AROMATHERAPY AND ESSENTIAL OILS (TEA TREE OIL)

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Disclaimer:  please note that, this article is meant only, for informational purposes, and not to treat or diagnose any ailment.

This article will provide brief information for tea tree plant, brief history of the tea tree essential oil, method of extraction of tea tree essential oil and uses of tea tree oil.

TEA TREE (Melaleu alternifolia)

Tea tree plant is native to Australia, New Zealand, and the northern coast of new south Wales, but, grows in different parts of the world.

The Australian aborigines have used tea tree plant for thousands of years to cure many ailments. These ailments include: burns, cuts and wounds.

A little history of tea tree oil

In the 19^th century certain scientists, chemists and curators like, Dr Author penfold  carried out experiments on tea tree oil and found out that, tea tree oil is thirteen times  stronger than phenol as an antiseptic ( in 1900’s phenol was the generally accepted antiseptic).

METHOD OF EXTRACTION OF TEA TREE OIL

Steam distillation is the basis method used to extract tea tree essential oil. This method of extraction is done by, placing tea tree leaves on the steam distiller, while it’s being heated up with boiling water in a pot under the distiller. The vapor from the leaves and boiling water pass through a cooling chamber called a condenser. In this cooling chamber or condenser the vapor turns to liquid, and the essential oil is separated from the water.

USES OF TEA TREE OIL

As stated above tea tree oil has been known to for centuries as a medicinal substance, having antiseptic properties used for wounds, cuts, bites and burns.

Tea tree oil has over 98 compounds contained in it. But among these 98 compounds terpinen-4-ol gives it, its anti-microbial ability. Tea tree oil is also used to cure staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus epidermidis, acne and ringworm.

When buying tea tree essential oil be sure, it’s sold in a dark bottle, this dark bottle helps to reduce the adverse effect of ultraviolet rays on it.

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