June 26, 2002

TEA TREE

Latin Name: Melaleuca alternifolia

Alternate Names: Cajeput, Niaouli

Family: MYRTACEAE

Parts Used: Essential oil from leaves.

Properties: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Immune Stimulant, Insecticide.

Internal Uses: Candida, Colds, Colitis, Cystitis, Sinusitis, Sore Throat, Staphylococcus, Tonsillitis

Internal Applications: Tea, Lozenges.

Use the essential oil internally in minute doses, usually one or two drops to a glass of water several times daily to treat Candida or cystitis. Also used as lozenges for colds and throat infections.

Topical Uses: Acne, Athlete's Foot, Boils, Burns, Candida, Cold Sores, Corns, Gingivitis, Herpes, Insect Bites, Insect Repellent, Insect Stings, Lice, Nail Fungus, Pain, Psoriasis, Radiation Burns, Respiratory Infection, Ringworm, Sore Throat, Strep Throat, Thrush, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection

Topical Applications: Douche or suppository for yeast infections. Mouthwash or gargle for gum diseases, sore throat and thrush. Apply directly to acne, athletes foot, cold sores, boils, infected burns, herpes, insect bites, bee stings, ringworm, and warts. Add to shampoo, hair rinse, brushes and combs to repel head lice. Wear on pulse points as insect repellent. Inhale for respiratory infections and to prevent the spread of infection. Niaouli can be applied to the skin before radiation therapy to reduce burning of the skin.

Energetics: Pungent, Warm.

Chemical Constituents: Essential oil (terpinene, gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpinene, cinneol).

Contraindications: Do not use essential oil internally unless under guidance of a competent health professional.

Comments: Native to Australia, Tea Tree is a traditional Aboriginal remedy. The plant is called Tea Tree as the young tips look similar to the Tea plant, though they are unrelated. Captain James Cook led a sailing expedition where members used the leaves of this plant as a tea which led to the current name. During World War II, Tea Tree oil was used by Australian soldiers as a disinfectant. The genus name, Melaleuca, is from Greek, meaning 'black and white', after the trunk color of one of the species.

The common name Tea Tree includes the species Melaleuca cajuputi (Cajeput), Melaleuca viridiflora (Niaouli), and over 150 other Melaleuca species, which are used interchangeably with Melaleuca alternifolia.

-- Phil in KS (cshomestead@planetkc.com), June 26, 2002

Answers

Thanks Phil! (and Cheryl).

I use tea tree oil and did not know it had internal uses. Thought it was strictly external. Love learning something new EVERY day! !

Your hard work IS appreciated.

-- Granny Hen (cluckin along@cs.com), June 28, 2002.

Ditto! You two are the greatest! How did you learn so much about plants, etc? Judy

-- Judy Hill (hillsacres@sk.sympatico.ca), June 29, 2002.