| Tea Tree oil is gaining more mainstream popularity. | | | | If you have never smelled neat tea tree oil, prepare |
| Long used in the aromatherapy industry, its health | | | | yourself. It is incredibly strong and smells of a |
| benefits are being touted by many companies who | | | | disinfectant. Some people enjoy the smell, but most |
| include it in their products. | | | | people find it to be displeasing. However, tea tree |
| What is tea tree oil? Its Latin name is Melaleuca | | | | can be blended with other essential oils to work with |
| alternifolia and it comes from a tree. Melaleuca trees | | | | and mask the odor. Tea tree oil is used for its |
| are native to Australia although they are now also | | | | medicinal properties - not its scent! |
| propagated in California. The common name 'tea tree' | | | | Tea tree oil is only used on the skin. It should never |
| was given when British explorers used the leaves to | | | | be taken internally, as it can be very toxic to the |
| brew tea. It's antiseptic use has been in existence for | | | | liver if ingested. If using a toothpaste with tea tree |
| hundreds of years, but has only recently been | | | | oil, take extra care not to swallow any of the |
| scientifically studied (starting in 1929). The 'official' | | | | toothpaste and is not recommended for children. |
| studying of tea tree oil led to ever increasing interest. | | | | Although tea tree oil can be used neat on the skin, it |
| Tea tree oil was even supplied in first aid kits to | | | | is best used in dilution to prevent sensitivity from |
| soldiers in the Australian army. | | | | occurring. |
| After harvesting, the leaves of the tree are put into | | | | Some home uses for tea tree oil: |
| a still and pressurized steam is forced through them. | | | | As an acne treatment, mix tea tree oil with aloe vera |
| The steam, which extracts the essential oils, then is | | | | gel - using 5% tea tree to 95% aloe vera gel. Apply |
| cooled and the tea tree oil is separated from the | | | | to clean skin. |
| water. | | | | Disinfectant spray: Mix a 5% dilution of tea tree oil |
| Some of the reported benefits of tea tree oil include: | | | | with rubbing alcohol. Pour into a spray bottle and use |
| antiseptic and anti-fungal properties. Antiseptic means | | | | this mixture to disinfect and deodorize garbage cans. |
| that it will kill bacteria, such as those that cause acne. | | | | You can also use this spray in your washing machine |
| Tea tree oil has been shown to be as effective as | | | | to prevent mold and mildew. |
| benzoyl peroxide in controlling acne, without the | | | | For insect bites: Mix a 5% dilution of tea tree oil with |
| irritation and skin drying that accompanies that | | | | aloe vera gel. Use this mixture to soothe bug bites or |
| treatment. Anti-fungal means that it will kill fungus or | | | | rashes. It will also help prevent infection. |
| yeast spores. Tea tree oil used in shampoos can | | | | The uses for tea tree oil are almost endless. As more |
| control dandruff by eliminating that fungus from the | | | | and more studies are being done, the list of the |
| scalp. | | | | benefits of tea tree oil grows even longer. |