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Tea tree essential oil is a natural remedy that has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions, infections and even dandruff. It can be found in many different forms such as tea tree oil soap, tea tree shampoo or tea tree cream. In this blog post, we will explore the wonders of tea tree essential oil and how it can help you with your everyday problems!
Table of Contents
What is tea tree oil?
The name tea tree refers to a number of different plants, all of which are members of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), including Myrtus communis and Melaleuca alternifolia.
The name may be derived from Captain James Cook’s description of one of these bushes, which he used to prepare a tea substitute. The commercial tea tree oil business began in the 1920s, when Australian chemist Arthur Penfold investigated the commercial possibilities of various native extracted oils; he found that tea tree oil had promise as an antiseptic.
Melaleuca alternifolia is the most important commercially exploited species of Melaleuca. Commercial production of tea tree oil began in Australia in the 1970s and 1980s, with many plantations located in New South Wales.
For decades, the business has grown to include a variety of other species for their extracted oil:
- Melaleuca styphelioides
- Melaleuca leucadendra in Egypt, Malaysia and Vietnam;
- Melaleuca ericifolia in Egypt;
- Melaleuca quinquenervia in the United States.
Benefits of tea tree essential oil
1. Antibacterial
The medicinal use of tea tree oils has been approved in Australia for nearly 100 years.
The oil has been used for almost a century as a healing therapy in Australia, particularly for skin disorders. It is utilized for a variety of ailments today.
The tea tree oil is well-known for its antibacterial properties.
It’s been shown to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects, and according to one study, the oil’s ability to break up bacterial cell walls accounts for its antibacterial properties. Additional investigations are needed to figure out how it works.
2. Anti-inflammatory
Tea tree oil has a high concentration of terpinen-4-ol, a compound with anti-inflammatory effects, which may help reduce inflammation.
Terpinen-4-ol was discovered to reduce inflammatory activity in animal models of mouth infection. Topically applied tea tree oil was found to be more effective than paraffin oil in decreasing swelling caused by histamine stimulation.
3. Antifungal
This has been found to be very effective against a wide range of yeasts and fungi in a study. The majority of the studies reviewed examine Candida albicans, a type of fungus that commonly affects the skin, genitals, throat, and mouth.
This study also reveals that terpinen-4-ol boosts the activity of fluorconazole, a frequently used antifungal medication, against Candida albicans strains that are resistant to it.
4. Acne
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that much of the study on the effects of topically applied tea tree oil in humans is inconclusive.
However, the oil has a number of uses for the skin. Acne is the most frequent type of skin ailment in the United States. At any one moment, it affects up to 50 million Americans.
In one research, tea tree oil gel was shown to outperform a placebo in the treatment of acne. Both total acne count and severity were improved in those who used tea tree oil.
Treatment with 5% tea tree oil gel and 5 percent benzoyl peroxide lotion in mild to moderate acne has been compared in other studies.
5. Athlete’s foot
According to one study, topical application of a tea tree oil cream reduced the symptoms of athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis. A 10 percent tea tree oil lotion was just as effective as 1 percent tolnaftate in treating fungus infections, according to another research. However, the tea tree oil was no more effective than a placebo in treating the entire infection.
Researchers compared higher doses of tea tree oil on athlete’s foot with a placebo in a recent study.
A remarkable decrease in symptoms was reported by 68% of individuals who applied 50 percent tea tree oil topically, with 64 percent achieving total cure. This was more than twice the difference between the placebo and control groups.
6. Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is an eczema caused by contact with an irritant or allergen. Tea tree oil, zinc oxide, and clobetasone butyrate were compared in the treatment of contact dermatitis.
Tea tree oil was found to be more effective than other treatments in preventing allergic contact dermatitis, according to research. It had no impact on irritant contact dermatitis, however.
Keep in mind that tea tree oil might cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people.
7. Dandruff and Cradle Cap
Tree tree oil can be used to relieve cradle cap on a baby’s scalp.
5% tea tree oil may be used to treat mild to moderate dandruff caused by the yeast Pityrosporum ovale, according to People who used a 5% tea tree oil shampoo daily for 4 weeks had greater severity reductions, as well as decreased itching and greasiness levels, when compared with a placebo.
The majority of the participants were not dissatisfied with the experience.
In one study, tea tree oil shampoo was shown to be effective in treating cradle cap in children.
Tea tree oil can cause allergies in some people. Apply a tiny amount of shampoo to the baby’s arm and rinse. If no reaction appears within 24 to 48 hours, it is okay to use the product.
8. Head lice
Because head lice are becoming increasingly resistant to conventional medicines, experts are turning to essential oils as potential alternatives.
In the treatment of head lice, researchers compared tea tree oil with nerolidol, which is a natural component found in some essential oils. The tea tree oil was more efficient at eradicating the lice, removing all 100% after 30 minutes. Nerolidol, on the other hand, was more successful at killing the eggs.
1 part to 2 parts of a combination of both substances worked best to destroy both the lice and the eggs.
9. Nail fungus
The most common nail disorder is caused by fungus. They might be tough to cure.
A cream containing 5 percent tea tree oil and 2 percent butenafine hydrochloride (a synthetic antifungal) was compared to a placebo in one study.
In the trial, 80 percent of patients who got a dose of UV-C light therapy had fungus that was gone after 16 weeks. In the placebo group, none of the people’s fungus disappeared.
Another study found that tea tree oil was effective in preventing and treating nail fungus in the laboratory.
Risks of using tea tree oil
Special Precautions and Warnings
Tea tree oil is not harmful to breast-feeding women or during pregnancy. When applied to the skin, tea tree oil is regarded safe. It’s more likely harmful if taken by mouth, however. Tea tree oil can be poisonous when taken in large doses.
Toddlers and older children: Tea tree oil should not be given to infants because of the risk of serious negative effects, such as brain damage. It has resulted in significant injury, including coma and paralysis. Applying tea tree oil topically to the skin is probably safe. It’s possible to irritate your skin, producing swelling and discomfort. It might induce dryness and irritation in people with acne.
Cross-reactions: Individuals with allergies to other plants may experience skin itching and burning when using tea tree oil.
Risks associated with ingestion
Never swallow tea tree oil as it can cause:
- severe rashes
- blood cell abnormalities
- stomach ache diarrhoea
- vomiting
- nausea
- hallucinations
- confusion
- drowsiness coma
Risks associated with topical applications
Topical application of tea tree oil has the following hazards:
Contact dermatitis from tea tree oil: If you have to stop using tea tree oil because of allergic contact dermatitis, this is what happens. According to certain research, applying pure oil rather than shampoo or cosmetics is more likely to induce this condition.
Bacteria resistance: Antibiotic use, including low-level doses of tea tree oil, may promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is a major concern among doctors.
Uses of tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has a variety of uses. Here are some examples:
Wound covering. Apply a few drops of oil to fresh wound dressing to prevent infection and inflammation.
This natural dandruff treatment is just as effective as the store-bought kind. Make a paste of tea tree oil and apply it to your hair as usual with normal shampoo.
For a treatment to reduce acne. To make a half cup of water, add 4 drops of tea tree oil. Apply it to the face with a cotton pad once daily.
Household cleaner. 20 drops of tea tree oil and a cup of water, along with a half cup of white vinegar, make up a household disinfectant. Use it as an all-purpose antimicrobial cleanser by mixing it in a spray bottle.
Blending tea tree with other oils is OK, as long as you follow the appropriate safety precautions.
Tea Tree Oil Compound blends well with these other essential oils such as Geranium Oil, Clary Sage Oil, Lemon Oil, Lavender Oil, Myrrh Oil, Rosemary Oil, Rosewood Oil, and Thyme Oil. Experiment with combining your own personal fragrance.
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