Tea Tree - Its benefits and Uses
Tea Tree was originally grown in Australia. It got its name because its bark, leaves and twigs were used by settlers and travelers as a tea substitute in olden days. Australian tea trees, are not trees at all, but rather green shrubs. Tea Tree is most often used in the form of oil, by extracting its Essential oil by steam or water distillation from leaves and twigs.
Tea tree oil is a natural anti fungal, anti bacterial and anti viral oil used for treating infections of any kind. It is not just soothing and disinfecting, it is anti-inflammatory and wound-healing as well.
Tea Tree Oil is used for a wide variety of applications like:
- Skin Care: Tea tree Oil is used for a wide variety of skin problems and infections including abscess, acne, blackheads, oily skin, blisters, burns, cuts, herpes, insect bites, rashes, spots, verrucae, warts, bed sores, wounds, corns and fingernail or toenail infections. It is also used for aromatherapy.
- Athletes Foot: It is extremely good for treating Athlete’s foot. First clean your feet thoroughly, especially between toes. Apply it directly to the feet every two weeks or mix some drops of tea tree oil to ½ ounce of olive oil. And massage between toes and feet. Tea Tree Oil is also used for treating ringworm and other infestations including lice, mites and scabies.
- Asthma: Put a few drops of tea tree oil to a warm damp cloth and breath through it for 1 or 2 minutes. Repeat this daily. Tea Tree Oil is also good for sinusitis, tuberculosis, whooping cough, bronchitis, catarrh and coughs.
- Arthritis: Tea Tree Oil can also be used for treating Arthritis. If you have swelling, add a few drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of jojoba or grapeseed oil and massage the affected area 2 or 3 times a day.
- Chicken Pox: Tea Tree Oil can be used to treat chicken pox scars. It can also be used when suffering from chickenpox to reduce itching and scratching. Apply the oil to the scars and allow it to remain for 15 minutes. Then rinse off with warm water and pat dry. Apply some good body lotion to the entire area and repeat after a few hours.
- Ear Infection: If you have earache or any kind of ear infection, add a few drops of tea tree oil to 1/4 cup of warm olive or almond oil. Put a small drop gently into the ear, by tilting head to one side. Use a cotton ball to absorb oil.
- Hair Care: To get rid of lice or dandruff, add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil to 1 ounce of shampoo. And massage into the hair. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse off with water. Repeat once in 2 or 3 days. Tea Tree Oil can also be used as a hair Conditioner to treat dry hair and itchy scalp. Mix a few drops with 1 Tbs. olive oil and one whipped egg. Leave it on hair for 5-10 minutes and then rinse.
- Deoderizer: To freshen up the air in a room, add some tea tree oil to spray bottle and mist the room. It can also be added to the humidifier, to clean, disinfect and freshen up the air.
- Cleaner: Tea Tree Oil can be added to a dishwashing soap for better cleaning of utensils. It can also be added to the Washing Machine to kill the germs and remove the smell of laundry.
- Genito-Urinary infections: Tea Tree Oil can also be used to treat thrush, vaginitis, cystitis and pruitis.
- Immuno-Stimulant Properties: Tea Tree oil can be used as a preventative remedy to help the body fight all kinds of infection. Especially in cases of weakness, stress, illness or prolonged use of antibiotics that lower the body’s natural resistance. It helps to build up strength. Its possible application in AIDS is also being studied currently.
- Other benefits: Tea tree oil is also used for making soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, disinfectants, deodorants, gargles, germicides and aftershaves.
NOTE: When using tea tree oil, remember that the concentrated oil is very strong. Never use large amounts of concentrated oil. Mix with some mild oil like olive oil. Take extra care when applying on sensitive areas.