Organic tea tree essential oil- essential for your first aid kit this winter

Tea trees (Bulam as they are called by the Bundjalung people) naturally grow in the northern part of the east coast of Australia, especially Bundjalung country- northern NSW and southern Queensland. As an essential, oil my guess is that everyone has heard of tea tree essential oil, and it is as well known as eucalyptus and lavender essential oil. 

Tea tree essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree which is one of the trees commonly referred to as paperbark that flourish in swampy areas. It is definitely a strong medicinal smelling essential oil and is probably not the first you would reach for to put in your diffuser. I am also guilty of that, but this winter I suggest going for tea tree.

Essential oils in general are well known for their antimicrobial qualities but tea tree is one of the most antibacterial essential oils which is why it is well suited to your winter regime. 

Australian aboriginals are very familiar with the medicinal and antiseptic qualities of tea tree. It has been a large part of their wound care and remedies for respiratory conditions. To help protect them from colds they would crush the leaves to inhale the essential oil. Another way was taking rocks from the fire and placing them in water with the tea tree leaves to produce steam to be inhaled to soothe respiratory conditions. For irritated skin conditions and wounds, the leaves are also incorporated into tea or added to mud to create a poultice or also made into a paste together with the bark for inflammation or pain and placed onto the body. 

In Australian aboriginal culture (in the Bundjalung nation), tea trees themselves are very important. Water bodies surrounded by tea trees are often important for 'women's business' and were used after birth, such lakes are important and sacred birthing places and that would be because of the antibacterial properties that water would be infused with from the trees. Tea tree bark was also used for many things such as wound dressings, food wrapping and bedding and temporary shelter. 

Tea trees are called as such because early Australian white settlers brewed its leaves as a spicy tea. 

Tea tree essential oil was first distilled in Australia in the 1900s. This came to be important business in Australia after the scientist Dr Penfold found tea tree to be 12 times stronger than the 'antibiotics' of the time, thus the Australian government put money into developing and exporting the oil. 

Reportedly, tea tree essential oil was directly applied to the wounds of servicemen in WW2 and those who were involved in producing tea tree essential oil did not have to serve in the military, that's how important the Australian government then saw tea tree essential oil as an export. 

The oil yield from tea tree is quite high around 5-7% making it a very economic essential oil to distill. 

Although due to modern medicine and the development of synthetic antibiotics,, made the harvesting and distilling of tea tree less important, it is still very important and has been well researched. 

Tea tree has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. 

Tea tree essential oil helps to eradicate harmful bacteria and also prevents the recurrence of infection.  It is very useful for those with chronic health issues and can help instill confidence and strength.

Tea tree essential oil is very effective for respiratory issues, coughs and colds, strengthening the immune system, wound cleaning, cold sores (herpes virus), urinary infections, vaginal infections, gum infections, acne, skin infections, psoriasis, dandruff, shingles and is also effective against staph infections including MRSA.

As an antibacterial for the respiratory system- use in a diffuser for coughs and colds, sinus or ear infections.  For sore throats- gargle with salt water and 1 drop of tea tree oil. For an ear infection, apply to organic cotton wool and place inside the ear, the tea tree can be diluted into a carrier oil such as organic sunflower oil, jojoba and such and can also be massaged around the outside of the ear. For sinus infections, get a bowl of hot water and place 2 drops of tea tree essential oil into the bowl and cover your head with a towel and breathe deeply. Putting a couple of drops onto the floor of the shower under the stream of hot water is also effective at clearing the sinuses.

As an antifungal- tea tree essential oil can be used in yeast infections (candida infections). For such treatment 0.5% organic tea tree essential oil in a carrier such as organic aloe vera gel applied onto a tampon works well. 

For oral candida infections- a mouth wash or gargle with 1 drop tea tree can be used. 

For nail infections- a compress (organic cotton wool) dipped into water with 10% tea tree can be used. Higher concentrations could be used but only applied to the nail not to the skin. 

For removing head lice and head lice eggs- 1 drop of tea tree essential oil (can also be combined with 1 drop Eucalyptus radiata essential oil) in 5ml of sesame or jojoba or castor oil (or another carrier) and combed through hair. Tea tree essential oil can also be added to shampoo and conditioner. A spray can also be made with water and sprayed onto hair as a preventative. 

For dandruff- add 1 drop tea tree essential oil to a small amount of shampoo and conditioner. You can also add I drop tea tree added to a vinegar rinse (25% apple cider vinegar 75% water). 

For wound cleaning- add tea tree to water, 1-5% water solution (1 drop to 1 tsp is 1%) and washing the wound or apply a compress (organic cotton wool) with the tea tree solution. 

For acne or any skin inflammations-apply 1-5% tea tree essential oil in organic aloe vera gel to lesions or a compress (tea tree drops in water applied to organic cotton wool). 

For gum inflammation- use 1 drop tea tree in a gargle or mouth wash, a salt water solution works well.

For more energetic applications tea tree essential oil is useful for divine guidance, self observation, and to see other perspectives. It can also help with patience, understanding, confidence, and in cases of shock. Tea tree opens the heart chakra and allows us to feel the fullness of our emotions. it also allows us to let go of toxic emotions. For energetic purposes, diffusion works best or applied in a body oil or rollon. 

This content has been written by a human after reading the below sources :)

References

Atterby, D, (2021) Australian Essential Oil Profiles. AAT Publishing.

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Buckle, J, (2003) Clinical Aromatherapy. 2nd edition. Churchill Livingstone

Bugarcic, A, et al (2025) Australian Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil: An updates review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Phytomedicine Plus Volume 5, Issue 3, August 2025, 100846 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667031325001174

Butler, K., & McIlwraith, P. (2023). Garihma (to Care for): Examining Recent Media Coverage of Bulam (Tea Tree) through a Cultural Lens. M/C Journal, 26(4). https://journal.media-culture.org.au/index.php/mcjournal/article/view/2982

Carson, CF, et al (2006) Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: A review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical Microbiology review. Jan, 19(1) 50-62 

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Sutton, P (2022) Aboriginal Uses of Australian Herbs: Exploring traditional knowledge, medicinal practices, and their role in modern applications. Australian Herbal Insight. https://publishing.emanresearch.org/CurrentIssuePDF/EmanPublisher_3_5772ahi-519944.pdf

Web, S. Melaleuca Paperbark or Tea Tree. https://www.revivethenorthernrivers.com/stories/melaleuca-paperbark-or-tea-tree 

Zeck, R (2018) The Blossoming Heart. Aroma Tours, Ballarat