TEA TREE (Leaves and Twigs) Melaleuca alternifolia 
Tea Tree essential Oil has a warm, fresh and spicy aroma and is very pale in colour. No house should be without this essential oil, as it is one of the most powerful immune system stimulants and sorts out most viral, bacterial and fungal infections quickly and also relieves muscle aches and pains. It is also useful in inhalations to clear the head.
Tea Tree essential oil is a wonderful antiseptic essential oil which can help maintain a healthy and balanced immune system, as it acts as a immuno-stimulant and increases the body’s ability to fight off any infections, while it also is used to revive the mind and body after shock.
The world over, this oil is used with great effectiveness to ward off bacterial, fungal and virus infections of any kind. It can help with influenza, cold sores, catarrh, glandular fever and gingivitis.
Apart from the superb anti-infectious properties of Tea Tree Essential oil, it is also most effective to help clear bronchial congestion, asthma, coughs, sinusitis, whooping cough and tuberculosis.
On the genito-urinary system, it can be used to help clear vaginal thrush, cystitis and genital infections in general and on the skin, it clears abscesses, acne, burns, herpes, oily skin, athlete’s foot, cold sores, blemishes, diaper rash, warts, sunburn and infected wounds, while fighting dandruff on the scalp.
Tea Tee Essential Oil helps heal wounds quicker and protect them from infections, as well as help neutralization of the scar marks and after spots left by eruptions, boils, acne etc.
A course of massage with tea tree oil before an operation may help to fortify the body and reduce post-operative shock.
Tea Tree Oil is an efficient insect deterrent and effective killer of mosquitoes, fleas, lice, flies etc.
Tea Tree Essential Oil blends well with
Although essential oils normally blend well together, tea tree oil blends particularly well with Cinnamon, Clary sage, Clove Bud, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram (Origanum marjorama), Myrrh, Nutmeg, Rosemary and Ylang Ylang.
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of tea tree oil are antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, balsamic, bactericide, cicatrisant, expectorant, fungicide, insecticide, stimulant and sudorific.
Therapeutic properties explained
Chemical composition
The main chemical components of tea tree oil (also referred to as ti-tree oil) are a-pinene, b-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, a-phellandrene, a-terpinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, y-terpinene, p-cymene, terpinolene, linalool, terpinen-4-ol and a-terpineol.
Extraction
Unicorn Aromatherapy’s Tea Tree oil originates from Australia and is extracted from the leaves and twigs by steam distillation and the yield is about 1.8%.
Precautions
Tea Tree Essential oil is considered a safe oil, as it is non-toxic and non-irritant, but some individuals so show sensitizing to this oil, and it should be used with this in mind.
It should not be used on deep wounds or near the eyes, ears, nose or internally. Please remember that it is a most powerful oil, but using it unwisely could result in problems.