• Tea Tree
  • Tea Tree

Tea Tree

  • Scientific Name
    Melaleuca alternifolia
  • Family
    Myrtaceae
  • Origin
    Australiaetc.

CONTENTS

Plant description

Belonging to the Myrtaceae family, Tea Tree grows up to 7 meters high. Small white and yellow flowers can be seen, but are unique in shape with their radial petals unique to this family.  The leafs are small, thinly narrow shaped like a bamboo leaves, and highly consists of aromatic components.  Indigenous Australians believed in the medicinal power of its leaves and consumed as tea, but the name was actually given when a crew of an Australian explorer Captain Cook drank this tea and recovered from a disease. Having strong hold on life, it grows back instantly, enabling it to be harvested again shortly after culutivated. Tea tree has spread throughout Europe due to its sterilizing and disinfecting properties. It is still grown on large plantations in Australia.

Essential oil composition

Tea Tree

  • Tea Tree

  • INCI
    MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) LEAF OIL
  • Parts of Plant Used
    Leaf
  • Extraction Method
    Steam Distillation
  • Extraction Rate
    1.5%
  • Notes
    Top - Middle
  • Aroma Family
    Woody

Tea Tree Essential Oil Properties & Uses

Approximately 1.5% of Tea Tree essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from the leaves, and it is colorless to light yellow in color. Its primary constituent is Terpinen-4-ol. Renowned for its remarkable disinfectant properties, it finds common usage in room sprays, hair care products, and more. This essential oil boasts a sharp, cool, and invigorating scent, characterized by its clean, slightly medicinal impression and a refreshing forest-like quality. It is often said to have a camphor-like aroma. While Tea Tree's scent can be divisive, many appreciate its clean and fresh aroma, accompanied by a subtle sweetness. Tea Tree oil blends seamlessly with a variety of essential oils. However, when paired exclusively with green notes, its herbal essence intensifies. For a well-balanced blend, it is advisable to combine Tea Tree oil with a diverse range of essential oils, ensuring a harmonious and nuanced aromatic experience.

Essential oil composition

Essential oil composition

※An example of one batch production is shown here.

  • Terpinen-4-ol　40.05%
  • γ-Terpinene　20.15%
  • α-Terpinene　11.39%
  • Terpinolene　3.49%
  • 1,8-Cineole　3.23%
  • Terpineol　2.89%
  • α-Pinene　2.48%
  • p-Cymene　1.20%
  • Other components　15.12％

Functions and Efficacies

α-Pinene

α-Pinene
  • IUPAC Name
    (+)-α-Pinene: (1R,5R)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
    (-)-α-Pinene: (1S,5S)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    (+)-α-Pinene: 7785-70-8
    (-)-α-Pinene: 7785-26-4
  • Structure
    Bicyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of α-Pinene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Anti-bacterial Effects ○
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that brain tumors in mice that inhaled the fragrance of α-pinene became smaller. However, no melanoma cell growth was observed with the addition of α-pinene, indicating a potential psychological effect .1)

Anti-bacterial Effects

A study reported that α-pinene had an inhibitory effect on the growth of blue staining fungi, both when exposed to gas and when added to the culture medium2)

Anti-inflammatory Effects

It is known that the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells induces the production of nitric oxide (NO), a substance that causes inflammation. A study reported that the production of NO was suppressed by the addition of α-pinene.3)

  • 1)Kusuhara et al., Biomedical Research, 2012
  • 2)岡村、木材保存、
  • 3)Kwak et al., Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 2019

1,8-Cineole

1,8-Cineole
  • IUPAC Name
    1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane
  • Molecular Formula
    C15H26O
  • Molecular Weight
    154.25 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    470-82-6
  • Structure
    Monocyclic monoterpene ether

Functions and Efficacies of 1,8-Cineole

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○
Deodorizing Effects
Anti-malaria Effects ○

Anti-inflammatory Effects

A study reported that in mice with inflammation in the leg, swelling was concentration-dependently reduced in the 1,8-cineole-treated group.1)

Deodorizing Effects

A study reported that when common odorants like skatole and 3-methylbutanoic acid were stored in a sealed container with 1,8-cineole, the odorant components were significantly diminished.2)

Antimalarial Effects

A study reported that the addition of 1,8-cineole reduced the number of infected cells in malaria-infected erythrocytes. Furthermore, it was found to inhibit the intracellular growth of Plasmodium falciparum and mitigate the brain edema caused by the infection3)

  • 1)Yin et al., Br J Pharmacol., 2019
  • 2)Henmi et al., J. Japan Association on Odor Environment, 2020
  • 3)Santos et al., plos one, 2022

IFRA

Tea Tree：
No restrictions applied

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

References
Jennie Harding [Handbook of Essential Oil and Plant Oil] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2010.
Shinichiro Otsuki/Yukiko Ozaki [Scientific Name Etymology Dictionary of Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2009.
Jennie Harding [Illustrated Reference Book of Herbs] Sancho Publishing, 2012.
Freddy Ghozland/Xavier Fernandez [L’Herbier Parfume] Hara Publishing, 2013.
Kyohei Mikami [Comprehensive Guide to Essential Oils] Fragrance Journal, 2010.
Yuzuru Ogura [Dictionary of Plants] Tokyo-do Publishing, 1957.
Nobuo Ohashi [Dictionary of Medical Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2016.
Wanda Sellar [The directory of essential oils] Fragrance Journal, 1992.
Aroma Environment Association of Japan [AEAJ Aromatherapy Certification Official Textbook grade1&2] Sekaibunka, 1999.
Robert Tissearand [Essential Oil Safety] Fragrance Journal, 2018.
Ayako Berg [Aromatherapy Essential Oil Dictionary] Seibido Shuppan, 2022.
Azusa Annells [Enjoying Fragrance: An Illustrated Book of Aromas with Characteristics]Natsumesha CO.,LTD., 2023
(All written in or translated to Japanese.)
Supervisor
Yamamoto Perfumery co., ltd.

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