Melaleuca ericifolia

Linalool is widely distributed, contributing to the flavour and biological activity of grapevine leaves, lemon, basil, tea leaves, thyme and cardamom (Duke and Beckstrom-Sternberg 2001). It is also a major component of some Australian melaleuca oils, especially Melaleuca ericifolia. 

French practitioners and other therapists have apparently become familiar with untested oils (Cuba, 2000). The use of toxicologically untested Nepalese essential oils and the like includes lichen resinoids, sugandha kokila oil, jatamansi oil, and Nepalese lemongrass Cymbopogon flexuosa), also Tagetes oil (Basnyet, 1999). Melaleuca rosalina (Melaleuca ericifolia), 1,8-cineole 18-26%, is apparently especially useful for the respiratory system (Penoel, 1998), but it is untested and could be a sensitizer. 

Santalum spicatum Prostanthem melissifolia Leptospermum petersonii Melaleuca alternifolia Agonisfragram Melaleuca ericifolia Melaleuca quinquenervia Eucalyptus citriodora Eucalyptus polybractea Eucalyptus staigeriana Eucalyptus radiata... 

For the oils tested against Culex quinquefasciatus, the MPTs ranged from 20 to 100 minutes with the longest, 100 minutes, provided by Corymbia citriodora, which was significantly (FIO, 32 = 4.46, p = 0.002) greater than Prostanthera melissifolia, Agonisfragrans, Eucalyptus polybractea. Eucalyptus radiata, Melaleuca ericifolia, Melaleuca quinquenervia, and Santalum spicatum. 

Taking the results for the 30-minute exposure period, the most effective oils were Melaleuca ericifolia and Callitris glaucophylla that both provided over 80% repellency compared to an untreated control (Figure 10.3). The repellency rates dropped markedly after 30 minutes exposure with no essential oil providing over 60% repellency after 60 minutes and none providing over 50% after 120 minutes. 

Taking the results from the laboratory tests, field testing of a 5% formulation of Melaleuca ericifolia (5% in either alcohol, emulsion, or gel) provided over 95% repellency (compared to untreated controls) up to 180 minutes against two conunon nuisance-biting species in the local area. 

Given that the botanical formulations performed as well as a 7% deet-based repellent for the first 3 hours of testing, it suggests that some comparable repellency is provided. However, it is important to note that no MPTs were provided in the study. Although no mosquito landings on individuals treated with the deet-based repellent occurred over the 3 hours of the study, some landings on the Melaleuca ericifolia-hsi ed repellent occurred after 60 minutes. 

Essential oils from the leaves of Melaleuca (M. armillaris, M. ericifolia, andM. leucaden-dron = M. cajuputi) have shown in vitro antibacterial, antifungal (C. albicans), and antiviral activities (HIV-1) in vitro potentiation of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione in er5rthrocytes and in vitro inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Both M. alternifolia leaf oil and terpinen-4-ol induced differentiation of white blood cells in vitro in human myelocytic (HL-60) cells. ... 

---