Tea Tree Oil has been referred to as "the wonder from Down Under." It comes from the melaleuca tree, which is native to Australia and has long been used by the aborigines. Melaleuca grows in swampy or wet areas. More than 300 varieties exist, but only one is prized for its world-renowned oil.

Legend has it the tree was first introduced to Europeans by Captain Cook, who, with his sailors, made tea from the leaves while on a voyage to Australia--hence the name tea tree. The oil is extracted f rom the tree's leaves by a special distillation process. The trees do not need to be harvested in order for their oil to be extracted; in fact, some trees have provided their oil for over 60 years.

Arthur Penfold, an Australian scientist, is credited with discovering the tea tree's beneficial properties. Those properties make it a popular ingredient in shampoos, creams, skin cleansers, and other external cosmetic applications.

The compounds in tea tree oil benefit the skin and are non-irritating. The oil contains several important compounds, including terpines, cymones, pinines, terpineols, cineol, sesquiterpenes, and sesquiterpene alcohols.

Tea tree oil is nice to have on hand for its proven abilities. It's recommended for external use only in poultices and other skin cleansing applications.

Ingredients
Pure oil of the Australian Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia).

Nature
Purifying, uplifting.

How to Use
Diffusion, Massage, Bath, Inhalations, Skin and hair care, Household, Outdoors

Blend With
Lavender, Lemon, Pine Needle

Properties
Anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-viral, bactericide, insect repellent, Skin care.

Uses
An extremely versatile oil, cooling tea tree has long been used for its antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic andntiviral properties. It can be used undiluted on the skin.

User Care
Keep out of eyes and nose and out of the reach of children.