Introduction of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia Maiden & E. Betche ex Cheel)

Currently 97% of the country's commercial essential oils are produced from Melaleuca plantations in the north coast of New South Wales and Queensland's Atherton. Australia is also a country with a history of producing tea tree oil for more than 60 years, and has many researches on improving varieties for this plant. In addition, tea tree is also a species that can produce essential oils rich in 1.8-cineole, some plants even have a rate of 1.8-cineole 75% higher (Le Dinh Kha et al., 2011).

Tea tree oil is divided into 3 groups: Group 1 has low 1.8-cineole (3%) and high terpinen-4-ol (45.4%), group 2 has 1.8- medium cineole (30.3%) and medium terpinen-4-ol (18%), group 3 had high 1.8-cineole (64.1%) and low terpinen-4-ol (1.7%) (Wiliams and Home, 1989).

Some of the biological effects of tea tree oil (rich in terpinen-4-ol) are:

- Antibacterial and antifungal effect

The antibacterial effect is the most notable effect of tea tree oil. Some of the chemical ingredients in essential oils such as linalool, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, α-terpinene, terpinolene and 1,8-cineole also inhibit the growth of many microorganisms such as Candida albicans. , Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.06-0.50%) (Carson et al. 1995).

Tea tree oil has been shown to inhibit the growth of fungi and inhibit spore formation. Accordingly, tea tree oil has anti-Candida albicans, yeasts and fungi effects on the skin.

Due to its strong antibacterial, antifungal and non-harmful effects, tea tree oil is used in many areas of life such as mouthwash, skin cosmetics, perfumes, shampoos, soaps, creams. brush your teeth, etc. (Brophy et al, 2013). In addition, tea tree oil is used directly to treat warts, fungal skin pigmentation, etc.

- Antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect

Tea tree oil is resistant to tobacco mosaic virus, Herpes simplex virus (HSV). The effect of tea tree oil on HSV was reported by Schnitzler et al. (2001) studied by incubating viruses with different concentrations of essential oils and using these treated viruses to infect cells. In addition, tea tree oil also exhibited the strongest antiviral activity on free viruses, completely inhibiting plaque formation with 1% of the essential oil and reducing plaque formation by about 10% with 0.1. % essential oils (Minami et al. 2003).

The effect of treating some skin diseases
Tea tree oil is a very effective remedy for common skin diseases (figure 1.1) such as acne, pimples, eczema; skin infections such as herpes, wounds, warts, burns, insect bites and nail fungal diseases, fungal foot diseases, sweating feet, boils, onychomycosis (Carson et al., 1994; Tong et al. 1992).

The biological effects of tea tree oil are very diverse, in addition to being used as a multi-effect medicine, some tea tree essential oils also contain aromatic substances such as nerolidol, linalool, etc., so tea tree oil is also used. as an ingredient in many cosmetics and bath oils, shampoos, etc., is the most widely used essential oil in the world.

How to use tea tree oil in life:

When bitten by insects, ants, and shingles: 1-2 drops of essential oil are mildly anointed on the bite. Use 4 times / day.
Prevent mosquito, insect bites, add 1 drop of essential oil to massage evenly
Weather change: small 2-3 drops of essential oil and rub it evenly on the nose, temples, soles of the feet to prevent colds, wind cough, stomach pain.
Mix 2 drops of essential oil in 200ml of warm water, rinse your mouth to avoid bad breath and gingivitis.
Put 3-4 drops in a tub of relaxing bath water. Especially used for babies.
Use instead of cleaning water to clean the house by placing 5 drops of essential oil in a water bath. You will have a home with a cool scent.