The aborigines believed tea tree oil had magic powers and would bathe in the lakes into which the leaves fell grown in new south wales australia the melaleuca alternifolia tree is the only one of the 110 species from which this unique natural oil can be extracted the oil is distilled under high pressure steam extraction within one hour of harvest what is tea tree oil a 100 natural antiseptic essential oil a broad spectrum bactericide and fungicide a gentle mild anaesthetic a natural pus