Tea tree oil is an essential oil which is yellow or green tinged with a fresh amphoraceous smell. It is produced by steam distillation of the leaves of the plant Melaleuca alternifolia, more commonly known as the Australian tea tree. As the name suggests, the trees are native to Australia and have been used for thousands of years by the aboriginals in Australia for healing wounds, cuts, abrasions, burns and infections by applying the crushed leaves to the affected areas.
These days the tea tree oil is being used as an antiseptic to treat burns, cuts, insect bites etc. It has anti inflammatory properties and hence can be used as a topical application to give relief in conditions like arthritis, eczema, bursitis and gout.It can also give relief from pain because of its analgesic property. The oil is also anti fungal. In some hospitals in Australia, it has been used before surgery to boost the affected immune system and in a London hospital, a study has been done and it was shown that the Tea Tree Oil can be an alternative to Vancomysin in countering the super bug methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Tea tree oil when inhaled makes breathing easier by acting as a decongestant. It can alleviate symptoms of sore throat and decrease the symptoms of cold and flu.
SKIN
The Tea tree oil has many uses for the skin. Its proven antifungal properties can be used to treat candidacies, ringworm, athlete’s foot and thrush. It can also be used to treat dandruff because it fights Malassezia furfur, which is most common cause for this affliction. Fungal nail infections can be cured by application of a formulation containing tea tree oil twice daily and relief can be typically seen in 3–4 months.
As a strong anti viral agent, Tea Tree is effective in fighting many common infectious diseases such as cold, shingles, measles, flu and chicken pox.
Tea tree oil is effective in treating boils, insect bites, minor wounds, soothe inflammation caused by sunburn poison ivy and bee stings.
The essential oil is also known to prevent foul body odor and soothe burning feet. It reduces scarring caused by hypertrophy. When massaged, tea tree oil may alleviate the discomfort of joint injuries and sore muscles.
It can also be used in the treatment of acne. When topically applied, a 5 solution of tea tree oil has been proved as effective as 5 benzoyl peroxide though it had a slower onset of action.
The oil can be used effectively for treating nappy/Diaper rash in babies which is cause.
Research has also shown that tea tree oil may have topical anti viral property, with the Herpes virus, chicken pox, cold sores, warts, and shingles blisters, etc.
A word of caution; though tea tree oil is safe to use, it should not be used undiluted as in case of all essential oils. Undiluted Tea Tree Oil can cause irritation, itchiness, and redness on sensitive skin. Therefore, in case of people with sensitive skin, it is prudent to dilute the tea tree oil in another base oil like olive oil or even sunflower oil.
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