Tea Tree

Botanical Name: Melaleuca alternifolia

Botanical Description: Tea tree is an evergreen tree belonging to the Myrtaceae family, native to Australia.

Cosmetic Benefits: Tea tree essential oil is valued for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties, making it beneficial for treating acne, blemishes, and other skin infections. It helps cleanse and purify the skin, reduce inflammation and redness, and regulate sebum production. Tea tree essential oil can be used in skincare products to promote clear, healthy skin and prevent breakouts.

Scientific Overview: Tea tree produces small, needle-like leaves and white or cream-colored flowers arranged in spikes. The leaves and twigs of the tea tree contain essential oil with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cultivation and Harvest: Tea tree plants are cultivated in subtropical regions worldwide for their essential oil. The leaves and twigs are harvested when mature and then steam distilled to extract the oil.

Plant Morphology: Tea tree plants have dense foliage and produce small, needle-like leaves with a strong, medicinal aroma. The flowers are small and arranged in terminal spikes, with numerous stamens.