The Tea Tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia ), native to Australia, belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It is a bushy, upright, evergreen tree that can grow up to seven metres tall and has small lanceolate leaves. Its fruits are small capsules containing elongated seeds and its five-petalled flowers are very fragrant.
This large shrub, which has nothing to do with the famous beverage despite its misleading name, was discovered by naturalists accompanying Cook on a voyage down the Endeavour River (1772-1775). They named it after the fact that they used it as a substitute for tea, finding it fragrant and invigorating.
Main aromatic molecules: Monoterpenols, including terpineol-4 and α terpineol, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, monoterpene oxide including 1,8-cineole or eucalyptol.
Family: Myrtaceae.
Producing organs: Leaves.
Yield: 1 kg of essential oil per 100 kg of leaves.
Equivalence: 1 ml → 34 drops (dosage calculated for a calibrated dropper European Pharmacopoeia).
