Therapeutic Benefits of Tea-Tree
The benefits of Tea-Tree for medicinal, pharmaceutical, home, and travel use. Learn why Tea-Tree is an extremely versatile essential oil used by not just aromatherapists but the by the army, navy, nurses, doctors, families, and backpackers. Learn some of the cosmetic and medicinal use of Tea Tree.
What is Tea-Tree?
Tea Tree Oil comes from the leaves of the small Tea-Tree Plant ( Melaleuca alternifolia) this tree is said to originate from the warmer areas of Australia. So the Tea Tree plant needs a more warm climate to grow.
Although Melaleuca alternifolia is known as the tea tree, do not confuse Tea Tree with Cajeput, Niauouli, Kanuka or Manuka oil extracted obtained from other Melaleuca species. Or the plant that grows leaves used to make black, green and oolong tea.
What Is Tea-Tree Essential Oil?
Tea-Tree Essential Oil is the essential oil extracted or distilled from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant. It is highly concentrated and highly potent so should be used sparingly and safely. Tea tree oil has been used in natural medicine for centuries by the Aborigines. One way they would prepare and use it was crush the Melaleuca alternifolia leaves and then apply the oil to the skin. Or through inhalation to treat colds and coughs.
When buying TeaTree Essential Oil for therapeutic use always use a high-grade essential oil like NYR’s Organic Tea-Tree Pure Essential Oil.
Safe Use Of Tea-Tree Essential Oil
NEVER USE TEA TREE INTERNALLY
DO NOT USE ON BABIES
Never apply tea tree oil directly to skin. You should always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil, such as almond oil, apricot kernel coconut oil, or olive oil.
For every 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil, add 12 drops of carrier oil.
Blend 1 drop of TTO to at least 20 drops of carrier oil for children over 7 years.
Or 1 drop of TTO to the bath for children over 5 years.
Be careful to avoid the eye area
Before use do a patch test to make sure your skin doesn’t react to the tea tree oil.
Natural Components of Tea-Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Here are just some of the natural components of Tea-Tree
has antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and an antineoplastic properties
antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative
antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-insomnia
1,8-Cineole
anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, mucolytic, broncholytic
antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, sedative.
Common Uses Of Tea-Tree
Tea-Tree is not just widely used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. Tea Tree began being used by the Australian army during World War II, the navy soon added Tea Tree Oil to their first aid kits as an official germicide.
It is widely used to help treat
- Acne
- Athletes Foot
- Boils
- Bites, Stings
- Candida Albicans
- Cuts, Scrapes, Wounds
- Dandruff
- Lice
- Psoriasis
- Nail Fungus
- Ringworm
- Warts
Tea-Tree in its highest grade is commonly used in
- Cosmetics, Skincare
- Deodorants
- Hand Sanitizers
- Household Cleaners
- Insect Repellent
- Mouth wash
- Soap, Shampoo
- Wash Mould Of Vegetables and Fruits
Tea-Tree is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry particularly for its anesthetic, ant-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. There also has been a huge surge in the use of Tea-Tree Oil in cosmetics over the last decade especially because of its wide skincare benefits to reduce acne and fungal issues. That is why the tea-tree market is graded into both Pharma-Cosmetic Grade and Therapeutic Grade. The fact that Tea Tree has so many therapeutic benefits especially being antiviral, antifungal, and antiseptic it is assumed its market use will continue to increase especially in more developed countries.
That is why Tea-Tree Essential Oil is something I believe everyone should have in both their travel and home first aid kit. A small 10 ml bottle of Tea Tree Oil is extremely inexpensive, versatile, easy to pack and store, especially for backpackers who require a lightweight and small travel first-aid kit.