | Kills harmful fungal life forms |
| antimicrobial | X | Kills microbial life forms that cause disease |
| anti-neuralgic | Counteracts nerve pain | |
| anti-rheumatic | Counteracts pain from rheumatism | |
| antiseborrhoeic | Keeps the body from making an unhealthy amount of sebum | |
| antiseptic | X | Prevents growth of organisms which cause disease |
| antispasmodic | Prevents spasms from occurring | |
| antiviral | X | Kills viral agents |
| aperient | Relieves constipation | |
| aphrodisiac | Increases sexual desires | |
| astringent | Causes skin tissue to contract – to counter lines and wrinkles | |
| bactericidal | X | Kills bacterial agents |
| carminative | Prevents formation of gas in the GI tract | |
| cholagogue | Assists with the discharge of bile | |
| cicatrisant | X | Assists in the formation of healthy scar tissue |
| circulatory | Promotes healthy circulatory system function | |
| diaphoretic | Induces perspiration | |
| decongestant | Reduces or eliminates congestions of nasal cavities | |
| deodorant | Eliminates and prevents body odor | |
| depurative | Helps to detoxify the body | |
| Digestive | Helps with the digestion of food | |
| diuretic | Removes excess water from the body | |
| expectorant | X | Loosens mucous and helps clear it from the body |
| emenagogue | Promotes healthy menstrual discharge | |
| febrifuge | Aids in the reduction of fever | |
| hepatic | Promotes healthy liver function | |
| hypotensive | Helps to lower blood pressure | |
| Insecticide | X | Kills certain types of insects or pests |
| muscle relaxant | Relaxes tight muscles and prevents muscle spasms | |
| nervine | Reduces anxiety and calms the nerves | |
| sedative | Aids in calming or induces sleepiness | |
| stimulant | X | Increases physiological or nervous system activity |
| stomachic | Aids in a healthy appetite or digestion | |
| sudorific | X | Promotes or aids in activation of sweat glands |
| tonic | Tones the skin or muscles | |
| vermifuge | Kills parasitic worms | |
| vulnerary | Promotes rapid healing of wounds |
What is Tea Trea Essential Oil Primarily Used For?
You may be wondering just what tea tree oil is primarily used for. The answer is – just about everything. There are so many things that this essential oil can do that it is simply staggering. Starting with the benefit to your immune system and its ability to kill harmful life forms – it is antibacterial and fights viruses, funguses, bacterial and microbial life. It also helps you to absorb the nutrients from food better and helps you heal faster, and protect you from infections and prevent the formation of scars and other skin problems. Melaleuca is great for colds because of its expectorant qualities, which help to loosen mucous and assists with the healing of illnesses like bronchitis, cough and cold. In addition, it helps to relieve congestion.
Many people also use tea tree oil because it has wonderful properties for the hair, giving your hair some of the things it needs to be healthier, like increased blood flow and vitality to the follicles. It is an effective antiseptic for wounds and has stimulant properties that can help you feel energized and awake, and ready to combat the day. In addition to all of this, it helps to reduce inflammation and prevent and heal pain that way.
Other Uses for Melaleuca Essential Oils
This is a great essential oil that might just have other benefits as well. You can use it for all kinds of injuries and illnesses depending upon which property of essential oil that you need and it cuts of wide swath of diseases and problems that it treats.
Recommended Combinations Involving Melaleuca Essential Oil
Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Clove, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Rosewood, Rosemary and Thyme essential oils.
