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| Melaleuca
alternifolia, or Australian tea tree oil as
it is more commonly known, is a native Australian
plant with many remarkable properties. When crushed
and distilled, the leaves of this plant yield a
100% natural oil which is an antiseptic, a fungicide,
and a mild solvent. |
Melaleuca alternifolia
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As
a completely natural product, tea tree oil has many
uses, some of which include:
- Medicinal
purposes
- Skin
care and hygiene
- Hair
care
- Pet
care
- Miscellaneous
uses, from insect repellent to the relief of the symptoms
of arthritis.
Tea
tree oil's major active component is terpinen-4-ol (typically
30-40%). This compound is responsible for tea tree oil's
antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Uses
of Tea Tree Oil
Tea
tree oil has many applications, due to its remarkable
properties. Examples include:
For
medicinal purposes Infections,
minor burns, cuts, sore throats, ingrown or infected
toenails, sunburn, tinea, ulcers, golden staph, cold
sores, pimples, and acne can all be treated using tea
tree oil.
Skin
care Deodorants, soaps, hand creams
and lotions, and an entire range of personal hygiene
products are available that contain tea tree oil. Its
soothing and antibacterial properties can be used to
treat nappy rash, psoriasis, acne, and many other skin
conditions.
Hair
care Anti-dandruff shampoos and
conditioners are available that use tea tree oil. Tea
tree oil can also be used to treat damaged hair.
Pet
care Some dog shampoos contain
tea tree oil.
Arthritis
Tea tree oil relieves some of the painful symptoms of
arthritis.
Other
uses Tea tree oil can be found
in toothpastes, mouthwash, and lozenges used to soothe
a sore throat. Tea tree oil's antibacterial action can
also fight bad breath, foot odour, thrush, and rashes.
More
applications of tea tree oil are still being discovered.
Benefits
of Tea Tree Oil
Tea
tree oil is a 100% natural product. It is made
entirely from a renewable natural resource and is completely
environmentally friendly. The growing of tea
trees is carefully managed to ensure that the plantation's
natural environment is undisturbed.
Although
allergic reactions to tea tree oil have been known,
their incidence is extremely low when compared
to synthetic products. Cases have been reported where
the application of tea tree oil healed an infection
that had survived a twelve-month course of antibiotics.
Australia
exports tea tree oil to many countries, and also manufactures
tea tree oil based products locally. Buying Australian
made products provides a valuable boost to this
country's exporters.
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