Benefits of tea tree oil

The many uses of tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is one of the most important compounds in the world of traditional medicine, useful for treating such diverse conditions as dandruff, athlete’s foot and acne.  There are many products containing tea tree oil on the market, and they have a number of important uses.  In addition, tea tree oil can be purchased as a pure essential oil.  This essential oil can be added to commercial shampoos for dandruff protection, or it can be applied to the skin to treat acne outbreaks.

The history of tea tree oil

The tea tree is known to the world of science as melaleuca alternifolia, and it grows wild in Australia and some parts of Asia.  The leaves of the tea tree were used by the indigenous peoples of Austalis and Asia to make a sort of tea. It is that traditional use that gave the tea tree its common name.

The oil of the tea tree has long been used by indigenous peoples in the countries where it is grown, and lately modern science has begun to take an interest in the many uses of tea tree oil.  Where aboriginal peoples would use this tea tree oil to heal cuts and infections on the skin, today tea tree oil is used in the treatment of acne and other common skin conditions.  The reason for this effectiveness is that tea tree oil contains compounds known as terpenoids, which have been proven effective in killing both bacterial and fungal infections.

It is this fungicidal property that makes tea tree oil so effective in treating athlete’s foot.  Athlete’s foot is a common fungal condition, and tea tree oil has been shown to be very effective at treating athlete’s foot and other similar conditions.

Tea tree oil and healing

TTO has also proven effective at treating minor cuts and injuries.  Australian aboriginies have long used tea tree oil to treat minor scrapes and injuries, and tea tree oil continues to be used for this purpose today.

TTO has also been proven effective as a topical antiseptic, and has shown promise in treating yeast infections, boils, lice and even yeast infections.

TTO is available in a wide variety of preparations, including shampoos, creams, lotions, ointments and soaps.  Tea tree oil can be used as well as a pure essential oil, and this pure oil is often applied to acne lesions to help them heal more quickly.  Pure tea tree essential oil can also be added to shampoo to make an effective and less costly alternative to dandruff shampoo.

Other uses of TTO

Other preparations of tea tree oil include as a spot treatment for toenail fungus, or diluted into a mouthwash for the treatment of thrush, also known as oral yeast.  When gargling with a mouthwash containing TTO, however, it is important to not swallow the solution, since high concentrations of tea tree oil can be poisonous.

While allergies and allergic reactions to tea tree oil are rare, it is important to be on the lookout for symptoms of allergy and sensitivity.  Such symptoms can include skin rashes and itchy skin.  Anyone experiencing these symptoms should discontinue use of tea tree oil.