Tea Tree Oil Review
Tea Tree oil is a natural essential oil produced in Australia and New Zealand primarily and has been used by the local Aborigines for centuries as both an antiseptic and antifungal treatment for various ailments and diseases.
What is Tea Tree Oil?
Otherwise known as the Melaleuca plant, Tea Tree Oil is also cultivated in other parts of the world such as Egypt, Tunisia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. In the eighteenth century, it was widely known to be used by sailors who frequented the area and was probably give the name tea tree because they used to make infusions from the leaves that also produce the oil itself.
Although the leaves of the Tea Tree plant can be boiled to make an herbal tea, as an oil extraction it can only be used as an external remedy. It is so potent that if ingested it can cause quite some damage and side effects could include vomiting and rashes. It's an essential oil recommended to be kept out of reach of young children and should only be administered by adults, otherwise, it's safe to use in small doses.
There are six types of Tea Tree Oil that exhibit slightly different properties and chemical compositions. These are the terpinen-4-ol type, the terpinolene type, and four 1,8-cineole types. With 98 compounds found in these oils, terpinen-4-ol is the most powerful of them all and is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Thinking of what to put in your first aid box? If you are looking for natural ways to care for yourself or your family, then Tea Tree Oil is a must-have among natural remedies in any medicine cabinet. There are over two dozen uses at least for this essential oil and it can be used on most people but is not recommended for use on babies less than six months old.
Tea Tree Oil Uses
Always make sure you are buying a therapeutic grade or 100% pure organic Tee Tree Oil that is free from chemicals and fillers and store it in a cool, dry and dark place as it's chemical components can be destabilized if exposed to heat, damp or air.
Keep away from your eyes and do not ingest it as it can be only used for external use unless you are mixing a little to make your own toothpaste or mouthwash which you spit out in seconds anyway. Do not apply Tea Tree Oil neat to the skin but always add it to a carrier oil and once blended you may use it accordingly.
Here is just a list of why Tea Tree Oil is so popular among health enthusiasts and traditional medicine lovers and I am sure you will be able to locate other uses for it too. For the aromatic use, you can add a few drops onto your clothes or in a diffuser or you can also add a few drops in water for inhalation purposes.
1. It's an antiseptic for cuts.
2. It can treat psoriasis and other known skin conditions
3. By mixing 1 drop of tea tree oil with 1 tsp. olive oil and dropping the mixture into the ear and then tilting your head you can say goodbye to ear ache
4. It's Great for skin tag removal.
5. IIt's an insect bite soother.
6. It's a natural Breathe freshener – Mix a tiny bit with water, swish it around your mouth for a few seconds then spit it out.
7. It's a common treatment used to eradicate warts.
8. Tea Tee Oil can treat ringworm effectively.
9. It can be used in a homemade recipe for toothpaste which would give it a refreshing taste.
10. It is a remedy for Athlete's foot.
11. Suffer from ticks no more because once you add a little Tea Tree Oil they will be blasted out!
12. Your pets will love what you have in store for them. Just a few drops added to your Pet's beds or crates will keep the ugly fleas at bay.
13. By adding a few drops of Tea Tree Oil in your shampoo, you can prevent yourself and especially your kids from contracting head lice.
14. It's a top treatment for acne sufferers.
15. A fresh and clean bathroom is yours when you add a little bit to your natural bathroom cleaner.
16. Chemical deodorants are harmful so by adding Tea Tree Oil to other natural ingredients you give yourself a better choice.
17. It's a wonderful mold remover. Just mix apple cider vinegar with a few drops of Tea Tree Oil and scrub away the mold.
18. You can use it in a variety of homemade kitchen cleaners.
19. It can be used to freshen carpets.
20. Do you like your clothes to smell lovely and fresh? Why not add a few drops into your washing machine next time you switch it on.
21. If you or anyone else in your family is suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems just add a few drops into a humidifier to bring you relief.
22. In more traditional societies it has been used in the treatment of chickenpox.
23. It can be used to treat topical wounds.
24. It's a remedy for skin infections.
Tea Tree Oil Studies and Summary
One article that was published in the Journal of Phytomedicine gave a report on various essential oils and concluded that Tea Tree Oil among others can be safely used even when a patient is on a course of antibiotics. Many medical practitioners also are choosing to advise their patients to use Tea Tree Oil instead of chemical medicine where it's effectiveness has been conclusively proven.
There are around 230 known species of which are mostly found in Australia and a report was published by The School of Biomedical and Chemical Sciences at The University of Western Australia in 2006 which made a reference to Tea Tree Oil's most active ingredients being able to reduce harmful bacteria which include terpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes .
A report published in the British Medical Journal also stated that Tea Tree Oil is one of the most powerful natural disinfectants to date and last but not least one report made by the British Medical Journal stated that this incredible essential oil can help cure skin cancer and build the immune system through its use.
