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Tea Tree Oil

© Ellen Lord

Time tested for aiding coughs, bronchitis, infectious disease, muscle aches and pains, arthritis, rheumatism, eczema and wounds, and as a disinfectant. Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.
All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; and Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White. I was first introduced to Tea Tree Oil, Melaleuca alternifolia, by a lady friend of my mother, back in 1994 or 1995. This woman was just starting out in a multi-level marketing business that is based out of Idaho. The company markets a full line of personal hygiene, cleaning, health and nutritional supplement products, all of which contain tea tree oil. She wanted me to become a marketing executive, and after learning more about the products, I joined.
I have since dropped out of the marketing end of the business, but continue to purchase many of the products. I have found nothing that compares to tea tree oil in medicinal benefits. It has been referred to as "the wonder from down under", with good reason!
The Australian Standards Association has specified that the lowest quality of oil have at least 30% Terpinen 4-ol and less than 15% Cineole. (Cineole helps the oil to penetrate, but is somewhat caustic). There are two tea tree essential oils marketed by this company; the least expensive is 36% Terpinen 4-ol and 7% Cineole, while its more expensive oil is 40%Terpinen 4-ol and 5% Cineole, which is why I buy my tea tree oil from them. Currently the U.S. has no laws covering what the purity content must be regarding tea tree oil, there are companies that are marketing a a sub-standard oil that would be considered illegal by the Australian Standard Association. When purchasing tea tree oil, be careful to buy from a reputable company!
Plant Facts:
Although there are over 300 known species of tea trees in Australia, only one, the Melaleuca alternifolia, is known to have substantial therapeutic properties. More than 50 rare, natural substances have been isolated from the essence of tea tree leaves. It is thought that it is the unique combination of these actual ingredients that make this essential oil so useful rather than any compound by itself. One interesting note is that tea tree oil is the only instance where a unique compound called viridflorene exists in nature. Two other compounds - Terpinen 4-ol and Cineole - are regulated by the Australian Standards Association to designate therapeutic quality.

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