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Australian aboriginals were familiar with the terrain that they lived on. They understood that many plants and trees in their area, could be used for many different purposes.
The tea tree is a large tree native to Australia. Native aboriginals identified many different species of the tea tree along with their medicinal properties. Properties absorbed into the body through infusion, steaming and ointments. Each have their own therapeutic benefits enhancing the benefits of the plant extract.
To create an infusion, leaves and bark from the tea tree were gathered and crushed. Then placed in water to soak for several days. The longer it soaked, the more potent the infusion became. The infusion was then drunk or also used as bath water. This remedy was helpful in alleviating headaches, coughs, colds and fever. Infusions were also poured onto open wounds in order to cleanse them.
Steam was also an effective way that the aborigines used tea tree. The branches and leaves were crushed up and placed into boiling water. The patient would then inhale the rising steam and feel relief from headaches and congestion. Another method for administering steam was by placing the tea tree branches and leaves into a fire. The patient would then squat over the fire while inhaling the steam which arose.
Ointments were also an effective way to help heal. The aborigines would crush up tea tree leaves and mix them with animal fat. This ointment would then be rubbed on the body to alleviate congestion or a fever.
Other ways that tea tree was administered was by making a bark or leaf tea. This consisted of boiling the leaves or bark in hot water. The leaves could then be crushed and the scent of the leaves could be directly inhaled. The crushed leaves could then be applied directly onto open wounds.
The bark of the tea tree is similar to paper which can be ripped, torn and folded easily making it useful as a bandage. The aboriginal people also used tea tree bark in many non - medicinal uses. It was used to wrap food in to cook (similar to aluminium foil used today), to fix holes in canoes, woven into sleeping mats and also used to produce simple raincoats.
The power of the tea tree has been utilized for centuries by aboriginals. Today, we have the ability to extract the oil from this amazing Melaleuca tree and use its medicinal powers whenever and wherever we may need it for therapeutic value. Either as a natural cleansing agent or for soothing of bites. It is also ideal to relieve aching muscles.
