Helen. Melaleuca Alternifolia is a native tree of Australia. Captain Cook saw the aborigines using the leaves to make a tea with them (hence the Tea Tree) It helped cure gum disease and was used as an antiseptic antibiotic before penecillin was discovered. The bactericidal function was discovered to cure diabetic gangrene. The oil was acted with ten times more antiseptic bactericide function than carbolic acid. One should check the quality of the oil before buying it. I do not work for Melaleuca but endorse the quality of some of their products. Yours, Aye. Dave