Description
Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca, is well known for its antiseptic and wound-healing properties.
Melaleuca oil is produced by the Australian plant Melaleuca alternifolia. It has been used for at least 100 years in Australia, and medical studies have shown that it kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. As a result, it is used in cleaning products, diffused to kill toxic mold, and applied topically to heal skin issues and infections.
Tea tree is a valuable addition to your natural medicine cabinet due to its natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Properties
Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anti-infectious, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Anti-parasitic, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Antiviral, Decongestant, Digestive, Expectorant, Immune stimulant, Insecticidal, Neurotonic, Stimulant, Tissue Regenerative
Uses & Benefits
Fights acne and other skin problems
-
- Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil may help treat acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Improves dry scalp
-
- Tea tree oil may improve seborrheic dermatitis symptoms, which include scaly scalp patches and dandruff. It also relieves contact dermatitis symptoms.
Calm Skin Rash
-
- Tea tree oil’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties may soothe skin irritations and wounds. Tea tree oil may also reduce inflammation, heal skin infections, and shrink wounds. It can soothe sunburns, sores, and insect bites.
Fight bacteria, fungi, and viruses
-
- Tea tree oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties so it helps treat MRSA and athlete’s foot.
- It also inhibits the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. These bacteria cause pneumonia, UTIs, respiratory illness, bloodstream infections, strep throat, sinus infections, and impetigo.
- Tea tree oil’s antifungal properties may help fight or prevent candida, jock itch, athlete’s foot, and toenail fungus.
- Tea tree oil can kill recurrent herpes virus and influenza, according to lab studies.
- Can help remove warts.
Antibiotic resistance prevention
-
- Essential oils like tea tree oil and oregano oil serve as powerful antibacterial agents without side effects. Tea tree oil has a synergistic effect when combined with antibiotics, according to The Open Microbiology Journal. Essential oils may prevent antibiotic resistance, say researchers. Antibiotic resistance can lead to treatment failure, higher healthcare costs, and infection control issues.
Relieve Congestion and Respiratory Tract Infections
-
- Melaleuca leaves were once crushed and inhaled to treat coughs and colds. Traditional medicine used soaked leaves to treat sore throats. Studies show that tea tree is a top essential oil for coughs and respiratory issues.
Help treat head lice
-
- Tea tree oil can kill head lice. An Italian lab study tested tea tree oil’s effectiveness against lice and eggs.
Help treat scabies
-
- Australian researchers found that 5% tea tree oil and its active component terpinen-4-ol reduced scabies mite survival. Tea tree can heal scabies on and below the skin due to its antimicrobial properties.
Bad breath
-
- Bad breath is caused by bacteria in your mouth, tongue, throat, and tonsils. Because tea tree oil is antimicrobial, it can kill bad breath bacteria.
- After oral surgery, like a root canal, tea tree oil can help prevent bacterial or fungal infections.
- If you use melaleuca oil as a mouthwash to kill oral germs, spit it out and rinse with water.
Risks & Side Effects
- Tea tree is generally considered safe when used aromatically and topically, and it typically doesn’t cause side effects.
- If you have sensitive skin, it’s possible that you might experience a reaction. If your skin is sensitive, mix tea tree oil with an equal part of fractionated coconut oil. It is always a good idea to do a small skin patch test first on your arm or leg. Test 1 or 2 drops on a small area of your skin and wait 24 hours to see if any reaction occurs.
- Avoid using on pets. some research reported that more than 400 dogs and cats developed tremors and other nervous system problems after receiving melaleuca oil on the skin or orally.
Combinations
You Can Find It In The Following Blends
Recipes