By: Liquirozo Mobliqui
The leaves of the tea tree have been used for therapeutic purposes for centuries. In today’s times it has been mentioned that people may occasionally have an allergic reaction to undiluted tea tree oil and could present with itching, rashes, redness, blisters or contact dermatitis. This oil shouldn’t be used by pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers. The oil from tea tree should not be consumed as it can cause central nervous system depression, confusion, coma, sleepiness, diarrhea and impaired immune function.
Since mouthwash and toothpaste are not swallowed, it is accepted though it contains tea tree oil. Homemade mouthwashes needs to be prevented as much as possible. If you experience symptoms from an overdose one should seek medical assistance immediately. Tea tree oil should be kept out of reach from pets and children.
Originating in New South Wales Australia, leaves of tea tree used to be the primary source for healing. Crushed leaves were applied to wound or the leaves were boiled and the liquid drunk. In order to heal their bodies the aboriginal people would bathe in the lagoons where the leaves of the tea tree had fallen.
The Melaleuca Alternifolia was named tea tree by Captain Cook. In the early 1900’s this plant was researched by Dr Penfold who discovered that by distilling the leaves oil was obtained and the antimicrobial was ten times stronger than any other antiseptic that was available at the time. It is also considered to be safe as there are no toxins found. All first aid kits during the Second World War contained
tea tree oil
and was issued to Australian soldiers. After the war this oil seemed to have disappeared as antibiotics then took the lead.
It was only during the late seventies that people started to rear towards more natural products and once again the oil from the Melaleuca oil became popular. Melaleuca is also now being tested as a potential for curing antibiotic resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. Minimum requirements have been presented by the Australian Government with regards to the purity of the oil. Nowadays the oil from the tea tree can be found in many products from cleaning agents to shampoos as well as dental floss.
The Australian Tea Tree Industry Association has set standards for tea tree oil which should contain the two components such as Cineol and Terpinen-4-ol and the levels of Terinen-4-ol should be around thirty to forty eight percent and the Cineol should be below fifteen percent. It is better to have lower levels of Cineol and higher for Terpinen-4-ol.
When purchasing tea tree oil and the bottle contains more than fifteen ml and does not come packed in a ribbed dark bottle then the product is not one hundred percent pure. Oil from then tea tree is light sensitive and has to be bottled in a dark bottle. Though it is claimed to be pure, it is not guaranteed.
