Tea tree oil is an essential oil, derived from the leaves of Tea tree, which is native to Southern Australia. It has many medicinal properties, such as antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal and antiviral. It has been used by native indigenous people in Australia for several decades, to treat various ailments such as cold, flu, cuts and wounds.
Tea tree oil is a pale yellow liquid, with a strong, typical camphor smell. It belongs to terpenoid group, containing about 38-40% terpinene-4-ol, as the major constituent. They are hydrophobic (meaning, it does not mix with water), and it requires a vehicle or solvent, to formulate an Aromatherapy product, such as a shampoo.
Tea tree oil has been classified by ISO standard 4730 ’2004′ as (oil of melaleuca – terpinene-4-ol), which defines existence of 15 ingredients, which are required to specify an oil as Tea tree oil.
Tea tree oil has an antibacterial property, and is used for topical applications, to treat certain dermatological problems. It is efficient against bacteria staphylococcus aurues.
It is effective against dandruffs and lices. Tea tree oil is used as an ingredient in preparing anti dandruff Aromatherapy shampoo.
Tea tree oil is extracted from Melaleuca Alternifolia plant, by steam distillation. The Tea tree leaves are crushed and charged into stainless steel still, equipped with steam sparger. Saturated steam is passed into the still, and the steam volatile Tea tree oil is evaporated and condensed, in a water cooled condenser. The oil water mixture is separated, and further distilled, to obtain high quality Tea tree oil.
Tea tree oil is used, as an essential oil in the formulation of Aromatherapy shampoo, which acts as a fragrant as well as anti-dandruff component.
Tea tree oils have been proven to be more effective than Chlrohexidine and Triclosan in removing MRSA from wounds. Significantly Tea Tree Oil has antibacterial property, it obviates the usage of preservatives in shampoo formulation. Recent studies have indicated that Tea tree oil is effective even for cancer treatment. Studies have shown that TTO formulation effectively inhibits growth of tumor in mice. Australia is a major exporter of Tea tree oil to many overseas countries for various applications.
