The Bundjalung aboriginal people from Australia used the tea tree for medicinal purposes even 3,000 years ago. Recognising it as a disinfectant, they crushed tea-tree (or paper bark) leaves and applied the paste to wounds, cuts and bites as well as brewed it as tea for throat infections. Tea tree has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial qualities. Commonly used as an essential oil, it can treat ailments like toothache, acne, fungal infections of the toenails and dandruff. It is often used in making soaps because of its therapeutic nature. Experts believe that when plants are used in a customary way, there is a far greater success rate in them having biological activity. The plants that were used by the ancients are very likely to be useful to us.
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