The Power of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has many uses for your health and around the home.  One of the best things about it is that it is inexpensive!

What Is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea tree oil is also called melaleuca oil.  It is made from the leaves of the tea tree plant (Melaleuca alternifolia), a member of the myrtle tree family, which is native to Australia. The name was coined by British explorer Lieutenant James Cook in the 1770s, when he saw native Australians brewing tea using the leaves from the tree. Later on, he brewed his own batch of tea, and gave it to his crew to prevent scurvy.

According to the University of Sydney, numerous aboriginal communities along the east coast of Australia have a long historical use of tea tree as an antiseptic for skin conditions. They simply crushed the tea tree leaves and applied it to cuts, burns, and infections.

In the 1920s, Arthur Penfold, an Australian state government chemist, published a series of papers on tea tree oil's antiseptic properties that this oil's benefits became widely known. Tea tree oil can be purchased with a clear to very pale golden or yellow color.  It has a fresh, camphor-like scent.

Uses of Tea Tree Oil:

Tea tree oil has antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties.   Tea tree oil is now added to soaps, shampoos, lotions, and other personal care products. 

1.  Toothbrush cleaner – A drop of tea tree oil can disinfect your toothbrush, which is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

2.  Mold treatment – Mix a drop with a cup of water, spray on moldy areas, and then wipe clean. For an all-natural disinfectant, you can also sprinkle a few drops of tea tree oil along with baking soda on your bathroom or kitchen surfaces. 

3.  Natural pest control – The strong smell of tea tree oil naturally repels ants and other insects.  

4.  Laundry freshener – Adding a few drops of this oil during the wash cycle will make your laundry smell crisper and kill organisms lurking in your washer. 

5.  Tea tree oil has also been used to; remove makeup, treat warts, treat acne, treat fungal infections, treat bacterial infections, treat athlete's foot, treat dandruff, treat head colds and congestion, treat lice and treat gingivitis.

Is Tea Tree Oil Safe?

The answer is generally yes, as long as it is applied topically in appropriate doses and NOT swallowed. This oil may irritate your skin, especially if used for the first time. It is best to start with low concentrations until you figure out your tolerance.

It's also a good idea to determine if you have an allergy to tea tree oil before using it. Apply a small amount to your inner arm to see if any reaction occurs.   Using tea tree oil at full strength can cause skin irritation, which is why it is often diluted with other natural ingredients, such as raw honey or coconut oil.

The NCCAM recommends avoiding oxidized oil, which has been exposed to air, because it may trigger allergies more than fresh tea tree oil.  Avoid using undiluted tea tree oil to avoid irritation as well. Instead, use it in gel, cream, or lotion form. Look for an all-natural topical product that incorporates tea tree oil in safe quantities.

Risks of Tea Tree Oil:

Tea tree oil contains varying amounts of 1,8–cineole, a skin irritant that may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. The rashes are usually mild and itchy, but may also lead to blistering. Serious allergic reactions may also occur. There are other reported instances of dizziness and swelling in his throat. 

DO NOT swallow or ingest tea tree oil. It may cause severe reactions, such as rashes, blood cell abnormalities, diarrhea, stomachache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, hallucinations, and ataxia (loss of muscle control in the arms and legs).

Tea tree oil may also be toxic to pets if ingested. Veterinary toxicologists found that large amounts of undiluted tea tree oil applied to the skin of cats and dogs caused a hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction.

If you are allergic to eucalyptol, use TTO with caution, as many formulas are mixed with eucalyptol.

For More Information:

http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/tea-tree-oil.aspx?x_cid=20140706_ranart2_facebookdoc