Coastal Tea Tree was first described by German botanist Joseph Gaertner in 1788, however, Australia’s First Peoples would have known of its therapeutic properties long before. Tasmanian Soap Farm adds the steam-distilled essential oil obtained from the green foliage into its guest skin care soap. The sea transports the seed pods of this native heath-like shrub to coastal areas like remote Flinders Island, Tasmania, where it is sustainably wild-harvested (and quality-assured) by our supplier. It is a relatively new kid on the block when compared to more commercially-known species from the same Myrtaceae family: Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium), as in Manuka honey, and Tea Tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), with its camphoraceous odour and antiseptic qualities. As you can probably guess, Coastal Tea Tree essential oil has its own unique, fresh, piquant aroma, and properties – due to its 55 phytochemical components:
- Antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal: researchers found it contains alpha and beta pinene terpenoids. They can assist in controlling unwanted bacteria and the like on our skin;
- Aids memory and increases alertness: terpenes are a class of compounds which are known to assist memory and increase alertness through aromatherapy;
- Antioxidants: these help to control free radicals on the skin. Free radicals are generated through pollution, environmental damage, UV light, stress, smoking and poor diet. They are responsible for breaking down our skin's collagen, resulting in unflattering skin blemishes like wrinkling, dark spots, fine lines and loose, saggy skin.
Now you can take a daily vicarious journey to Flinders Island in the Bass Strait, courtesy of our guest, duck skin care soap and our one shampoo/conditioner bar. Escape!
