Tea tree oil is the essential oil from the leaves of the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree, a member of the botanical family Myrtaceane. There are over three hundred varieties of tee tree growing in the wilds of Australia. Many of them produce essential oils with healing properties. However, only one, Melaleuca alternifolia, has outstanding medicinal, beauty aid, personal hygiene, pet, plant and home care cleaning properties.

This tree grows in the Richmond River basin near Lismore, on the north coast of New South Wales as well as in the areas further south near Sydney and Newcastle. Yet, the botanical properties of their oils are sufficiently different that the tea tree grown in the north is preferred over those from the southern regions.

Why? Chemistry. A high terpinen-4-ol content combined with a low cineole content helps this variety have a safer and wider range of therapeutic uses. Terpinen-4-ol has a wide range of beneficial properties, with no side effects. Cineole's medicinal qualities are good for relief of colds. Recent scientific work indicates cineole is a relatively weak antimicrobial agent and is not irritating to the skin. Skin irritation may occur if the oil has a high para-cymene content.