| Think of tea and your first thoughts might be iced or | | | | asked! The Australian Tea Tree Industry Association |
| Darjeeling. But when talking about tea tree oil, this tea | | | | (ATTIA) represents the interests of the Australiang |
| product isn't for drinking - it's one of the world's best | | | | growers, oil processors, oil exporters and product |
| ingredients found in natural skin care products! | | | | manufacturers. ATTIA's website notes that tea tree oil |
| Tea beverages (green, red, white, black, Oolong ) | | | | is widely used for both medicinal and cosmetic |
| come from the Asian Camellia Sinensis tea plant, and | | | | purposes. Characteristics of tea tree oil when used |
| are oxidized (dried) or fermented (an enzyme | | | | topically can include: |
| oxidation process) producing different flavors and teas | | | | - Heals cuts, burns, acne and psoriasis |
| depending on the oxidation duration. And herbal teas | | | | - Controls body odor, oily skin, athlete's foot and rashes |
| come from herb and spice plants including leaves, | | | | - Sooths sunburn, poison ivy, insect bites and bee |
| flowers, roots, bark, seeds and stems. | | | | stings |
| Tea tree oil comes from the Melaleuca alternifolia - | | | | - Reduces infection and inflammation |
| native to Australia. The leaves and twigs are | | | | - Effective against lice, mites, scabies |
| harvested, chopped up and placed in a steam | | | | - Has recognized antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal |
| distillation still. The distilling process saturates the leaves | | | | and anti-viral properties. |
| and twigs with steam, cooking the mixture for about | | | | Wow - now that's some good stuff! Knowing that |
| two hours reaching a temperature of 212 degrees | | | | amazing oil has all these characteristics, it's no wonder |
| Fahrenheit. It's then rapidly cooled in a condenser | | | | you'll find it in many soaps, shampoos and topical |
| causing the essences to undergo slight chemical | | | | medicines. Tea tree oil is also widely accepted and |
| changes and condensation, resulting in an oil and water | | | | used by most natural aromatherapists. So when your |
| mix. The water is removed leaving 100% tea tree | | | | soap or lotion contains this essential oil, you can bet it's |
| essential oil. | | | | going to make for one of the best body care products |
| And what are the benefits of tea tree oil? Glad you | | | | available. |