Tea Tree (or Melaleuca) essential oil possesses over 92 different compounds and, as such, possesses almost endless ways it can be used for wellness. But what is Tea Tree oil? It comes from the Melaleuca plant which hails from Australia, where it was a daily necessity for the ancient peoples there. The Bundjalung Aboriginal people from the coast of New South Wales would apply the leaves directly to the skin for a cooling effect. Over time, the knowledge of Melaleuca’s numerous benefits spread worldwide, leading up to it's popular use today.

Tea Tree Oil Uses and Benefits

1. One common use of Tea Tree oil is for haircare. Many people use Tea Tree oil for hair because of its topical cleansing, rejuvenating, and purifying properties. Unlike chemical-ridden haircare products, Melaleuca essential oil offers a soft, gentle element to any haircare routine. 
   
   
2.  Over time, your makeup brushes get covered in old makeup and dead skin cells. If you don’t want to be spreading that all over your face, you’ll need to give your brushes a good cleaning every once in a while. With just three simple ingredients, including Tea Tree oil, you can concoct a purifying makeup brush cleanser that will get rid of built-up gunk—restoring your makeup brushes to their former glory.
   
   
3. Diffusing Tea Tree oil benefits the air in your home as it has the ability to purify and freshen as it disperses. When diffusing Melaleuca oil on its own, use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice. Looking for a revitalizing diffuser blend that will freshen and purify any room? Add two drops of Lemon, two drops of Eucalyptus, one drop of Melaleuca, and one drop of Peppermint to your diffuser for a rejuvenating diffuser bend that will cleanse the air and awaken your senses. 
   
   
4. One of the best Tea Tree oil uses as a skin cleanser and toner was first discovered by the ancient Aboriginal peoples of Australia. Today many people continue to use Tea Tree oil for skin because of these purifying and toning properties. Consider adding one to two drops of Tea Tree oil to your facial cleanser or moisturizer for added cleansing properties. Making Tea Tree oil a part of your daily skin routine will help keep your skin clean, toned, with a healthy appearance.
   
   
5. Tea Tree oil can also be used to help soothe occasional skin irritations. When you experience occasional skin irritations, apply one to two drops of Tea Tree oil onto the affected area, using doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil to dilute the oil if necessary. The skin cleansing properties of Tea Tree oil reach further than just helping with the occasional skin irritation, however.
   
   
6. The same purifying properties in Tea Tree oil can also be very helpful for cleaning purposes—especially throughout the home. Melaleuca oil is a good choice for homemade cleaners due to its ability to protect against environmental and seasonal threats. If you want an effective homemade cleaner, add a few drops of Tea Tree oil to a spray bottle with water and use on surfaces throughout the house. This mixture will help protect you and your family against environmental threats, and purify all your surfaces with an herbaceous, green scent.
   
   
7. The purifying properties of Tea Tree oil aren’t just good for hair and skin, you can also use Melaleuca oil to keep your fingernails and toenails looking and feeling healthy. Reap the benefits of Tea Tree oil for nails by applying some oil to your fingernails and toenails after you get out of the shower. When using Tea Tree oil topically, first dilute with doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil to prevent against any skin sensitivity, and then apply a few drops to your skin.  

Plant Description
With roughly 250 species, Melaleuca is most typically found in Australia. Melaleuca oil, or Tea Tree oil, is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca shrubs or trees, which have a strong aroma when rubbed. Melaleuca essential oil is produced through the process of steam distillation where steam and pressure are used to release chemical components from the plant—pulling out the essential oil.

Fun Fact: Bungwalbin Creek in Australia is surrounded by Australian tea trees and is held sacred by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As the sticky tea tree oil leaves fell into the creek, they created waters that natives still consider “magical waters” today. 

Chemistry of Tea Tree Oil
Main Chemical Components: Terpinen-4-ol, y-terpinene
 
The chemical makeup of Tea Tree oil proves why the oil is so useful topically for cleansing and aromatically for uplifting purposes. The main chemical constituents of Melaleuca are terpinen-4-ol, gamma-terpinene, and alpha-terpinene. Terpinen-4-ol is a monoterpenoid alcohol, and gives Tea Tree oil its toning or harmonizing aromatic characteristics. Gamma-terpinene and alpha-terpinene are monoterpenes, which are known to be uplifting when diffused.

 Research
Melaleuca (tea tree) is one of the most popular essential oils—and for good reason. It has myriad uses for skin care and in supporting various body systems. While Melaleuca has been used for centuries in Australia, little is understood about its biological activity. However, that is changing due to the work of doTERRA scientists. doTERRA scientists recently published a study in the journal Cogent Biology regarding Melaleuca oil in human skin cells.

What makes doTERRA’s research so novel and unique? First, it is one of the very few studies testing the impact of Melaleuca oil on human skin cells. This means the study is relevant to how Melaleuca is most commonly used: topically on human skin. Second, this is believed to be the first study ever to test the impact of Melaleuca on human global gene expression. In other words, this study is one of the first to truly examine the impact of Melaleuca on the ongoing processes occurring within human cells.

Imagine the human cell like a factory with various workers, most of which are proteins, that ensure its proper function. The levels of these proteins can often reflect how the cell is functioning. Genes are the building blocks of cells and are essential for the creation of proteins. To learn how Melaleuca affects the processes and functions of human cells, doTERRA scientists measured the impact of Melaleuca on the levels of cellular proteins and the expression of different genes.

So what does this mean? In short, the study shows that Melaleuca robustly impacts our genes and the proteins that are part of our cellular makeup. The findings suggest that Melaleuca impacts various processes and functions in human cells, including tissue remodeling and metabolism. The potential for future research and models of use is exciting.

Though research is needed before further methods of use can be recommended, led by the staff of scientific experts at doTERRA, more research on the clinical efficacy and safety of Melaleuca will be unfolding. doTERRA is pleased to be at the forefront of essential oil research in discovering more ways to use these gifts of the Earth.

Essential Oil Spotlight

More commonly known as “Tea Tree,” Melaleuca essential oil has over 92 different compounds and limitless applications. The leaves of the Melaleuca tree have been used by the Aboriginal peoples of Australia for centuries. They would apply crushed leaves directly to the skin for a cooling effect.

Melaleuca is best known for its purifying properties. It can be used to cleanse and purify the skin and nails and to support a healthy complexion. Taken internally, Melaleuca promotes healthy immune function.*

​Melaleuca is frequently used on occasional skin irritations to soothe the skin and diffusing Melaleuca will help purify and freshen the air.

USES
• For occasional skin irritations, apply 1–2 drops of Melaleuca essential oil onto affected area.
• Add 1–2 drops to water, citrus drinks, or veggie caps to support healthy immune system function.*
• Combine 1–2 drops with your facial cleanser for added cleansing properties, or apply to skin after shaving.
• Apply to fingernails and toenails after showering to purify and keep nails looking healthy
• Add a few drops to a spray bottle with water and use on surfaces as a cleansing and purifying agent.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of choice.Internal use: Dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid.
Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with a carrier oil to minimize any skin sensitivity. See additional precautions below.

CAUTIONS
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.

• Renowned for its cleansing and rejuvenating effect on the skin
• Promotes healthy immune function when used internally*
• Ingest to protect against environmental and seasonal threats*
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Let us know about your experiences with this oil in the comments below.