Facts About Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil comes from the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree which is in the Myrtle family. It has been used for centuries as a treatment for many ailments. It is now produced commercially as a household cleaner and is put into pet products as well.

History

• The Australian aborigines have used tea tree oil for thousands of years. They brew the leaves and stems into a tea and inhale the vapors to cure coughs and congestion. They break the leaves up to make poultices to treat cuts and abrasions. The British explorer Captain Cook found the aborigines using the tea in the 1770s, and started requiring the men on his ships to use this "miracle tea" to cure and ward off scurvy and other ailments. Later, he began mixing it with Spruce needles to make beer. During WWII, the Australian military required all first aid kits to include tea tree oil because of the many uses. Recently, it has been used to aid the soldiers in Iraqi deserts, by repelling sand fleas and healing the bites they cause.

Health Benefits

• Tea tree oil has a multitude of uses. It has triple antibiotic qualities, meaning it kills bacteria, fungus and infection. It has been known to treat acne effectively, and when used as a poultice or in a bath, it can help with arthritis pain and muscle aches. In dental care, it can kill bacteria in the mouth when mixed with toothpaste, aiding in the fight against gingivitis, and as a breath freshener. When gargled, it can cure throat infections and make a good mouth wash. It can be used to treat asthma, colds, flues, and bronchitis when steeped into boiling water and inhaling the steam. The anti-fungal qualities help fight off nail fungi and athlete's foot, warts, and other ailments of the skin and nails. It also helps with dandruff, lice, yeast infections, thrush, boils and vaginitis. Because of the many medicinal uses, it is becoming more readily found in pharmacies and health food stores, as well as discount and department stores.

Myths and Warnings

• There are a few myths associated with tea tree oil as with other natural cures. The main myth is that it causes boys to grow breasts. An Australian research report has dispelled this myth saying this occurrence is probably genetic or caused by hormones used in food consumption. Another myth is that, since it's all natural, it must be safe. In reality, when ingested it can be toxic, so it's not recommended for use with children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Some people can be allergic to the topical uses, and full-strength usage can cause redness or burning. If your skin becomes irritable or redness occurs with use, you can solve this problem by diluting the strength with water, baby oil, or other creams or lotions.

Other Uses

• Tea tree oil is so readily usable in humans, it has spread to using it in animals as well. In dogs, it can repel and kill fleas, and cure mange. In all animals, it can repel flies and other biting insects. Since it can be toxic when ingested, and cats and kittens lick their fur, it is not suggested for use with this animal. Today, one can find tea tree oil being used in many household cleaners such as soaps, laundry fabric softeners, brass and silver cleaners, furniture polishes, window cleaners, whiteners and stain removers. Its antibacterial properties makes it useful as bathroom cleaners, air fresheners and odor removers, as well as, disinfectants.

Features

• In many parts of the world, the tea tree can be a nuisance, as it grows rapidly, overtaking other foliage. Some species are small and scraggly looking, while others are grown in tropical areas, making them lush and green. With its medicinal uses, as well as its other uses and benefits, it is easy to see why it's sometimes called the wonder plant. It's being used to replace many pharmaceutical and unnatural chemicals.