TEA TREE OIL: ADVANTAGES AND USES FOR HEALTH

TEA TREE oil one of the essential oil known for its several health benefits. It is also known as melaleuca oil. It is extracted from the leaves of the tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia. The oil has a characteristic pungent fragrance of something similar to camphor.

Tea tree employs antioxidant activity and has the characteristic of broad spectrum anti-microbial activity. In other words, tea tree has the property of limiting the growth of bacteria, virus, fungus related with various skin infections. It is also known for its disinfectant role as well.

100% undiluted or “neat” oil form is widely available in both online and offline market.

This article focuses on some of the everyday uses of tea tree essential oil for our body.

1. Treats acne and other skin infection

Tea tree oil is a great rescue for the acne breakouts on your skin. The composition of the tea tree oil helps in reducing sebum production by unclogging the pores. Thereby, reducing the acne and preventing its reoccurrence as well.

Use:

Application of 5% tea tree oil on the acne only, for overnight tends to treat your acne. Also, two drops of tea tree oil mixed with aloe vera gel acts as a good massage cream post face scrubbing. This will help your skin from any further breakouts.

Face wash with tea tree oil as the active ingredient have been found equally effective as that of benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is one of the prescribed medication against acne.

2. Effective against dandruff

Tea tree oil helps in reducing dandruff naturally. Studies have found its utilization in treating mild to moderate dandruff caused as a result of yeast infection. Regular use of tea tree oil infused shampoo for four weeks assists in reducing the itchiness and inflammation instigated due to dandruff.

Its usage has been to improve the condition of cradle cap in infants. But one should definitely consult a doctor before using it. One should check herself or himself for any senstivity issues against this oil.

3. Treats head lice

The essential oil from Tea tree assists in killing head lice. The tea tree oil lice treatment offers one of the best herbal treatment for this problem. This is possible because of tea tree oil’s disinfectant and antiseptic properties.

If you are suffering from head lice, you can massage your scalp with few drops of this essential oil mixed with any carrier oil like coconut or olive.

4.  Assists in reducing inflammation

This essential oil reduces skin inflammation. So, one can utilize it in various conditions of psoriasis, dandruff, sunburn or acne that involve inflammation as one of the associated symptoms. 5% dilution of this oil proves effective against such conditions.

5. Effective against Athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the feet and is contagious in nature. Symptoms of athlete’s foot or tinea pedis are itching, cracking, blisters, peeling can be relieved by the use of tea tree oil treatment. The antifungal and antibacterial properties of tea tree oil prove beneficial against other fungal infections of the skin also like ringworm and candidiasis.

6. Treats nail fungus

Use of tea tree oil alone or in combination with some other herbal ingredient works great as a part of herbal treatment against nail fungus. The regular use of this essential oil helps in fighting and spreading of nail fungal infection due to its antifungal action.

7. Insect repellent

The fragrance of tea tree essential oil can be used as insect repellent for keeping pests at bay. Studies have proved their insecticidal and repellent properties against some flies. So, one can use this as a natural insect repellent and also it can be used as a natural deodorant.

So, one can easily utilize the tea tree oil and get benefit from its several properties. But sensitivity test can be done prior to its application on skin. Also, its ingestion should be completely avoided because it may prove toxic to our health.

Snigdha

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