Tea Tree- Nature’s Disinfectant

After Lavender, Tea tree is one of the most recognised and widely used essential oils.  With a multitude of uses it is one oil everyone should have in their cupboard.

Australia’s own tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) contains at least 48 different organic compounds. Part of the magic around tea tree derives from the fact that the oil is active against all three categories of infectious organisms: bacteria, viruses and fungi. Over 48 different compounds combine to achieve this effect.  Traditionally tea tree oil, at various dilutions, has been used to treat a variety of skin, joint, and muscle conditions including acne, athlete’s foot, boils and burns, insect bites, lice, scabies, body and foot odour, vaginal infections, sinus congestion, hemorrhoids, ring worm, mouth and throat infections, herpes, warts, sprains, rheumatism, and sore muscles. Aborigines used tea tree in medicine for coughs, colds. The leaves were crushed and inhaled or soaked to make an infusion. Leaf washes were applied to pains, sores and burns.

When using tea tree oil around the home, always use it diluted, otherwise sensitisation can occur.  At most we recommend 1 part tea tree to 1 part fixed oil (sunflower, almond etc) for direct application to skin.Here at Moon-Haven we use Tea Tree in many of our preparations including Universal Herbal Ointment and our rejuvenated Tea Tree-t clay based soap.