Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae)

Commonly called tea tree it is native to the northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia. Tea tree oil, or melaleuca oil, is a pale yellow colour to nearly colourless and clear essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odour taken from its leaves. Scientifically investigated only recently, it is attributed with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic qualities.

Cosmetic use

Traditionally tea tree oil has been used as a topical application for the relief of several skin conditions. Its effective antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral activity as also its efficacy in scabies and against head lice is recently reported. It is demonstrated to be more effective than permethrin (synthetic insecticide used against body mites) against head lice.

While topical application of tea tree oil is comparable to that of 5% benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of common acne, shampoo with 5% tea tree oil is highly inhibitory to dandruff. Tea tree oil is commercially available as a cosmetic blended into creams or lotions for topical application. It is extensively promoted for use in a variety of dermatological conditions such as boils, abscesses, dandruff, bed sores, rashes etc. Principal components of tea tree oil are α-pinene, β-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, α -phellandrene, α -terpinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, terpinolene, linalool, terpinen-4-ol and α -terpineol.