7 Benefits of TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL Highlighted
Posted on 19 November 2016
Derived from the leaves of the Australian Melaleuca plant or Tea Tree, the concentrated organic tea-tree essential oil is not from the same family as black and green tea plants. Tea Tree actually got its name courtesy Captain James Cook. He was in Australia and loved to brew the leaves for tea – the locals then named it “Tea Tree” and the name stuck!
Tea Tree essential oil is best used as a topical or aromatherapy treatment - and it has some amazing powers! At the top of the list is anti-fungal - this essential oil excels at it! It was used in a case of destroying MRSA and saving a man from amputation, as outlined in the book "Essential Oils Have Super Powers."
This essential oil’s antibacterial and anti-fungal properties help clear skin afflictions such as acne and lice, and act as an antiseptic for wounds, bug bites, and burns. It is also helpful in clearing up all types of fungal infections as well as vaginal infections.
Tea Tree oil compounds kill bacteria, reduce inflammation and allergic reactions and kill fungus. Let's look more closely!
Uses and Benefits for Tea Tree Essential Oil
1) ACNE SOLUTION: Tea Tree oil is found in a range of skin care products and is as effective at treating acne as benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in many treatments. Since it is a natural oil it is less irritating to the skin. Tea Tree essential oil reduces the appearance and severity of acne symptoms.
Mix a few drops of organic tea tree essential oil with 2 tsp of raw, unprocessed honey to create a homemade acne face wash. Leave on for one minute before rinsing.
You can also dot Tea Tree directly on a breakout (after first doing a patch test to be sure you don't have an allergic reaction.)
Blend 10-15 drops of Tea Tree essential oil in 1 ounce of jojoba oil, and use on your face as a serum and tonic to clear pores, kill acne at the source and care for your skin.
2) ATHLETE'S FOOT: Tea tree is a great essential oil to use for this condition. Wash your foot thoroughly and make sure it is very dry (fungi and bacteria love moist areas.) Then apply several drops AT LEAST twice per day “neat”, unless you have a reaction, then dilute it in an organic oil or cream. Be consistent, and do this every day until the infection is beat. This can take as long as 6 months if it is a serious infection (same for toenail infection.)
As an added measure, you can sprinkle baking soda mixed with tea tree in shoes overnight, then shake it out the next morning. (This helps with "stinky shoes", too!)
3) AIR & ROOM REFRESHNER, MOLD REDUCER: Diffuse Tea Tree in a room that needs freshening, and especially if there is mold or bacteria (basements are one example, air conditioning filters are another!). Tea Tree will go after the culprits!
You can also add a few drops of Tea Tree essential oil to water and spray the mix onto fabric, in diaper pails, trash barrels, shoe closets and anywhere that needs a good fresh scent to get rid of those dubious odors.
4) DANDRUFF: Dry flaking hair is a problem for millions of people. Adding Tea Tree essential oil to your shampoo and applying it for three minutes at every shower will reduce the greasiness, dryness, and itchiness on your scalp associated with dandruff.
Mix Tea Tree oil with another essential oil, such as lemon or lavender, and blend in aloe vera gel and coconut milk for a homemade dandruff shampoo.
5) SKIN CONDITIONS LIKE ECZEMA: Tea Tree essential oil can relieve the inflammation associated with psoriasis, eczema, and other skin problems. A mix of an oil like Baobab, Sesame or Coconut oil Plus Tea Tree essential oil, and Lavender essential oil works to ease the itching and irritation that can arise from these unpleasant conditions. Use a total of 15 drops per ounce of your oils (we recommend 10 Tea Tree and 5 Lavender.)
6) HELP WITH CONGESTION & COLDS: While some essential oils like Eucalyptus are well known to help reduce congestion and cold symptoms, Tea Tree can be a good choice if a fungal or strong bacterial or viral infection is suspected - and you can't seem to shake it. Diffuse, breathe in directly from the bottle, or do a steam tent with Tea Tree - and you can certainly put a drop of Euaclyptus, Lavender or Frankincense in the diffuser or steam tent to help!
7) STIMULATE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM. Along with a number of essential oils, Tea Tree can help support and stimulate your immune system. Either diffuse, or you could blend it with a carrier oil or cream directly to the skin. Tea Tree can help with such conditions as recovery from scabies, shingles and even bug bites.