Tea tree, Melalauce alternifolia, is also known as ti tree, narrow-leaved paperbark, narrow-leaved tea-tree, narrow-leaved ti-tree or snow-in-summer.

Tea tree is not related to the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) at all, and is not closely related to the New Zealand tea tree/manuka (Leptospermum scoparium). Although they are both members of the same botanical family manuka is of no medicinal value.

Tea tree is a plant native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia which is difficult to grow elsewhere because the conditions it likes are generally difficult to provide. It is a small tree which can reach a height of around 20 feet (6m). It requires moist, well drained, acid to neutral soil. It is not hardy.

Tea tree is only used as an essential oil and as an additive to, eg. tea tree shampoo and other bath and body products. Often used as a treatment for acne, it is very useful and should be in everyone’s medicine cabinet as it is antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic and antiviral. Please visit our sister site, Guide to Aromatherapy for more information on uses of tea tree oil.

It isn’t practicable to extract essential oil at home, although you can make a fake oil by maceration of the leaves in carrier oil (eg. sweet almond oil or light olive oil) which could be used as a hair treatment for cooties, for example. To make an oil maceration, fill a plain glass jar with as many roughly chopped fresh tea tree leaves as will fit, cover with the carrier oil and add a tablespoonful of spirit vinegar (not malt vinegar) or vodka to act as a preservative. Cover and shake well, then stand on a sunny windowsill for 2-3 weeks, shaking well every day. When finished, strain off the herb and discard, transfer the oil to a dark colored glass container and store in a cool place. Use within 6 months.

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