Tea tree

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

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Last updated on: 20.10.2021

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Synonym(s)

Melaleuca alternifolia; tea tree

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

The popular term "tea tree" refers to a series of 150 varieties of shrubs and trees belonging to the myrtle family. The name "tea tree" was coined by the English botanist Josef Banks, who accompanied Captain Cook on his voyages of discovery to Australia in 1770. As real tea was not available, the ship's crew brewed a substitute drink from the shrubs and trees growing there, hence the name "tea trees". The Australian tea tree is a tree that grows up to 7 m high with paper-like, white bark. The plant is exceptionally hardy and disease resistant.

Phytotherapeutically, the essential oil (Melaleucae aetheroleum - tea tree oil), which is extracted from leaves and branch tips by steam distillation, is used.

General informationThis section has been translated automatically.

Melaleuca alternifolia is, among other M. species, the parent plant of Melaleucae aetherolum the tea tree oil. Every 15-18 months, the leaves and branch tips are harvested and distilled over steam. A water-soluble, light yellow, oily substance, the essential oil (Melaleucae aetheroleum - tea tree oil), is released. This is increasingly used in naturopathic products and in complementary medicine. See below Tea tree oil.

OccurrenceThis section has been translated automatically.

Natural distribution areas include the coast of New South Wales in Australia and Tasmania. Cultivation on plantations since the mid 70s.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Hausen BM, Vieluf K (1997) Allergy plants, plant allergens. Ecomed Verlag, Landsberg/Munich, pp. 183-187.
  2. Koh et al (2002) Tea tree oil reduces histamine-induced skin inflammation. Br J Dermatol 147: 1212-1217
  3. Angerstein JH (1997) How tea tree oils heal. Midena, Munich
  4. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/melaleucae-aetheroleum
  5. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/index.php?en_pflanzen=124

Authors

Last updated on: 20.10.2021

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter AltmeyerProf. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles