Tea tree oil has been very popular for many years and has built up quite a reputation for itself and nowadays you can find all sorts of tea tree products in the stores. But few people have ever thought of growing it in their garden. It is a feathery leaved, evergreen tree that is tough, resilient and very water wise. It sends up masses of white bottle brush-like flowers in spring that attracts the bees. The tree itself grows to about 6 meters high and it will need full sun. It has high quantities of terpenes which is a gentle but extremely effective antiseptic.
Many people are familiar with tea oil and its uses but usually pause when thinking of a tree.
Teat tree has all the same uses as the oil but in lower concentrations so its makes it safer to use internally. A tea can be made of the fresh leaves and used for chronic infections such as colds, flu, glandular fever, cystitis and bronchitis. The tea and the essential oil is effective against all three infective organisms: bacteria, viruses and fungi and has been scientifically verified. The oil can be used for skin eruptions such as acne, eczema, ringworm and even chickenpox. It is advised to add some fresh leaves to your bathwater.
The active compounds in tea tree has also been shown to increase and stimulate the immune system which makes it a valuable plant to have in today’s world of antibiotic resistance.
