Tea tree essential oil

Latin name: Malaleuca Alternifolia Part of the plant used: leaves and branches Origin: Australia Extraction method: Steam distillation. Tea tree has been known for its medicinal properties in Eastern Australia since ancient times. Aboriginal Australians have been known to use crushed leaves for hundreds of years to heal cuts, burns, wounds, and infections. They inhaled the oils from the crushed leaves to relieve coughs and colds. They sprayed this oil on wounds and applied a cataplasm. They infused the leaves and made tea to soothe sore throats. Between 1920 and 1930, the essential oil of this tree became known in Europe and was used for its antimicrobial properties.