Tea Tree – Melaleuca Alternifolia
Tea tree, and in particular its essential oil, is one of the most important natural antiseptics and it merits a place in every medicine chest. It is useful for treating stings, burns, wounds and skin infections of all kinds. An essential oil obtained from the leaves and twigs is strongly antiseptic, diaphoretic and expectorant. It stimulates the immune system and is effective against a broad range of bacterial and fungal infections. Internally, it is used in the treatment of chronic and some acute infections, notably cystitis, glandular fever and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is used externally in the treatment of thrush, vaginal infections, acne, athlete’s foot, verrucae, warts, insect bites, cold sores and nits. It is applied neat to verrucae, warts and nits, but is diluted with a carrier oil such as almond for other uses. The oil is non-irritant. Another report says that high quality oils contain about 40% terpinen-4-ol, which is well tolerated by the skin and 5% cineol which is irritant. However, in poor quality oils the levels of cineol can exceed 10% and in some cases up to 65%. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is ‘Antiseptic’.
Planting rates of 20 000 – 30 000 trees per hectare depending on the climate and soil type.
Once established, the trees quickly form a dense cover that often excludes weeds and over the next 12-14 months grow to a height of 2 to 2.5 meters before being harvested for the first time. The trees are robust and regenerate quickly after this first harvest. Trees are harvested annually. Yield improves over the next 2 – 3 years as the trees establish a strong network of roots and coppice post-harvest to form several shoots from the root stock.
Rose Geranium – Pelagonium Graveolens
This plant is confined to two separate areas in southern Africa, one in Limpopo Province, where it receives summer rain, and the other in the south-eastern part of the Western Cape, where it receives rain throughout the year. In both these regions, the summer is hot and the winter is mild, and Pelargonium graveolens is found growing on the mountains, in sheltered positions such as kloofs, usually in relatively moist habitats. Pelargonium graveolens has also been recorded in Zimbabwe and Mozambique
Pelargonium graveolens is used in the production of geranium oil, which is used as a substitute for the expensive attar of roses in the perfume trade. Cultivars and hybrids of this species are grown commercially on the island of Reunion and elsewhere.
Geranium oil is widely used as an ingredient in perfumes and cosmetics. The essential oil is also used in aromatherapy to treat a number of health conditions. In aromatherapy, essential oils are inhaled using a diffuser, or diluted with carrier oils and applied to the skin for soothing benefits.
Researchers have examined the benefits of geranium essential oil in several human and animal studies. There’s also anecdotal evidence about its benefits. It’s thought to have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and astringent properties
Planting 40 000 plants per ha.
Rosemary – Rosemary Officinalis
Rosemary oil is extracted from the popular herb Rosmarinus officinalis. It is very popular in the Mediterranean region as a culinary herb. The rosemary bush belongs to the mint family, which includes basil, lavender, peppermint, and sage.
Rosemary has been extensively used since ancient times for a variety of purposes. The Romans gave special importance to the rosemary plant and used it frequently in religious ceremonies. It was also used during wedding ceremonies, food preparations, cosmetics, and medicinal herbal products. Rosemary plant and its extracts were used by the ancient Egyptian civilization as incense.
The health benefits of rosemary essential oil made it a favorite of Paracelsus, a renowned German-Swiss physician, and botanist, who made significant contributions to the understanding of herbal medicine during the 16th century. Paracelsus valued rosemary essential oil because of its ability to strengthen the entire body. He correctly believed that rosemary oil had the ability to heal delicate organs such as the liver, brain, and heart.