Tea tree oil, what is it? What is it for and the main benefits

Essential oils are very popular lately, being used for different purposes. One of these that is not yet as well known, but should be, is tea tree oil. Extracted from an Australian tree, popularly known as tea tree, this oil has medicinal properties that are very beneficial for our health.

Tea tree oil contains antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties, among others, making it a great ally to treat various problems. Therefore, this oil has several benefits for the skin, hair, nails and many others. With a yellowish tone and characteristic smell, this oil has been used for thousands of years by Australian aborigines to treat wounds and other illnesses.

Therefore, today we will learn more about tea tree oil, what it is for and, of course, the various benefits of this essential oil.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the tree. Melaleuca alternifolia, native to Australia. The plant belongs to the Myrtaceae family, and despite being a native Australian plant, today it is also cultivated in Europe, Asia and South America, flourishing mainly in swamp areas.

Although tea tree oil is becoming popular now, it has long been used by native Australians in traditional medicine. So, in ancient times, tea tree oil was used to treat various illnesses, due to its various medicinal properties. These have only now been proven, thanks to various scientific studies regarding the plant and its oil.

Today it is known that the oil has very powerful organic components, which give it bactericidal, fungicidal, healing and anti-inflammatory properties, which promote a series of health benefits. Among the main compounds, we can mention terpinen-4-ol, a phenol with a strong cleaning, purifying and anesthesia action that acts to combat bacteria and viruses. Additionally, it has a-terpineol, a type of monoterpene alcohol that is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

What is tea tree oil good for?

Therefore, tea tree oil is widely used, mainly as an antiseptic, due to its properties that act against bacteria, viruses and fungi. But beyond that, tree oil can be used for several other purposes, as we will see below:

Disinfect wounds

So, as previously mentioned, tea tree oil is a great natural antiseptic, capable of eliminating various bacteria, such as E. coli, S pneumoniae, H influenzae, S. aureus, among others capable of causing infections in wounds. Therefore, in addition to disinfecting wounds, the essential oil also helps to accelerate healing there, in addition to reducing inflammation.

In this case, the recommendation is to use a drop of tea tree oil in a spoonful of almond oil and apply it to the wound and cover it. Repeat the procedure twice a day until the wound heals completely.

Helps with acne treatment

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, tea tree oil also contributes to the treatment of acne. This is because it helps combat the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, which causes the inflammatory process in hair follicles, responsible for the formation of acne lesions.

For this purpose, the ideal is to use a gel or fluid that contains tea tree in its composition, or mix 1 ml of essential oil in 9 ml of water and apply to the skin affected by acne, once or twice a day.

Treatment of fungi and mycoses

As it has fungicidal properties, this essential oil is very effective in treating nail fungus. Therefore, it can be used both alone and in combinations with other medications. To do this, mix 2 or 3 drops of the oil in another vegetable oil, such as almond or coconut, and apply to nails affected by fungus.

It is also very effective in treating athlete’s foot, a more resistant and difficult to treat mycosis. Therefore, you can enhance treatment with antifungal medications with tea tree oil. So, mix half a cup of arrowroot powder and half a cup of baking soda and add 50 drops of tea tree oil. Finally, apply the mixture to the affected area twice a day.

Eliminate dandruff

Another great use of tea tree oil is to treat dandruff. It is a great remedy for eliminating excess hair, improving the appearance of the scalp and relieving itching in the area.

The main way to use tea tree oil to treat dandruff is by adding a few drops of the oil to a shampoo designed for dandruff and washing your hair frequently. Furthermore, there are already shampoos suitable for dandruff that contain the ingredient in their formula, so that’s your choice.

Natural repellent

The oil can also be used as a natural insect repellent. In fact, it may even be more effective than several industrialized products for this. Furthermore, it can also be used to combat lice, preventing infestation and contributing to their elimination. Thereby relieving the itching caused by these small parasites.

Therefore, to repel insects, you can make a natural spray by mixing tea tree oil with other essential oils such as lavender or citronella and diluting it in almond oil and using it as a regular insect repellent. And to combat lice, the ideal is to add 20 drops of tea tree oil to your daily shampoo.

Fight bad breath

Tea tree oil is also very effective in combating microorganisms that cause cavities and bad breath. This is thanks to its powerful antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

So, to use it for this purpose, the tip is to make a homemade elixir against bad breath. Therefore, mix a drop of tea tree oil in a cup of warm water and rinse your mouth for 30 seconds, as you would with a traditional mouthwash.

Main benefits of tea tree oil

So, as we saw above, tea tree oil has several important uses, and the consequences of this are its benefits. Such as:

• Stimulates wound healing
• Cleans and disinfects wound
• Improves the appearance of burns and skin blemishes
• Can be used to treat acne
• Moisturizing action
• Helps in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis
• Controls the oiliness of the hair
• Protects and strengthens nails against fungus
• Combat bad breath and bad odor

You can easily find tea tree oil in health food stores or pharmacies. However, it is important to pay attention to the label to make sure that it is a 100% natural product, that is, free from the addition of ingredients that could modify its effects.

Contraindications and side effects

Despite being a natural substance, with several beneficial properties for health, certain care must be taken when using tea tree oil. Starting with the fact that it should not be ingested, since it is toxic orally. Therefore, it can only be used externally, and when used on the skin, it must be diluted with other ingredients, to avoid skin irritation and other problems.

Remembering that any substance used incorrectly and without supervision can cause some type of reaction or allergy to the skin, especially when used in excess. Hence the need to use the oil mixed with other components before applying directly to the skin.

Furthermore, due to the lack of studies proving its safety, tea tree oil is not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is also important to pay attention to other factors, such as time and storage, as the oil should not be exposed to sunlight or humidity, as both can influence its composition.

Normally, its use does not present side effects, but that does not mean that they cannot appear, even if rarely. When this happens, you may notice skin irritations, allergic reactions, itching, burning, redness and dryness of the skin.

So, before using tea tree oil or any other product, it is always a good idea to speak to your dermatologist to avoid any inconvenience and inconvenience.

Anyway, what did you think of this article? In fact, take the opportunity to also check out Ojon Oil – What it is, benefits for your hair and how to use it.

Sources: Your Health Your Health Live Well My Life

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