- Tea Tree Oil and Its Many Uses
By Matt Johnson
Tea tree oil is an essential
oil known for its medicinal properties. Native to the New South
Wales, Australia steam distillation of the leaves of the tree
Melaleuca alternifolia helps obtain tea tree oil. Among the 100
compounds contained in the oil terpinen-4-ol mainly accounts
for most of the antimicrobial actions.
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Tea tree oil is a clear to very
yellow or green-tinged
essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odor. These leaves were
earlier used as a substitute for tea, which is how the oil got
its name.
One should not confuse Tea tree
oil and Tea Oil (the seasoning
and cooking oil obtained from pressed seeds of the plant
Camellia oleifera).
Tea Tree oil was used in Australia
as a potent antiseptic much
before any scientific research. Tea Tree crushed leaves were
used as traditional medicine by inhaling the oils treating cold
and cough and also sprinkling them on wounds.
It was only after 1920’s
use of oil itself become popular. A
series of research papers evaluating antimicrobial properties
published by Arthur Penfold led to the popularity. The oil was
extracted using mobile, makeshift, wood-fired bush still and
plant material was hand cut on the spot. The demand was very
high till World War II and ebbed after the war mainly due to
development of effective antibiotics and interest in natural
products. However, the interest in natural essential oils was
rekindled in 1970s and 1980s and its demand has surged for uses
in medicinal and cosmetic uses. Further studies in the recent
time support the use of tea tree oil in skin care and various
aliments. |
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Here are glimpses of the uses of
this wondrous oil:
• Tea Tree Oil Acne: A study
done in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Department of Dermatology
proved Tea Tree oil as very effective in treatment of moderate
acne.
• Inhaled tea tree oil helps
breathing easier by “breaking up congestion”. It can
also minimize the symptoms of flu, cold, sore throat and systemic
fungal infection.
• Dandruff: Tea tree shampoo
helped significantly reduce dandruff symptoms after 4 weeks of
use. This was reveled in a study done on 126 people with mild
to moderate dandruff. This is due to its ability to treat Malassezia
furfur, the general common cause of the dandruff.
• Athlete’s Foot: A
study to cure athlete’s foot was done and 50% tea tree oil
solution and placebo was used. After two daily applications for
4 weeks, tea tree oil was found to be significantly more effective
than placebo.
• Toenails and Fungal Infection:
Another study found that 100% tea tree oil was as effective on
toenail fungus infection as was the standard antifungal medication
of 1% clotrimazole solution.
• Tea tree oil is also effective
against candidiasis and other vaginal infections.
• It can also be used as
a bath additive and also may control bacteria in spas and pools.
• Tea Tree oil is also used
in cosmetic products to make tea tree soap and shampoo.
• It has also been used
in treatments for eye aliment and blepharitis.
• It is also used in toothpastes,
mouth washes for curing bad breath and gum diseases.
• It is also effective in
treating minor wounds, insect bites soothe sunburn and ear infection.
• Tea Tree oil diluted solution
is also sold as to cure fungal and bacterial infection for pet
fish.
These are just the few of its
uses and the list surely goes on. Tea tree oil is a amazing gift
from mother nature which we can put to a plethora of uses. |
