What is Tea Tree Oil? Basically, it is an oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia.

Historically, the leaves were used as a substitute for tea, which is how tea tree oil got its name. The part used medicinally is the oil from the leaves.

The Tea Tree has a long history of traditional use. Australian aboriginals used Tea Tree leaves for healing skin cuts, burns, and infections by crushing the leaves and applying them to the affected area. The oils work as an antiseptic and antifungal due to terpenoids found naturally within the oil.

The first to recognize the unique qualities of the essential oil was a government chemist from Sydney, A. R. Penfold. In 1925 he announced the results of laboratory experiments that showed the oil was twelve times stronger than phenol (carbolic acid) which was then the universal standard for antiseptic substances. This led to further research and to the increasing use of the oil in medicine, dentistry and as a home remedy.

In 1930 a report in the Medical Journal of Australia' commented on its non- toxicity and lack of irritancy. The report noted enthusiastically that tea-tree oil dissolved pus and left the surfaces of infected wounds clean so that its germicidal action became more effective and without any apparent damage to the tissues. ‘Dirty wounds, such as are frequently seen as the result of street accidents, may be washed or syringed out with a 10% watery lotion; the solvent properties will loosen and bring away the dirt which is usually ground in ... healing will readily take place.'

In 1936 the same journal reported a very bad case of diabetic gangrene successfully treated with tea-tree oil. In 1937 it was pointed out that one of the outstanding features of the oil is that the presence of blood, pus or other organic matter actually increases the oil's antiseptic powers by some 10 to 12 per cent.

During the Second World War tea-tree oil was issued in first aid kits to army and navy units in the tropical regions. At one point demand so outstripped supply that synthetic antiseptics had to be substituted. This, coupled with the fervent post-war interest in antibiotic drugs, led to a decline of interest in tea-tree, which persisted right up to the 1970s.

So what are the complete benefits of Tea Tree Oil? Most notoriously, people have used it for the following conditions:

* Acne

* Athlete's foot

* Dandruff

* Vaginitis

* Thrush

* Periodontal disease

* As an antiseptic

* Boils

* Lice

* Eczema

* Psoriasis

* Yeast infection

There is dispute over whether Tea Tree Oil can be taken internally. Most packaging recommends against it, others claim in reasonable amounts it has various benefits. But taking it internally should only be by the advice of a professional.

So now you have heard of Tea Tree Oil. What are you waiting for, find some for your medicine chest.