tea tree

American  

noun

1. a tall shrub or small tree, Leptospermum scoparium, of the myrtle family, native to New Zealand and Australia, having silky foliage when young, and bell-shaped, white flowers: often planted to prevent beach erosion.

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tea tree British  

noun

1. any of various myrtaceous trees of the genus Leptospermum, of Australia and New Zealand, that yield an oil used as an antiseptic

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Etymology

Origin of tea tree

First recorded in 1750–60; so called from the use of its leaves as an infusion

Example Sentences

Crowdsourced home remedies — rubbing alcohol, conditioners, coconut oil, tea tree oil, wrapping it all up in plastic overnight — didn’t work either.

From Los Angeles Times

At $20, it has peppermint and tea tree oil and other ingredients meant to promote hair growth.

From Washington Times

Reyes, meanwhile, updated followers saying she was told to use olive oil, coconut oil or tea tree oil to get the glue out.

From Fox News

Tony and Carol Meibock, a husband and wife team from Calgary, Canada, carved out a niche selling soaps and foot soaks made from peppermint and tea tree oil to treat dry skin, jock itch and athlete’s foot.

From Seattle Times

After trying suggestions from the masses — rubbing alcohol, conditioners, coconut oil, tea tree oil, wrapping it all up in plastic overnight — Brown went to a local emergency room, but that didn’t help either.

From Los Angeles Times