Tea tree

[Guest guest]

Melaleuca Alternifolia is the name of the Australian tea tree. it is sold

locally in the form of oil, soap, shampoo etc

 

I reproduce below the full text with minor edition of an article which covers

the NZ tea tree. I realise that not all of this is relevant to aromatherapy but

I lack the knowledge to distinguish what is.

 

Leptospermum scoparium

Tea tree, red manuka Manuka, kahikatoa

 

Kunzea cricoides

Tree manuka, white manuka, Kanuka 1

 

BOTANICAL NOTES: Leptospermum scoparium is a shrub or small tree, abundant

throughout New Zealand. The Maori name 'kahikatoa' is very similar to

'kahikatea' (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides) and it is possible that some of the uses

have been assigned incorrectly. The name 'tea-plant' was given by Cook, who

remarked 'The leaves ... were used by many of us as tea, which has a very

agreeable bitter and [sic] flavour, when they are recent, but loses some of

both when they are dried. When the infusion was made strong, it proved emetic

to some in the same manner as green tea.' The name 'tea-tree' was given by

early settlers, who made'tea'from the leaves. (‘Ti-tree' is sometimes wrongly

used for this species; the name ti is properly applied to Cordyline spp.) Forms

of this very variable species with single or double flowers, and white, pink,

or red flowers, are popular shrubs in horticulture.

 

Kunzea ericoides, formerly Leptospermum ericoides, is separated from L

scoparium by its larger size, smaller leaves, flowers, and fruits, and is the

white-wooded manuka referred to in the following notes.

 

MEDICAL USE: The leaves were used in vapour baths. An infusion of this herb was

regarded as 'peculiarly serviceable to persons in a reduced state whose

previous moralities would not admit of the strictest investigation. It is very

astringent.' A decoction of leaves was taken for urinary and other internal

complaints and was also used as a febrifuge. The white gum was applied to

scalds and burns and given to sucklings and was also taken by adults to allay

coughing. An infusion of the bark was used internally and externally as a

sedative. A decoction of bark relieved diarrhoea and dysentery while a

decoction of barks of manuka and kowhai (Sophora sp.) mixed with wood ash and

dried was rubbed into the skin for various skin diseases. Sap drained from a

length of tree trunk was used as a blood and breath purifier.

 

Leaves were boiled with water and the vapour was inhaled for colds. Leaves and

bark were boiled and the decoction was applied for various pains such as stiff

back. Seed capsules were boiled and the fluid was applied externally to reduce

inflammation, e.g. in congestion of the chest. Young shoots were chewed and

swallowed for dysentery. The capsules were boiled and the liquid was taken for

attacks of diarrhoea. The capsules were also chewed for dysentery and a

poultice of pounded capsules was used to dry an open wound or running sore. Six

to eight manuka capsules were chewed every ten minutes until the pains of colic

subsided.

 

The fragrant white-wooded manuka was said by natives to be the 'toa' or 'male'

tree and the water in which its bark had been boiled was used as a medicine.

The water has also been used successfully for inflamed breasts. An infusion of

the barks of the kowhai (Sophora) and manuka trees was drunk for internal pains

and applied outwardly for pains in the back and side. The inner barks of manuka

and totara (Podocarpus) were boiled and the liquid was kept in a closed bottle

for a week. The liquid became sweetish and was used as a febrifuge. The

exudation from the tree, called pia, was collected for eating and was applied

to burns and scalds; it also allayed coughing and relieved costiveness in

children. The bark was used to treat mouth, throat, and eye troubles and the

inner bark was boiled and the liquid was used as a mouthwash and gargle. (See

also under Dysoxylum spectabile, Meliaceae.)

 

RELATED PHARMACOLOGY. The essential oils, of several species of Myrtaceae have

been found to have activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The seeds of a

Ieptospermum sp. (ericoides or scoparium) have been used in Hawaii for

diarrhoea. In Malaysia the leaves of Leptospermum flavescens have been made

into a refreshing tea and used for fever, lassitude, dysmenorrhoea, to

stimulate the appetite, and to relieve discomfort of the stomach. It has been

applied externally for obstruction of the bowels and 'in a mysterious disease'.

In the Moluccas the mountaineers distilled a little volatile aromatic oil from

the plant which they inhaled for bronchitis and used as an embrocation for

rheurnatism.

 

Melaleuca leucadendron has been used for healing wounds, rheumatisrn, stomach

complaints, and for toothache. It was also used by the natives of Groote

Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria when young boys had difficulty passing

urine. The penis was pricked with stiff fibres from the outer bark. [Ouch! -

Bruce] Steam distillation of Melaleuca cajuputi gives the cajuput oil of

commerce, which is used for a variety of complaints.

 

CHEMISTRY: Leptospermum scoparium contains leptospermone, which has

anthelmintic properties and is closely related to compounds with similar

medical properties in male fern. Leptospermone is an insecticide like valone,

which has a similar Constitution. Triterpene acids have been isolated from the

bark, which also contains ursolic acid acetate not previously found in nature.

The bark also contains ellagic acid and 0-methyl ethers of ellagic acid. Pia

(or rnanuka manna) is composed of MannitoI.

 

[it looks from the above that there is a family although not species

relationship between the NZ and Aus versions - Bruce]

 

Regards

 

Bruce

[Guest guest]

At 14:57 11-11-1999 , you wrote:

> " Lynn Bedri " <lbedri

>

>Hi Bruce,

>

>I'd be interested in knowing the difference between the two countries

>products.

>While in Australia a few years back I bought some Tea Tree oil that I've used

>through this time and its been very good. I'd like to know what

properties the

>New Zealand trees have that is different. Your country is also on my top 5

>list to be able to visit. Everything I've ever seen is sooooo lovely. I

>have a

>friend who lives up in Whangari (?), up near the Bay of Islands and I dream of

>being able to spend time there.

>

>Thank you for offering this information.

>

>Wishing you well in all ways,

>

>Lynn

>

Thanks for your note, Lynn. I'm posting separately the information I have

readily available.

 

Whangarei is the place you mean. About 2 hours drive from here in Auckland,

or about 15-20 hours sailing. The Bay of Islands is very famous and

justifiably so. I am an immigrant of 26 years from England, and I've never

been disappointed. So, if you put your dream into action, be sure to let me

know. I'll do what I can to point you in the right direction. Same goes of

course for anyone else on this list who wants to visit (I assume that

nearly all people who are interested in this kind of topic are pretty OK)

 

Regards

 

Bruce