Tea tree oil, a pale yellow oil derived from the leaves of the Australian melaleuca evergreen tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), has a long history as an antiseptic by the Bundjalung Aborigines.

The tea tree was first described by a botanist in Captain Cook’s party on his trip to Australia in 1777.

During World War II, tea tree oil was issued to soldiers as a disinfectant. It has a very distinctive smell.

The oil can be applied directly to the skin to help:

• stimulate injury recovery

• heal without scarring

• fight bacterial and fungal infections

To use tea tree oil internally, add a few drops to a glass of water to fight infections.

It is helpful against bacteria that cause:

• acne

• strep

• staph

• typhoid

• diphtheria

• pneumonia

• meningitis

• gonorrhea

It definitely belongs in everyone’s herbal medicine cabinet!

Wendy Keeney-Kennicutt