|
Aqua Oleum Tea Tree Essential Oil 10ml
Indigenous to New South Wales in Australia, the therapeutic properties of Tea
tree oil specifically the M. Alternifolia variety are well known. The
tree is somewhat similar to
M. Linarifolia but is distinct according to its botanical
classification. The constituents of the oil produced from this variety are also
different. Tea tree follows water courses and thrives in swampy terrain which
makes machine harvesting very difficult. Although the majority of production is
still carried out manually from wild trees, there are attempts to set up
advanced man made plantations where mechanical harvesting can take place. The
tree naturally occurs in an area stretching between the southern limit of Stroud
through to the southern rivers of South Queensland.
The essential oil is obtained by steam-distillation of the branches and
leaves. On average, it takes about one tonne of branches and leaves to make 6 -
10 kg of essential oil. The trees are cut to within 2 metres of the ground, and
the leaves and branches are separated from the limbs. Usually the new growth,
ratoon, takes between 18 months to two years before it can be harvested.
The yield of oil is lower in winter months than in summer, November being the
first month of their summer and June the first month of winter. In summer months
Tea tree can be subjected to bush fires which have been known to obliterate the
crop and in winter heavy rains make harvesting even more difficult than usual.
Tea tree Oil quality can usually be identified by its unpleasant odour. A
sweet smelling Tea tree has usually been adulterated with cineol, the main
constituent of Eucalyptus oil, which is also produced locally. A good quality
Tea tree Oil should have a maximum cineol content of 5.0% and a minimum
Terpinen-4-ol content of 35% - 40%. We buy to tighter specifications than the
Australian standard for Tea tree Oil (AS2782-1985) which requires a maximum
cineol content of 15% and a minimum terpinen-4-ol of 30%. For storage purposes
Tea tree should be treated like a Citrus oil as it is prone to oxidation upon
exposure of air. When this occurs the gamma-terpinene content decreases and the
para-cymene content increases. The terpinen-4-ol content is also reduced but not
as drastically. Indications are highlighted in the following example:
Tea Tree Oil
|
|
Principal constituents by % |
Condition of oil |
| Fresh |
Aged |
|
alpha-pinene |
2.5
|
2.0
|
|
alpha-terpinene |
9.1
|
1.3
|
|
para-cymene |
3.9
|
38.7
|
|
1,8-cineol |
4.3
|
5.5
|
|
gamma-terpinene |
24.6
|
2.4
|
|
terpinolene |
4.1
|
0.5
|
|
terpinen-4-ol |
42.1
|
24.8
|
|
alpha-terpineol |
2.3
|
8.7
|
|
para-menthan-1,2,4-triol |
-
|
crystals deposited
|
Terpinen-4-ol, the active antimicrobial constituent, crystallises on
overexposure to air.
M. Alternifolia was once described as a variety of M. Linarifolia
before being raised to specific rank by Cheel, while the Linarifolia
variety was classified by Smith. Both varieties are still cultivated and are
unfortunately sold under the Alternifolia name. We have differentiated
between the two as there is an inverse alpha-thujene / alpha-Pinene ratio.
Otherwise the constituents are quite alike.
Modern-day production does not meet demand and in the long term Tea tree Oil
will continue to increase in price. The largest consumers, the USA, have already
developed a virgin crop in California but it could be many years before they are
in a position to use the trees for commercial cultivation of oil. The rapid
development of aromatherapy has highlighted the value of Tea tree Oil to such an
extent that even the medical profession is becoming interested. It is only a
matter of time before it will become a very expensive oil.
Back to Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
| 
Drinks,
Natural Cleaning Products,
Therapy and much, much more.
SPECIAL OFFER PAGE
