Plant Family: 

Myrtacea

 

Habitat & Cultivation: 

 Tea tree is originally from and indigenous to Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Cambodia, New Guinea, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam (Sharifi-Rad, 1996). The plant grows favorably on coastland near wetlands. A benefit to the Melaleuca plant is that is can be cultivated in many climates but favors an environment with moist soil in full sun (Sharifi-Rad, 1996). These plants are tolerable in both drought and flood conditions and can also withstand fires (Sharifi-Rad, 1996). Though, they do not tolerate climates with low temperature (Sharifi-Rad, 1996). This might tell us that the plant can withstand drastic climates. From this, the plant has many components that make it a strong therapeutic plant with anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory effects on the body.

 

Parts Used/Collection: 

Leaves

Herbal Actions: 

• Antimicrobial

• Anti-inflammatory

 

Indications: 

• Treatment of wounds and infections. Antifungal and antimicrobial to many antibiotic-resistant microbes.As with all essential oils, internal use is not recommended for most applications. High cineole content may cause local adverse reactions, contact allergy, and dermatitis. Liver toxicity has also been demonstrated.

• Sinusitis

• The common cold

• Sinus blockage

• Laryngitis

• Coughs

• Apthous

• Ulcers

• Boils

• Impetigo

• Psoriasis

• Infected seborrheic dermatitis

• Tinea infection (including ringworm of the scalp and athlete’s foot)

• Fungal infections of the nails

• Thrush

• Trichomonal vaginitis

You’re right about not using this EO internally, but it can be used via inhalation to come into contact with microbes in URT through diffusing in the home or via a diluted facial steam.  

Contraindications: 

 

Plant Constituents: 

 

System Affinities:

• antimicrobial

• antifungal

• anti-inflammatory

Energetics: 

 

• drying

• cooling

• light

• cold

Safety: 

Personal Experience:

 

I applied the melaluca sample to my acne and it cleared it by the next morning. It also dried the skin around the acne so I had to compensate and apply more moisturizer. I think it is a powerful herb and very effective. 

 

Research: 

Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism. Healing Arts Press: Vermont.

 

Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2005). The essential guide to herbal safety. Elsevier Health Sciences.

 

Romm, A. (2010). Botanical medicine for women's health (p.18-19). St. Louis, Mo: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.

 

Sharifi-Rad, J. (1996). Plants of the Melaleuca genus as antimicrobial agents: From farm to pharmacy. Phytotherapy research. 31(10): 1475-1494.