Tea tree oil, or melaleuca oil, is an essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odor and a color that ranges from pale yellow to nearly colorless and clear. It is taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca altemifolia, which is native to Southeast Queensland and the Northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia. Tea tree oil should not be confused with tea oil, the sweet seasoning and cooking oil from pressed seeds of the tea plant beverage tea or the tea oil plant.
Tea tree oil is toxic when taken by mouth, but is widely used in low concentrations in cosmetics and skin washes. Tea tree oil has been claimed to be useful for treating a wide variety of medical conditions. It shows some promise as an antimicrobial. Tea tree oil may be effective in a variety of dermatologic conditions including dandruff, acne, lice, herpes and other skin infections.
Tea tree oil is applied to the skin (used topically) for infections such as fungal infections of the nail, scabies, athlete’s foot and ringworm. It is also used topically as a local antiseptic for cuts and abrasions, for burns, insect bites and stings, boils, vaginal infections, recurrent herpes labials, toothache, infections of the mouth and nose, sore throat and for ear infections. Some people add it to bath water to treat cough, bronchial congestion, and pulmonary inflammation.
Tea Tree oil is a very powerful immune stimulant, helping to fight infections and promote clear skin. Its scent is described as fresh, warm, spicy, medicinal and pungent. Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic, bactericide, fungicide and anti-viral with an esthetic qualities. Unlike most other antiseptic preparations, Tea Tree Oil can be used daily without causing an imbalance in the natural bacterial flora on the skin. It has been used by the Australian Aborigines since the beginning of time for acne, oily skin, rashes, various infections, fungal diseases, dandruff, and itchy scalp. In World War II Tea Tree oil was issued to each soldier and sailor as part of their field kit to treat tropical infections and infected wounds.
Benefit & Uses:
Tea Tree Oil has wonderful it a popular natural agent for curing all three types of infectious organisms: fungus, bacteria, and virus. More importantly, it is known to effectively fight a number of infections that are resistant to some antibiotics. Therefore, Tea Tree Oil is an excellent natural remedy for hundreds of bacterial and fungal skin ailments such as acne, abscess, oily skin, blisters, sun burns, athlete's foot, warts, herpes, insect bites, rashes, dandruff and other minor wounds and irritations.
Tea Tree Oil also treats respiratory problems ranging from common sore throats, coughs and runny nose to severe conditions such as asthma, tuberculosis, and bronchitis. The anti-viral properties of the oil fight many common infectious diseases such as chicken pox, shingles and measles, flu, cold sores and verrucae. It also strengthens the body's immune system, which is often weakened by stress, illness, or by the use of antibiotics and other drugs. It can also be used as a mouth wash, since it is highly effective in healing oral candidacies (a fungal infection of mouth and throat).
It has mild to moderate acne. Applying a tea tree oil gel appears to be as effective as benzyl peroxide (Oxy-5, Benzoic AC, and others) for treating acne. Tea tree oil might work more slowly than benzyl peroxide, but seems to be less irritating to facial skin.
Tea tree oil is LIKELY SAFE for most people when put on the skin, but it can cause skin irritation and swelling. In people with acne, it can sometimes cause skin dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness.
Tea tree oil is UNSAFE when taken by mouth. Don’t take tea tree oil by mouth. As a general rule never take undiluted essential oils by mouth due to the possibility of serious side effects. Taking tree tea oil by mouth has caused confusion, inability to walk, unsteadiness, rash, and coma.