Aroma: Fresh, green, and strong
Extraction method: Steam distillation
Part used: Leaves and twigs
Main benefits:
Melaleuca essential oil has long been recognized for its powerful antiseptic properties and ability to treat wounds and cuts. For more than 70 years, tea tree oil has been documented in numerous medicinal types of research for its ability to kill even antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Produced through steam distillation of the leaves of the plant, tea tree oil is a must for any home medicine cabinet. The tea tree exhibits powerful cleansing and purifying properties. It will help you keep your skin clean and healthy and your home dirt-free.
MAIN CONSTITUENTS
Terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene, α-terpinene, cineol 1,8
TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS
If you are looking for ideas on tea tree oil blends, you may consider mixing tea tree oil with bergamot, eucalyptus, juniper berry, lemon, grapefruit, scotch pine, rosemary, chamomile, and cinnamon.
HISTORY OF TEA TREE
Widely known as a tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia is native to Australia, where it was often used by the local aboriginal tribes as medicine. It became popular worldwide during Captain James Cook’s expeditions to the Australian continent in the 18th century. It is said that sailors would prepare tea from the leaves of the Melaleuca plant, which is how it got the name ‘tea tree’.
Beautiful and exotic, this plant played a major part in old folks' medicine. The oral history of Australian Aborigines tells the story of magical lagoons into which M. alternifolia leaves had fallen and decayed over time. Bundjalung Aborigines would use crushed leaves of tea trees to treat coughs and colds or apply the leaves directly on wounds.
Legend has it that tea tree oil was considered of such great importance for its therapeutic qualities that Australian soldiers were supplied tea tree oil as part of their military first-aid kits during World War II. Furthermore, the narrative even suggests that bush cutters were exempt from national service in the army.
While those stories might sound too far-fetched to you, you should know that there have also been a lot of science-based reports and clinical trials to discuss the benefits of tea tree oil and the exact mechanisms behind those properties.
Acne and eczema
Another clinical study assessed the potency of 5% tea tree oil gel in the treatment of acne. The results were compared against 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion. Whereas the tea tree oil was a bit slower to reduce the inflamed lesions associated with acne, it proved to be far more tolerant. The tea tree oil group reported fewer side effects, such as scaling, rash, or dryness.
Dandruff
To test tea tree oil efficacy against dandruff, 126 women had to use 5% tea tree oil shampoo for 4 weeks. The treatment proved to be effective, with some of the participants even reporting improvement in associated dandruff symptoms such as itchiness and greasiness.
Toenail fungus
Because of its antiparasitic and antifungal qualities, tea tree oil is a great choice to use on nail fungus (onychomycosis), athlete’s foot, and ringworm. Put two drops of undiluted tea tree oil on the affected area using a clean cotton swab. Keep in mind that tea tree oil might also help treat warts. Simply put a couple of drops of tea tree oil directly on the area for 20 days once a day.
Cuts and wounds
Tea tree oil is the perfect ingredient in a homemade wound ointment because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Just make sure to clean a cut first with water and hydrogen peroxide if necessary. Then put on one to three drops of tea tree oil, and cover it with a bandage to help fight off infections.
Oral health and bad breath
Because of tea tree oil’s ability to cope with bad bacteria and at the same time soothe inflammation, it has become a common ingredient in natural toothpaste and mouthwash products. It may help reduce tooth decay, as well.
Support for such claims comes from trial-based evidence proving that tea tree oil can kill candida fungus inside your mouth. It turned out that a tee tree solution is as effective as the standard fluconazole.
To get rid of bad breath and improve your oral health, mix three drops of tea tree oil with warm water. Put the mixture in a glass bottle (30 ml). Shake well before you use it. Do not swallow. Tea tree oil can be highly toxic if ingested.
MEDICINAL USES OF TEA TREE OIL
The first reports of tea tree oil’s antimicrobial activity were brought to the wide public in the 1920s by Australian chemist Arthur Penfold. When evaluating the antimicrobial activity of M. alternifolia, he made comparisons with phenol, which was the gold standard of that time. Tea tree oil was rated 11 times more active than the phenol, with the terpineol constituent exclusively being 16 times more potent than the phenol.
Tea tree oil has also been proven to be a potent agent against bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains. One study confirmed tea tree oil efficacy against 66 different isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and 33 antibiotic-resistant strains.
In another trial, the effectiveness of TTO in treating tinea pedis (toe fungus) was measured against the standard conventional medicine tolnaftate. 65% of the participants reported clinical improvement in one of the trials.
- Use in bathtub for aroma therapy benefits
- Diffuse for emotional and mental benefits
- Apply diluted, for physical ailments
Healing properties:
- strongly antibacterial
- antiviral
- antifungal
- antiparasitic
- anti-inflammatory
- antiseptic
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS: Tea tree oil is a highly concentrated product and should only be used with extreme caution. Please note that all information is provided for informational purposes and we always recommend additional consultation with a specialist prior to usage, especially when used in childhood, during pregnancy, breastfeeding or if you suffer from chronic diseases! Avoid contact with eyes, mucous membranes, inner ear and other sensitive parts of the body! Keep out of reach of children!
You should never take tea tree oil internally.
All-natural bathroom cleaner
Bathrooms are bacteria and fungus's favorite spot in your home. Tea tree oil can help you maintain your bathroom clean and bacteria-free easily. You just need a 100ml spray bottle, apple cider vinegar or alcohol, and ten drops of tea tree oil. Mix, shake, and spray.
Tea tree oil for acne
You can dilute ten drops of tea tree essential oil in 30ml of hemp oil or apricot kernel oil. Pour 2 to 3 drops of the mixture into your palm and massage to the face after cleansing the skin. Preferably apply at night.
Tea tree oil for oily hair and dandruff
If you are not into DIY recipes at home, the easiest way to take advantage of tea tree oil is to add five drops of essential oil to 100ml of your daily shampoo. Another thing to try is to mix:
Mix well, apply to your scalp and leave for 20 minutes, then rinse well.
Clean your toothbrush
Your toothbrush can harbor bacteria, so consider the following procedure to adopt. Use a jar and add 30 ml of water, add two drops of tea tree essential and stir well. Leave for a few hours and rinse.
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