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Tea
tree oil is the essential oil steam distilled from the Australian
plant Melaleuca alternifolia. This species is unique to Australia and
native to Northern New South Wales.
The Tea tree, is a paperbark tree with small narrow leaves arranged on
fine branchlets. The oil is found in the leaves. Tea Tree oil has become
a popular home remedy, particularly in recent years.
Tea tree oil has been used in the treatment of mouth ulcers and abscesses,
conjunctivitis, acne, boils, dandruff, septic wounds, cuts etc. and to
help relieve pain of burns, scalds, and it also helps to rid the hair
and body of lice, ticks and leaches.
Application
Essential oil of tea tree is a powerful antiseptic which kills most bacteria,
and is a broad spectrum antifungal.
Sprinkle a few drops on a handkerchief or pillow – or inhale 20 drops in
a bowl of hot water to relieve the discomfort of colds and ‘flu. Massage
undiluted onto chest and back for respiratory complaints.
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Tea
tree oil has been used in the
treatment of mouth ulcers
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The History of Tea Tree
Oil. |
Tea
tree oil was used as a general antiseptic by the aborigine tribes
for thousand of years. The medicinal properties of Tea Tree Oil was also
known for hundreds of years by the 'Bundjalung' tribe of Aborigines who
inhabited the Bungawalbin
They treated many
conditions by making a poultice from crushed leaves of the tree and would
bathe in the lagoon where tea tree leaves had turned the water into a
therapeutic bath.
Sir Joseph Banks,
a famous botanist on Captain Cooks ship-Endeavour, named the paperbark
trees around Botany Bay 'Tea Tree' and the name has stayed ever since.
The oil was also a very popular remedy with early Australian settlers.
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