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tea tree (Eugenia?)

   Date: Tue, 17 Jun 1997 12:05:04 +0100
   From: Alessandra Vinciguerra <library@librs6k.vatlib.it>

Hi all.  I just joined this group a week or so ago and this is my first
post. 

   Second question: an English lady I met some time ago sang praises of a "Tea
   tree" oil, which she said is a wonderful, all-round ointement, useful to
   prevent cavities, to cure scratches and headaches, etc. She did not know
   what plant it was, though, and this "oil" is unknown in Italian market. I
   don't remember why I got the impression it could have been any of the
   Eugenias. Any information about it?

Tea Tree Oil is indeed a great oil.  I have some and it helps cuts heal
faster than antibiotic cream and it has anti-fungal properties as well.
Some people use tiny amounts internally.  Lots of chemically sensitive
folks use it as an alternative to toxic products.  But it is an essential
oil, which many chemically senstive people can't be near.

But, enough about the oil...here's the info on the tree:  It's Melaleuca
Alternifolia.  It is part of the Myrtaceae family which includes
Eucalyptus, BottleBrush (Callistemon), and Guava.  M. Alternifolia isn't
listed in my garden book, but came from the Tea Tree Oil bottle.  

Melaleuca is a set of evergreen trees and shrubs.  Most stand heat, wind,
poor soil, drought, and salt air.  They are native to Australia, which has
over 140 species.

Cyndi
_______________________________________________________________________________
Oakland, California            Zone 9 USDA; Zone 16 Sunset Western Garden Guide
Disabled, chemically sensitive, wheelchair user          Organic Gardening only
_______________________________________________________________________________
"There's nothing wrong with me.  Maybe there's                     Cyndi Norman
something wrong with the universe." (ST:TNG)                   cnorman@best.com
__________________________________________________ http://www.best.com/~cnorman
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