CMD Tea Tree Oil Series

Antarctica is the most inhospitable continent on our planet. Temperatures are below zero all year round and the land mass is almost completely covered in ice. Apart from a few explorers, there are no permanent inhabitants. But even among the habitable continents, there are challenging ones. For example, 72% of Australia is made up of wilderness areas, better known as the "outback". There are no fewer than ten deserts within it. In some regions, there is no rain for years and temperatures rise to over 50°C in summer. Near the coast, where the majority of the population lives, the climate is somewhat milder, but you have to be wary of the wildlife. Australia is not only home to crocodiles and scorpions, but also the 10 most venomous snake species. In addition, 21 of the 25 most venomous spiders on the planet are at home "Down Under". Anyone travelling in the Australian wilderness should therefore always keep an eye on the ground and never reach blindly into crevices or tree holes. Australians would also never think of putting on their shoes without shaking them out, or using the toilet without taking a look inside first. Despite all the dangers and adversities, there are also locals who still seem to move effortlessly through the wilderness.

The Aboriginal Australians arrived in Australia around 40,000 years ago. They adapted so well to their natural environment that their way of life remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years. The Aborigines roamed the land in small tribes as nomads. They gathered nuts, berries and fruit or went hunting with spears and boomerangs. Their deep connection to nature was also evident in their detailed knowledge of plants. The Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) has always played a crucial role in this. Its leaves were placed on wounds to soothe them, inhaled as a vapour for coughs or sore throats and drunk as a decoction for digestive problems. We owe the misleading name to the botanist Joseph Banks, who accompanied James Cook on his first expedition to the South Seas (1768 to 1771). When the expedition landed on the coast of eastern Australia, Banks immediately began to study the local flora. He discovered a tree with thin, pointed leaves. After a few minutes in boiling water, he obtained a spicy, aromatic infusion. And because the whole crew drank it like tea, Banks quickly named the newly discovered tree "tea tree".

In the 1920s, scientists confirmed that the essential oil from tea tree leaves had antiseptic, antibacterial and fungicidal properties. Until the introduction of penicillin, tea tree oil was the standard antiseptic in Australia. After the Second World War, however, it was almost completely replaced by pharmaceutical antibiotics and fell into oblivion in many places. When more and more people became interested in natural alternatives in the 1970s, tea tree oil experienced a major comeback. Due to its many positive properties, tea tree oil is once again in great demand in both naturopathy and natural cosmetics.

It was back in 1992 when Carl-Michael Diedrich began developing a tea tree oil cosmetics range. Two years later, he founded the company CMD Naturkosmetik in response to steadily growing demand. High-quality natural cosmetics require high-quality tea tree oil. However, tea tree oil is not only grown in Australia, but also in Asia. Some tea tree oils also come from plantations that are harvested two to three times a year. CMD only uses original Australian organic tea tree oil from sustainably grown trees that are only harvested once a year. Today, CMD's tea tree oil range includes not only scrub, wash gel, soap, body lotion, hand cream and facial toner, but also shampoo, deodorant, foot gel, an acne roll-on, after shave and mouthwash. Discover the wide range of applications of a true classic of natural cosmetics. The tinted CMD Tea Tree Classic Zinc Ointment can be used to conceal blemishes or spots. The Tea Tree Oil Classic Face Tonic is a mild hydrolate that is also suitable as a shaving or hair tonic. Tea Tree Oil Classic Hand Cream provides intensive care for dry, stressed hands. The Tea tree oil Classic foot gel uses a special combination of essential oils, tea tree oil and camomile extract to support the feet. The mild Tea Tree Oil Classic Body Deodorantwith witch hazel water and grapefruit, without alcohol, is also suitable for sensitive skin. CMD utilises the soothing properties of Australian organic tea tree oil to care for and support oily, irritated and spot-prone skin.