Southern Rosalina, aka Swamp Paperbark or Lavender Tea Tree, is a gentler version of its pungent Tea Tree cousin, Melaleuca alternifolia. Tasmanian Soap Farm sources quality-assured Southern Rosalina essential oil that is steam distilled from wild, sustainably harvested trees on Tasmania’s Flinders Island. Native to coastal Tasmania and Australia, aborigines traditionally used the oil from its leaves for medicine while nectar from the flowers was used to make sweet drinks. Modern science has uncovered some of the properties of this oil:
- Antimicrobial, anti-fungal and a virucidal: a 2004 study showed it had high inhibitory effects against Bacillus subtiles (found in infections) and Aspergillus niger (black mould, which can cause pneumonia). In addition, its oil was proven to be 91.5% effective as a virucidal against herpes. In 2007 it was found to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria responsible for skin infection and pneumonia;
- Anti-cancer: In 2009, scientists stated stated that the oil was used as a starting scaffold to design eleven new and three known anti-cancer agents;
- Antioxidant and a skin tonic: a 2011 review reported on its high concentrations of antioxidants and its chief components (1,8-cineole, linalool and methyl eugenol) while INCI states that placing this oil on your skin makes it feel good.
We add Southern Rosalina essential oil, with its crisp-yet-soothing scent (so reminiscent of the Australian bush) to our rosy skin care soap. Get an afterglow!
