TEA TREE OIL

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

H.S. CODE

TOXICITY

Oral rat LD50 : 1900 mg/kg

CLASSIFICATION

EXTERNAL LINKS & GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The term "Tea Tree" includes species of the genus Leptospermum and Melaleuca, the latter covering more than 200 species (Byres 1986) of the family Myrtaceae. The most common and economically important member of this group is the Australian Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia (Maid. and Bet.) Cheel (syn. M. linariifolia var. alternifolia Maid. and Bet.). Its native habitat is restricted to the swamps and water-courses of the subtropical coastal region of New South Wales in Australia between 32° and 27°S, growing best in high-rainfall areas, or low rain-fall areas with irrigation. It is a small tree 5-7m, naturally forming impenetrable thickets, and being coppiced easily. As one travels from South to North of its natural habitat, so the leaf oil composition changes, being 1,8-cineole rich in the South, and high terpinen-4-ol, low 1,8-cineole in the North. Leaf oil content can range from 0.5 to 3.0%, but yield from traditional design waterdistillation is 1%, unless more modern still design is used. In the last few years the tree has also been successfully cultured in more diverse locations such as Zimbabwe, Kenya, Vietnam, India, Guatemala and China, among others. (http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/)

Tea tree oil is the essential oil steam distilled from the Australian native plant, Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil contains  over 100 components, the majority being monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and their alcohols. The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil have now been well documented, and there are susceptibility data on a wide range of bacteria. There is also considerable information identifying the components of tea tree oil active against bacteria and yeasts. Until recently there have only been anecdotal claims about tea tree oil¡¯s anti-inflammatory activity. The only specific report on anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil has been of an in vitro study published as an abstract in which the addition of tea tree oil to lipopolysaccharideprimed neutrophils inhibited superoxide release by approximately 85%. The concentration of tea tree oil used was 0.05% v/v.(http://www.burnaid.com/)

Tea Tree Oil is the essential oil extracted by the steam distillation of the foliage of the Melaleuca alternifolia (also known as punktree, paperbark-tree) belong to the family of Myrtaceae. Tea Tree Oil is a combination of more than 100 components, mostly monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and terpene alcohols. The major component for antimicrobial and antifungal activity is terpinen-4-ol (typically 30-40%). Tea Tree Oil has been used as a general antiseptic for thousands of years. It is being an ingredient in skin care,  health care, cosmetic and toiletry products due to its benefits of anti fungal, antiseptic, germicidal and anti-bacterial properties. It is also used as a natural cleaner, pharmaceuticals, veterinary and disinfectant in the household product.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

AUTOIGNITION

NFPA RARINGS

REFRACTIVE INDEX

57 C

Stable under ordinary conditions

APPLICATIONS

Antiseptic and Antifungal Products, Cosmetics, Household Products, Disinfectants Perfumery and Industrial uses.

5.0-10.0% or 4.0% max (pharmaceutical grade)

1.0 - 6.0%

5.0 - 13.0%

1.5 - 5.0%

7.0% max

8.0% max

10.0 - 28.0%

3.0% max

4.0% max

12.0% max

3.5% max

1.5% max

18kgs , 55kgs , 185kgs in Drum

FEMA NO.: 3902