Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the tea tree. The tea tree was named by eighteenth century sailors, who made tea that smelled like nutmeg from the leaves of the tree growing on the swampy southeast Australian coast. Do not confuse the tea tree with the unrelated common tea plant that is used to make black and green teas.
Tea tree oil possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
According to a study published in the Journal of Dermatological Sciences, tea tree oil also has the ability to fight cancer. It has a rapid effect on reducing cancerous tumors: https://www.jdsjournal.com/article/S0923-1811(12)00176-4/abstract
At FAIR CANDLES we use tea tree oil as a key ingredients in the "Magical Tea Tree" collection together with sage, lemon and rosemary oil. The result is a light green & welcoming scent with purifying benefits.