What is Lavender Tea Tree?

The common name of Tea Tree is applied to many species of Leptospermum and Melaleuca that are plant groups (genera) within the gum tree (Eucalyptus family). The Lavender Tea Tree or Southern Rosalina has the botanic name Melaleuca ericifolia. The name Melaleuca comes from the ancient Greek melas, meaning dark and leukos, meaning white, because the first specimens seen had white paperbark type trunks that were singed with black from bushfires. Ericifolia means foliage that looks like that of an Erica bush.

The common name Lavender Tea Tree refers to the fact that the essential oil of this species has a distinct lavender note that goes with a more traditional eucalyptus like smell of the other components of the oil. The species is found along the Australian east coast but the Tasmanian populations have a distinctly different oil to the mainland forms, with a delightful fresh aroma.

This oil has a fresh, earthy, gentle lavender aroma and a mild Eucalyptus and Tea Tree scent. This oil can be used in a diffuser, oil burner or in the bath to release its relaxing, refreshing and calming aroma. This versatile oil can be used as a cleaning products in addition to the common use as an antiseptic for cuts and abrasions.