Question for our Aussie friends

Tballetta

Tballetta

Joined
Jul 22, 2006
Messages
373
I live in South East Florida and we have an enormous population of Mellalucca trees(sp). I know thet are native to Australia and am wondering what if any use they can be.

They grow here like weeds and were introduced at one time to help dry out the land. They have done such a good job of it that now they are on the Must be removed list as an un-welcome foreign species.

I have alot of them on my property and have begun cutting them down. Somehow it just seems like a waste to but them in the disposal pile on the curb.

What can I use them for?

Thanks
 
There is a company that sells the oil. Supposed to be a good disenfectant.
 
Melaleuca trees have dozens (if not hundreds) of different species. The most common are the "paperbark" and "tea tree" varieties, although the differing climatic regions dictate which species is the dominant.

"Tea Tree", (melaleuca alternifolia) is a valuable source of a sweet smelling essential oil that is anti bacterial and anti fungal when applied externally, and it works on both humans and animals with no side effects. A bunch of the foliage, crushed up by hand and rubbed on the skin will ease the itch of mosquito and sandfly bites.

There are commercial tea tree plantations on Australia's central East coast that harvest and distill the tea tree for it's oil.

Tea Tree soap is popular in Australia both for it's anti bacterial quality and sweet smell.

A tablespoon of tea tree oil in a dog bath will prevent flea infestation, and will cure skin infections caused by flea bites on dogs. Never tried it on a cat, the cat might object to being dunked in a bathtub, with or without tea tree oil!

Australian aborigines used the paperbark as bandages, to make shelters, to line baskets and spread out for a bed.

Most melaleucas are mildly toxic if eaten by humans, and should not be used for internal medicinal use or used as firewood when food is being cooked on the fire.

Melaleucas are a particularly welcome sight in desert country if you are looking for water, as they usually indicate that a water source is close by. Not sure if that is very helpful in Florida however.:)
 
Thanks Blue. We havr the paper bark version here. I noticed while cutting them that my eyes begin to itch and become irritated. Must be the toxic nature of the tree as you mentioned.
 
I do not think they are toxic, they are a new age, naturepath type tree.
If you throw Gasoline on them and light them up they will smell nice and keep the Mossies away while you BBQ your Steaks.:D
 
Danno, with respect, both Melaleuca and tea tree oil have possible toxic effects in humans if swallowed.
If anyone is determined to eat melaleuca leaves or ingest tea tree oil, for any reason, please see your doctor before you do either.
Unless a person has an unusual skin reaction, there is no problem using tea tree oil on the skin, it can be very beneficial.
 
Good info Bluey.

Just going through my first aid kit, I noticed that Melalueca oil is the active ingredient in BurnAid burn gel. Good for use on minor burns, not to be used if the burn is severe though.

I must say though, when it comes to treatment of stuff like minor burns, sunburn, little bites, cuts and scratches etc., I always go for Savlon. It seems to work better than melalueca or aloe vera.
 
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