Method for Producing Tea Tree Oil

The leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, or "tea tree," are used to produce an antiseptic essential oil that is a popular remedy for treating scratches, burns, insect bites, athlete's foot and other skin disorders. You use a process known as steam distillation to extract the strong, medicinal plant oils. Steam distillation forces stream through a retort, or container, of fresh plant material. The steam releases the volatile oils from the plant and carries them through a condenser and to a separator where they can be collected for use.

Things You'll Need

• Steam distiller
• Fresh tea tree leaves
• Eye dropper
• Glass bottle

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Instructions

• 1

  Read the instructions for your steam distillation kit and familiarize yourself with its usage.

• 2

  Fill the retort with the suggested amount of plant material. Use only the leaves of the tea tree since that is where the active plant alkaloids are found.

• 3

  Pour the recommended amount of water into the steam chamber and start the steamer. Steam will rise through the retort and release the volatile oils in the tea tree leaves. The steam and the oils then will travel through the condenser where the steam cools and turns to water once again. The water and oils will drip into the separator. The length of this process depends on the size of your steam distillation system and how much water your steamer holds.

• 4

  Allow the fluid in the separator to cool to the touch. Most of the cooling happens in the condenser but you should still exercise caution when working with hot liquids. Use an eye dropper to carefully remove the top layer of essential oil from the hydrolat (the cooled water).

• 5

  Store your tea tree essential oil in a small glass bottle with a tight fitting, eye drop closure. Keep in it a dark, cool place. Properly stored essential oils have a nearly infinite shelf life.