Melaleuca linariifolia Sm.

Tea tree (Melaleuca linariifolia) is a shrub up to 10 meters tall of the Myrtaceae family, a wild plant native to Australia from Queensland to New South Wales. Its distinctive essential oil is a world-famous ingredient in soap and skincare products. Tea tree is believed to be antibacterial and effective in addressing acne, skin infections, and insect bites.

Grows well up to elevations of 300 m above sea level with a pH of 4.5-7, average maximum summer temperature 27-31ºC, average minimum temperature 17-19ºC, average rainfall of 1,000-1,600 mm/year. Fertile lime-free soil, dry, not too much nitrogen and a position in full sunlight are conditions preferred by this plant.

• Stem upright, bark white-cream in color, peeling, low canopy.
• Leaves alternate, linear-shaped, blue-green or green, coated with visible oil glands.
• Flowers fragrant, white or white-cream in color, sepals 3 mm with corolla length 2-3 mm. Stamens numbering 30-60, white in color.
• Fruit a capsule, 2-3 mm in diameter, brown or gray in color.

• Propagated generatively (seed) and vegetatively (cuttings).
• Seeds take about 12 months to develop after planting.

Terpinen-4-ol, gamma-terpinene, 1,8-cineole, limonene, pinene, a-terpinene, p-cymene, sesquiterpene, cineole.

Remedy for acne, headache, has antibacterial activity, burns, wounds, skin infections, canker sores, insect bites, warts, vaginal infections.

• Choose fresh, undamaged leaves. Wash the leaves with clean running water then drain.
• Dry the leaves on a dark-colored cloth base or using an oven (temperature 50-60°C).
• Dry-sort out unwanted foreign material. Store the simplisia in a container/plastic bag, at room temperature, well-aerated, away from direct sunlight, not in direct contact with the floor.

No information found. Further research needed.