Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil Benefits

Tea tree oil comes from the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia plant, which is why it is also often called "melaleuca oil." It is one of the most widely used essential oils thanks to its well-documented ability to kill various strains of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Indeed, it is said that Australian soldiers each carried a bottle of Tea tree oil as an antiseptic and antibacterial during World War II to help fend off infections. Tea tree oil contains over 100 different active chemical compounds, with terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol being the most biologically active. These compounds can travel through the air to the pores of the skin and mucous membranes to provide benefits like kill germs, bacteria, and viruses, fight infections and relieve all sorts of skin conditions. 

Aromatically speaking, tea tree oil smells fresh, woody, earthy, and herbaceous. While it is not the most obviously agreeable fragrance because it has a distinct medicinal quality, it is a scent most people usually get used to after a while of using it. Tea tree blends well with other oils such as bergamot, cypress, eucalyptus, grapefruit, juniper, lavender, lemon, marjoram, nutmeg, pine, rose, rosemary, and spruce.

Benefits of Tea Tree Essential Oil 

• Aids Wound Healing 
• Fights Bacterial, Fungal, & Viral Infections
• Promotes Hair & Scalp Health (Resolves Stubborn Dandruff)
• Supports Respiratory Tract Infections
• Soothes Acne & Other Skin Conditions

Tea Tree Essential Oil Therapeutic Properties 

Tea tree oil has many benefits and can be used to make all sorts of homemade cleaning products, including disinfectant sprays, cleaning solutions, detergents, and washes. It can also be added to cosmetic products for the hair, skin, and nails, diffused to kill bacteria, mold, and viruses in the home, or applied topically to treat skin irritation and infections, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, and many others. Furthermore, tea tree oil effectively treats S. aureus infections, Streptococcal pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, and E. coli infections, as well as the symptoms associated with these infections.

Using Essential Oils

Tea tree oil is generally well tolerated when used aromatically and topically and does not typically cause side effects. Tea tree oil should never be applied to sensitive areas of the skin, including close to the eyes, nose, and mucous membranes in general. Those with sensitive skin should do a patch test before using tea tree oil for the first time. Lastly, it is very important to note that Tea Tree oil is highly toxic to pets and shouldn't be diffused around them or used on them.