An herb entry from the Ancient Herbs and Modern Herbs book by James K. Sayre, Copyright, 2001. All rights reserved.

Tea Tree, Weeping - Melaleuca leucadendra - family: Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family).

This is an evergreen tree that grows to about one hundred feet high. It has a papery bark. It has oval-shaped pale green leaves and produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and summer. The flowers are followed by woody capsules which contain its seeds. Aborigines of Australia used a tea of Melaleuca leaves as a treatment for colds and general sickness. The Tea Tree oil is made from a distillation of the tree's leaves. Essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Note: do not take leaves internally, due to potential toxicity. Note: avoid ingesting tea tree oil as it can be quite toxic. Native to Australia. Cultivated as an ornamental in North America.

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Web page last updated on 25 May 2003.