The Many Uses of Melaleuca
Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae)
Origin: Australia, it's found all the way from NE New South Wales to Queensland (swampy coastal areas).
Distribution: Today the majority of tea tree products come from Australia (Grafton to Stroud districts). It is also grown in parts of California and Florida.
Trimmed plants Photograph by: Greig, D. Image credit to Australian National Botanic Gardens
Photo credit: http://vanessences.fr/blog/2011/08/melaleuca-alternifolia-tea-tree
Cultures that use Melaleuca
Mature Melaleuca
Harvesting process
Tea Tree Oil Steam Distillation Process
How Melaleuca is Used
How melaleuca oil is obtained
Stainless steel separator
Photo credit: http://www.teatree.org
Top of separator
Photo credit: http://www.teatree.org
Stainless steel tank
Photo credit: http://www.teatree.org
Primary and Secondary Chemicals
Component Concentration
terpinen-4-ol: Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal 30–48%
y-terpinene: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory 10–28%
a-terpinene: Perfume and flavoring effects 5–13%
1,8 Cineole: A colorless liquid terpene 0–15%
a-terpinolene: Sedative and colorless liquid 1.5–5%
a-terpineol: Anti-convulsant 1.5–8%
a-pinene: Bronchodilator 1–6%
p-Cymene: Perfume and flavoring effects 0.5–8%
Additional uses and information
References
1. Distilling. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2015, from http://www.teatree.org.au/teatree_about_distillation.php
2. CF, C. (2006). Tea Tree Oil. Retrieved November 29, 2015, from https://nccih.nih.gov/health/tea/treeoil.html
3. Crawford, Sharon; Odle, Teresa. "Tea Tree Oil." Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. 2005. Retrieved November 29, 2015 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3435100766.html
4. Single Essential Oils. (2014). In Modern essentials a contemporary guide to the therapeutic use of essential oils (6th ed., p. 115). Orem, UT: AromaTools.Retrieved November 30, 2015.
5. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree). (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2015, from http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/melaleuca-alternifolia-tea-tree
6. Melaleuca Oil (Tea Tree): Uses, Benefits, and Precautions - Sustainable Baby Steps. (2009). Retrieved November 30, 2015, from http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/melaleuca-oil.html
7. ATTIA Ltd – representing the Australian Tea Tree Industry. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2015, from http://www.teatree.org.au/index.php
8. Melaleuca Alternifolia – Tea Tree. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2015, from http://vanessences.fr/blog/2011/08/melaleuca-alternifolia-tea-tree/