| Tea tree, MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA, native to | | | | be of no use? The only things you find they have |
| Australia, is a tree or shrub with needle like leaves | | | | lightened are your pockets? Well, don't panic, help is |
| similar in appearance to cypress with heads of sessile | | | | at hand, Tea Tree oil can be used to treat a variety |
| pale flowers. The popular tea tree oil is derived from | | | | of medical problems. A great remedy to soothe your |
| this tree. The aborigines of Australia have been | | | | sinuses; dab a drop of tea tree oil around your nose |
| known to have used the tea tree oil to treat a range | | | | can help clear up blocked sinuses. |
| of ailments from colds, sores to acne and even | | | | Add a few drops in a steam bath or vaporizer and |
| whooping cough. | | | | inhale, a great relief for persistent colds and cough. |
| Extensively used in aromatherapy, the leaves when | | | | Regular use of tea tree oil has been found to be |
| crushed release essential oils of varying amounts and | | | | effective in treating Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, |
| constituents. The oil is so potent that it can be | | | | cough, sinusitis and even tuberculosis. |
| diluted up to many times its volume and it still | | | | Tea tree oil is a great general disinfectant and can be |
| manages to retain its effectiveness all the same. | | | | effectively used to treat genito-urinary tract |
| Although the benefits of tea tree oil are numerous, | | | | infections such as thrush, vaginitis, cystitis and pruitis. |
| for beauty treatments, it's been found effective in | | | | Tea tree oil has properties that act as a immune |
| skin and hair care. The following sections describe the | | | | booster. It helps equip the body to fight off a host |
| uses of Tea Tree Oil for skin care and hair care. | | | | of infections. Using tea tree oil is particularly effective |
| Tea tree oil for skin care | | | | if the body is already in a weakened condition due to |
| Tea tree oil has been used effectively to treat acne, | | | | illness, stress or prolonged treatment-involving |
| abscess, athlete's foot, blisters, burns, cold sores, | | | | antibiotics that lead to a reduction of the body's |
| insect bites, oily skin, rashes, spots, warts and | | | | natural resistance. |
| wounds. You can use tea tree oil to cure sunburns, | | | | Using tea tree oil prior to a surgical operation or for |
| diaper rash, toenail infections and problems of smelly | | | | those suffering from long-drawn debilitating illness has |
| feet. | | | | been found to be beneficial. The anti-fungal, |
| Tea tree oil for hair care | | | | anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties have seen tea |
| Add a few drops of Tea tree oil to your regular | | | | tree oil being used extensively in soaps, toothpastes, |
| shampoo to treat hair problems like persistent | | | | deodorants, disinfectants, gargles, germicides, |
| dandruff, itchy-scalp and even prevent head-lice. | | | | aftershaves and colognes. Tea tree oil is safe to use, |
| Massage it in, leave it on for 5-7 minutes and rinse | | | | as it is non-toxic and non-irritant. |
| off. Adding a few drops in pet shampoo/bath helps | | | | Although tea tree oil has no known side effects, |
| keep tics and rashes at bay. | | | | some individuals may be sensitive to it. This calls for |
| Other benefits of tea tree oil | | | | consideration of the strength of tea tree oil and |
| Fed-up with allopathic medicines? Packets of | | | | should never be used undiluted on the body and |
| antibiotics that have gone down your throat seem to | | | | particularly on sensitive areas. |