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Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel - Myrtaceae - tea tree, narrow-leaf paperbark, Teebaum
Native tree to eastern Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia; bark papery; leaves linear; flowers white. resembling bottle-brushes. [MPW]
„The indigenous Bundjalung people of eastern Australia use „tea trees“ as a traditional medicine by inhaling the oils from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds. They also sprinkle leaves on wounds, after which a poultice is applied. In addition, tea tree leaves are soaked to make an infusion to treat sore throats or skin ailments.“
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melaleuca_alternifolia
„The mechanism of action of TTO [tea tree oil] against bacteria has now been partly elucidated… In summary, the loss of intracellular material, inability to maintain homeostasis, and inhibition of respiration after treatment with TTO and/or components are consistent with a mechanism of action involving the loss of membrane integrity and function.“
[Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties., Carson, C.F., Hammer, K.A., Riley, T.V., Clinical microbiology reviews, 19(1), 2006, 50-62] http://cmr.asm.org/content/19/1/50.full
The essential oil, obtained from the foliage and terminal branchlets by steam distillation, is used as antimicrobial and expectorant. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_tree_oil
There are around 100 volatile compounds present, with different chemotypes have different chemical compositions. Terpinen-4-ol is the major component (30-48%), followed by γ-terpinene (10–28%) and α-terpinene (5–13%), 1,8-cineole (0–15%), α-terpinolene (1.5–5%), α-terpineol (1.5–8%), α-pinene (1–6%), p-cymene (0.5–8%), limonene (0.5-1.5%).
„The composition of Tea Tree Oil changes particularly in the presence of atmospheric oxygen but also when the oil is exposed to light and higher temperatures. The levels of α-terpinene, γ-terpinene and terpinolene decrease whereas the level of p-cymene increases up to tenfold. Oxidation processes lead to the formation of
peroxides, endoperoxides (ascaridole) and epoxides.“
„Tea Tree Oil is a skin sensitiser. Skin sensitisation may also be enhanced by irritancy. Neat
Tea Tree Oil and certain formulations at concentrations of 5% or more can induce skin and eye irritation. Based on clinical data, the current use levels of TTO are shown to induce contact allergy.“
„The following types of application for cosmetic products are given in the dossier: Skin - care products incl. post-waxing treatments up to 1.25%, Hair - care products up to 2.0%, Nail - care products up to 20%, Oral hygiene up to 0.2%, Personal hygiene including shaving products up to 2%. The undiluted might be used for other
purposes as well i.e. aromatherapy. “
[SCCP/1155/08 Scientific Committee on Consumer Products SCCP OPINION ON Tea tree oil- European Union Commission Health and Consumer Union protection director general- adopted 18th plenary of 16 December 2008] http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_160.pdf
About the Australian tea tree industry: http://www.ifeat.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Australian-tea-tree-industry-R-Davis.pdf