Top 8 Tea Tree Oil Amazing Benefits & Uses
Tea tree essential oil is obtained from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia through a steam distillation process. It is applied topically on the skin to relieve different ailments due to its antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, and expectorant properties. It is often referred to as a medicine cabinet in a bottle. However, you should be extra vigilant to ensure that you do not ingest tea tree essential oil, as it is harmful when taken orally.
Health Benefits of Tea Tree Essential Oil
According to the records, people have been using tea tree for thousands of years for different purposes. However, thanks to scientific research, we can now enjoy the countless benefits of tea tree essential oil as explained below.
Antibacterial
It is a common speculation that nature causes a disease; it also brings with it a solution. Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections are most common in tropical countries, and true to nature, most of the natural remedies for such ailments are found there too. Tea tree is one of the most effective medicinal plants used in treating bacterial infections.
Tea tree essential oil is used to protect the wound from getting infected by bacteria. Its antiseptic properties also accelerate the wound healing process. Simply mix it with a carrier oil and apply it on the wound.
Studies have also shown that the essential oil can be used in treating internal bacterial infections present in the stomach, colon, intestines, urinary and excretory system. It is also used in treating tuberculosis.
Treating Acne
It has terpene compound, which gives the oil its antimicrobial properties. This makes it effective in combating acne and other skin inflammation conditions. The tree tea essential oil has the ability to kill MRSA, Staphylococcus, and Propionibacterium acne. These bacteria reside inside the hair follicles causing inflammations such as acne. The essential oil also contains soothing and calming effect that helps in reducing pain that comes as a result of flare-ups.
A gel composed of 5% of tea tree oil is much as effective against acne as the benzoyl peroxide. Though it takes a longer time with tea tree oil to heal acne, the essential oil does not damage the skin. Furthermore, you can make your own acne remedy using tea tree oil, making it economical.
Eliminating Nail Fungus
The essential oil is used in the treatment of toenail fungus, athlete foot, and ringworms. This is because tea tree oil has the ability to eradicate parasites and fungal infections. Studies have shown that the effectiveness of the essential oil matches the conventional medicines used in the treatment of the same. Apply the diluted oil twice daily to the affected areas of your body.
Treating Viral Infections
Viral infections are common and can survive in very harsh conditions. Their ability to reoccur makes viruses even more dangerous to our health. They can withstand poison, severe heat or cold as they develop a cyst-protective shell around them. Some viruses such as the common cold virus develop a cyst whenever they get stimulated to confuse the immune system.
Viruses never die of natural causes and therefore can live for years while dormant. The only way to eradicate viruses is to rupture their cysts under extreme unbearable temperatures. Tea tree essential oil helps in rupturing some viruses, hence protecting our bodies from such viruses. The essential oil is also used in treating viral infections such as influenza, common cold, measles, mumps, and a common cold.
Maintaining Overall Skin Health
Whenever tea tree essential oil is mentioned, skin maintenance always comes into the picture. The essential oil has a powerful antioxidant property that helps in keeping blemishes and scars at bay. Many people use oil to eliminate aging signs such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and fine lines. It nourishes the skin, improves skin elasticity as well as removing stretch marks, leaving your skin looking smooth and young.
Natural Remedy For Respiratory Infections
Tea tree essential oil is an expectorant and therefore, it is effective against cold, bronchitis, congestion, nasal polyps, and complications associated with the cold. Simply use a few drops of the essential oil and rub it on the chest. Also, you can opt to inhale the oil before retiring to bed or place a few drops on your pillow to benefit from its therapeutic scent while sleeping. You are sure to get relieved from cold the moment you wake up.
Hair Care
Tea tree oil is used to treat certain hair conditions such as dandruff or hair loss. Massaging your scalp with a small amount of the essential oil increases blood circulation to your scalp. Increased blood flow enables hair follicle to stay healthy and therefore will hold the hair firmly preventing hair loss. Also, the essential oil nourishes and moisturizes the scalp, preventing dandruff and dry scalp.
Insecticide
Tea tree oil is an insect repellent and killer as well. It is active against mosquitoes, lice, fleas, and flies. It is also internal insects such as tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms.
Uses of Tea Tree Essential Oil
The essential oils have a number of properties that can be put in a multiple of uses. Some of the uses include:
Healthy Hair
The oil has the ability to treat dry, flaky hair and remove dandruff. You can integrate the tea tree essential to your shampoo to get rid of dandruff and to nourish your hair. Simply mix several drops of tea tree oil with coconut milk, aloe vera gel and other essential oils like lavender. Massage your scalp using the mixture.
Used For Cleaning
Due to its antimicrobial properties, tea tree essential oil is used for cleaning purposes at home. Mix lemon essential oil, tea tree essential oil, and vinegar with water. Once uniformly mixed, use the blend to clean your sinks, bathrooms, kitchen appliances, countertops, and toilet.
Eliminating Ringworms
Ringworm is the fungus of skin, and it is highly contagious and caused by fungus tinea. Studies have shown that tea tree oil can be used in preventing and treating ringworms due to its antifungal properties. Add three drops of the essential oil to a carrier oil of your own choice. Apply the mixture onto the infected areas of your skin thrice daily.
Treating Skin Inflammation
Tea tree essential oil is used to treat skin inflammation such as eczema and psoriasis. Simply mix five drops of tea tree oil, one teaspoon of coconut oil, and five drops of lavender oil. Apply the mixture on psoriasis and eczema, twice daily for a quick recovery.
Killing Molds
Tea tree essential oil is anti-fungal and therefore, effective against molds. Mold infestation is common in homes, and sometimes they occur even without you noticing. Infuse tea tree oil in your diffuser and place it in areas around your home that is infested by molds and other bad bacteria. Alternatively, you can spray tea tree oil onto shower curtains, dishwasher, laundry machine, or toilet to eradicate mold.
Making Wound Ointment
Tea tree oil mixed with lavender oil is a perfect mixture to protect the wound from infection. Ensure you first clean your wound using water or hydrogen peroxide, then apply the blend and cover with a bandage to further protect the wound and boost the healing process.
Eliminating Head Lice
Head lice are not only irritating but also embarrassing in public. Tea tree has 1, 8-cineol and terpinen-4-ol compounds that have insecticidal properties. Simply mix tea tree oil with peppermint oil and use the mixture to massage your scalp.
Tea Tree Essential Oil Recipes
- Natural Remedy For Athlete’s Foot
Ingredients
- One drop of lavender essential oil
- Two drops of tea tree essential oil
Procedure
Add one drop of the lavender and two drops tea tree essential oil to the basal massage oil and stir for a few minutes to attain a uniform mixture and apply it on the affected foot.
- Chest Congestion Treatment
Ingredients
- Two drops of lavender essential oil
- Two drops of tea tree essential oil
- Two drops of eucalyptus essential oil
Procedure
Boil water over a stove, once the water has reached boiling point, and then add all the above mentioned essential oils. Lean your head over the bowl, cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapors produced for at least three minutes. Keep your eyes closed.
- Ease Sinus Congestion
Ingredients
- Two drops of tea tree essential oil
- Two drops of peppermint essential oil
- Two drops of eucalyptus essential oil
Procedure
Warm a pot of water over a stove and remove it from the stove after the water has started boiling. While the water is still steaming, add the essential oils into the water. Lean over the pot, covers your head with a towel. Inhale the steam for a minimum of three minutes. Always keep your eyes closed as the essential oils can cause irritation in your eyes.
Tea tree essential oil is becoming increasingly common in many households due to its numerous benefits and uses. The essential oil can be used as a natural remedy for almost all tropical diseases. Its magical healing and disinfectant abilities make it an essential oil to have in your home.
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