The antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties of the Tea Tree Oil Melaleuca Alternifolia are legendary and have long been used in complimentary medicine in Australia. Unique to the country and native to northern New South Wales, the local Aborigine tribes were the first to discover this special tree and used the evergreen leaves to great effect.

Officially identified by the Chief Chemist in New South Wales as an antiseptic in the 1920's, the immigrants that came to the country soon discovered that this unique essential oil was more effective against bites, stings and infections than anything else they had in their medicine box. In fact, during World War II the Australian army commandeered all supplies of Tea Tree Oil to equip each soldier with a small bottle of 'the magic oil'.

Essentially still a 'cottage industry', it wasn't until the 1980's that New South Wales pioneered research into the cultivation of the Melaleuca Alternifolia. This researched lead to the first commercial plantation of trees in 1986, and now, together with many other large scale plantations, this area is able to cater for worldwide demand for this remarkable oil.

METIQUE uses Tea Tree Oil produced by Novasel Australia Pty Ltd - the only Australian company whose ongoing research is supported by the Australian Federal Research Organisation.

Safety and Efficacy

Tea Tree Oil is now one of the most studied essential oils in the world. Following calls for reports on its regulation, safety and efficacy the Australian Tea Tree Oil Industry Association and RIDC - Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation -worked closely together to Research and Develop the first comprehensive analysis dossier for Australian Tea Tree Oil completed in 2007. In summary they conclude:

Australian Tea Tree Oil is a safe and effective product.
Multiple studies have demonstrated the capacity for Tea Tree Oil to act as an antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory agent.