Description-
Tea tree is scientifically known as Melaleuca alternifolia, belongs to Myrataceae or myrtle family. Tea tree plant is indigenous to Southeast and Northeast Coast of New South Wales, Australia, also cultivated in New Zealand. It is an attractive thin leafed plant with soft; fine branch lets and it can grow fast and harvested as early as 6 months.
Extraction-
Tea tree oil is a volatile essential oil is derived mainly from Melaleuca alternifolia tree leaves, twigs and terminal branches through steam distillation method, although there are various extract methods such as distillation, Carbon dioxide supercritical extraction and solvent extraction.
Composition-
It is composed of 100 compounds, its main composition are Terpene hydrocarbon, monoterpenes & other alcohols.
Properties-
Tea tree oil is an essential oil having fresh and spicy camphoraceous odor and light yellow to early colorless and clear in appearance. Its aroma is warm.
Blending-
Tea tree oil is nicely blends with basil, bergamot, black pepper, chamomile, german, clary sage, cypress, eucalyptus, geranium, juniper, lavender, marjoram, lemon, thyme, ylang ylang, oregano, peppermint, pine, ravensara, rosemary, and oakmosss.
Uses-
- It is an active ingredient in variety of household and cosmetic products. Recommended Usage-
- Face Wash
- Shampoos
- Skin and nail creams
- Massage oils
- Laundry
- Detergents
- Tea tree oil is used in aromatherapy as it helps in alleviating chest and head congestion, stuffy nose and other symptoms of cold and coughs.
- It is used to heal acne and also relieve in skin inflammation as it reduce psoriasis and also used against eczema.
- It is antibacterial so used for treatment of chickenpox, cold sores, congestion and respiratory tract infection.
- It is used against fungal infection such as Candida, jock itch, athlete’s foot and toenail fungus as it is antifungal.
- It is used to eliminate body odor and reduce sweatiness, fight odor.
- It is used to softens dry cuticles and eliminate toenail fungus.
Safety and Precaution-
- Avoid undiluted tree oil, it may cause irritation. It may cause allergic reaction such as rashes usually mild & itchy which may lead to blistering.
- It may cause dizziness and swelling in throat.
- It may be toxic for pet as it may cause hypersensitivity reaction.
Specification of Tea Tree Oil:
Botanical Source – Melaleuca sp.
Description – Clear mobile colourless to pale yellow liquid.
Odour – Characteristic.
Specific Gravity – 0.885 – 0.906
Refractive Index at 20°C – 1.475 TO 1.482
Optical Rotation – +5° – +15°
Alpha –pinene – 1.0% – 6.0%
Sabinene – less than 3.5%
Alpha terpinene – 5.0% – 13%
Limonene – 0.5% – 4.0%
Cineole – Max. 15%
Y-terpinene – 10% – 28%
P-Cymene – 0.5% – 12%
Terpinolene – 1.5% – 5%
Terpinen-4-ol – Min. 30%
Aromadrere – Max. 7%
Alpha-terpineol – 1.5% – 8%
Storage In well fitted container, in cool and dark place.
