Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant with needle like leaves similar to cypress, with heads of sessile pale flowers, native to Australia. It has a proven history of more than sixty years of safe usage and can be used as is a natural antiseptic, germicide, antibacterial and fungicide. Tea tree oil is an excellent natural remedy for hundreds of bacterial and fungal skin ailments such as acne, abscess, oily skin, blisters, sun burns, athlete's foot, warts, herpes, insect bites, rashes, dandruff and other minor wounds and irritations. Tea tree oil should not be used orally; there are reports of toxicity after consuming tea tree oil by mouth.