Tea tree oil (melaleuca alternifolia)

Tea tree oil (melaleuca alternifolia) Tea tree oil, like thyme oil is not an oil which is emotionally charged but instead an anti viral and antifungal workhorse.  This doesnt mean that a treatment doesnt have psychosocial effects.  All such treatments help alleviate the anxiety associated with undiagnosed symptoms or an infection in progress.  A little bottle could find a place in every kitchen cabinet and is one of the best selling essential oils for its effectiveness and relative safety for example in a gargle for a sore throat or helping tackle a nailbed fungal infection.  Tea tree oil will not eliminate such infections on its own but it will enhance the effectiveness of over the counter remedies and reduce the necessary exposure of the body to the synthetic chemicals in them.  The star constituent is terpinen-4-ol.  Like all oils it appears more effective as a whole oil rather than with only this constituent alone illustrating the principle of synergy among essential oil components.  Tea tree oil should be kept away from pets.  The aroma is fresh, earthy, woody, herbaceous.