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Tea tree

Native to Australia, Aborigines use the crushed leaves to treat infected wounds and skin problems. On the battlefield Tea Tree was used in the first aid kit to treat infections before the use of antibiotics.
The oil is steam or water distilled from leaves and twigs from the tree.

The oil is colourless or pale yellow, with a strong, spicy, fresh camphoraceous smell.

Key actions:
Antiseptic, toning and stimulating.


Benefits:
Urinary
Effective for acute and chronic cystitis as well as genital infections, including thrush, non-specific urethritis, genital herpes, genital warts, parities and trichomonad. Use in baths, compresses and pessaries.


Respiratory

The antiseptic qualities can help throw off colds and flu, bronchitis, asthma and catarrh. Steam inhalations can help treat acute infections such as colds, flu, rhinitis and sinusitis.


Skin
Tea Tree is an excellent anti fungal, for the treatment of athlete's foot and ringworm. It is widely used for acne and as a disinfectant it is useful for corns, callouses, whitlows, boils, wounds, cuts and burns. For cold sores, warts and verrucae dab on neat daily.


Dental
Use as a mouthwash to treat bad breath, mouth ulcers and gum infections.


Usage:
See 'Safe Use of Essential Oils' article.

Bath, massage, diffusion, compress or inhalation.

Blends well with: Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Pine, Rosemary and Thyme.



Safety:
Non-toxic externally. Skin sensitisation is rare but possible.