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Common Types of Tea Trees
There are several types of tea trees, each with its own unique characteristics, and they include the following:
| Latin Name | Common Name | Unique Characteristics | Common Growing Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camellia sinensis | Thea sinensis | Source of tea leaves for tea production | Asia, Africa, South America |
| Melaleuca linariifolia | Flax-leaved paperbark | Often used for landscape due to its ornamental value | Eastern Australia |
| Melaleuca cajuputi | Cajuput tree | Produces cajuput oil used in traditional medicine | Southeast Asia, Australia |
| Melaleuca leucadendra | Punk tree | Wood used for making musical instruments and traditional medicine | Australia, Southeast Asia |
| Leptospermum scoparium | New Zealand tea tree | Ornamental shrub with small white flowers | New Zealand, Australia |
| Leptospermum lanigerum | Snow-in-summer tea tree | Ornamental shrub with snow-like flowers | Australia, New Zealand |
| Leptospermum petersonii | Lemon-scented tea tree | Source of lemon-scented essential oil | Australia |
| Leptospermum ericoides | Manuka tree | Source of manuka honey with medicinal properties | New Zealand, Australia |
| Kunzea ericoides | White tea-tree | Ornamental shrub with white flowers | Australia |
| Taxandria parviceps | Fine tea tree | Has pleasant aromatic foliage and masses of small white flowers | West coast of West Australia |
| Lycium europaeum | European teatree | Ornamental shrub with red berries | Europe, Asia |
| Lycium barbarum | Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree | Source of goji berries with nutritional benefits | Asia, Europe, North America |
| Melaleuca quinquenervia | Broad-leaved paperbark | Source of paperbark used in traditional medicine | Australia, New Guinea |
| Melaleuca alternifolia | Narrow-leaved paperbark | Source of paperbark used in traditional medicine | Australia, New Guinea |
| Leptospermum madidum | Weeping tea tree | Ornamental shrub with weeping habit | Australia |
| Leptospermum polygalifolium | Yellow tea tree | Ornamental shrub with small white flowers | Australia |
| Leptospermum laevigatum | Coast tea tree | Coastal shrub with small white flowers | New Zealand, Australia |
Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil
Jessica Toscano is the founder and editor-in-chief of IntrigueMag, which covers health, fitness, sex, relationships, and more. In addition to Health, she's a contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, SELF, SHAPE Magazine, SheKnows, and InsideHook, among others.
Susan Bard, MD, is a board-certified general and procedural dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery.
Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil that is made from tea tree leaves (Melaleuca alternifolia), which are native to the swampy southeast coast of Australia.
Tea tree oil has both antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, allowing it to aid in the treatment of common skin and scalp conditions like acne, dandruff, and inflammation. Tea tree oil can often be found as an ingredient in self-care products that target the skin and hair.
Due to its antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil is also often included in topical ointments that treat common fungal and bacterial infections. Some studies have also indicated tea tree oil in the treatment of respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma, although this use is less common.
Along with having many benefits, tea tree oil also has several ways of application, as well as a few risks and side effects to know.
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Melaleuca leucadendra has distinctive papery bark and aromatic leaves
(Punk tree)
Melaleuca leucadendra, commonly known as the punk tree, is a species of tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. It is native to Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The punk tree is known for its distinctive papery bark, aromatic leaves, and its various traditional and modern uses.
It is a tall, evergreen tree that can reach heights of up to 30 meters. It has a characteristic white to creamy-gray, spongy bark that peels off in thin layers, giving it a unique appearance.
The leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, and release a pleasant, camphor-like fragrance when crushed. The tree produces small, white, bottlebrush-like flowers that are attractive to bees and other pollinators.
It is naturally found in swampy or marshy areas, and it is well adapted to wet soils and periodic flooding. It has been widely planted in reforestation and land reclamation projects due to its ability to thrive in waterlogged conditions and its potential for stabilizing soil in wetland areas.
In modern times, Melaleuca leucadendra is valued for its essential oil, which is popular in aromatherapy and natural medicine.
The oil is believed to have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, and it is used in a variety of topical and aromatic applications. The wood of the punk tree is also used in woodworking and for making paper and pulp.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil in Your Skin-Care Routine
You can use tea tree oil as a natural treatment for nail fungus or athlete’s foot, says Holman, though it will not be as effective as a prescription product. There’s some in vitro research that shows tea tree oil inhibits the growth of fungus in onychomycosis, [ 5 ] the name for the fungal infection of fingernails and toenails that causes thick, discolored, distorted, and even smelly nails. [ 6 ] That said, more research is needed to evaluate it. If the condition is not resolving or is getting worse, seek your doctor’s advice.
If you are using tea tree oil to treat a nail fungal infection, dilute it in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. (Aim for a ratio of two to three drops of tea tree oil to 15 to 20 drops of carrier oil.) “For nail fungus, use a stronger concentration of tea tree oil than you would on the skin of your face,” says Holman.
Tea tree oil may also promote a healthy scalp. “It’s a great ingredient for clarifying hair, so it’s helpful for conditions like seborrheic dermatitis (a variation of dandruff) and scalp folliculitis, as well as general itchiness of the scalp,” says Holman. (“Clarifying” means that a product can help remove product buildup and oil from the scalp.) Look for tea tree–based shampoos or scalp treatments and use these two or three times per week, she recommends. When included in the formula of antidandruff products, research suggests that tea tree oil’s antimicrobial properties may be effective in keeping flakes at bay. [ 7 ]
Is Tea Tree Oil Safe?
When used as intended, tea tree oil is generally considered to be safe.
Some research has suggested tea tree oil may disrupt endocrine functions in children and lead to adverse health effects like gynecomastia (an increase in breast tissue in males). However, there is currently no substantial evidence to support this claim.
Additionally, little is known about how the use of tea tree oil can affect people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Due to a lack of research, it is best to avoid tea tree oil if you fall into either category.
The National Capital Poison Control Center expresses caution when using tea tree oil as directed and strongly urges against its oral consumption, even in the use of dental care, to avoid toxicity concerns if accidentally swallowed.
What to Look For
When shopping for essential oils, you want to be sure you are purchasing a high-quality natural oil and not a synthetic oil, which is supplemented with artificial components. Synthetic oils often mimic the scents of essential oils, but rarely, if at all, offer the same benefits.
To ensure your oil is natural, scan the bottle for the oil’s botanical name. In the case of tea tree oil, look for the name Melaleuca alternifolia.
Next, look at the bottle itself. Light, heat, oxidation, and moisture can all compromise the quality of the oil and alter its composition. For these reasons, manufacturers tend to bottle essential oils in dark containers with tightly sealed caps.
