Herb. No. 159 · Myrtaceae
Coastal New South Wales wetland myrtle. Paperbark of the tea-tree oil industry.
Native · Oceania
Native Also grown
LegalCautionplant
Tea tree
Melaleuca alternifolia
Medicinal herbsHarvestLookalikes
Paperbark of New South Wales — a topical oil plant, famously not the tea camellia, and not a beverage.
Tea tree is an Australian wetland myrtle. Cook’s crew brewed a leaf and named it; the brew was not a success as tea. The steam-distilled oil is a modern topical for fungal skin and minor cuts. Swallowing the oil sends people to poison control. This plate is a labeled topical. Do not mug it.
Flavor
Not a flavor. Medicinal, cineole, nutmeg-solvent. Keep it off the tongue.
Parts used
Leaf (distilled oil, topical)
Helpful
- A real topical tradition
- A handsome paperbark in the right climate
Cautions
- Oil is toxic swallowed
- Sensitizing if overused
- Not Camellia tea