Herbs For Health: Tea Tree Oil
Herbs For Health: Tea Tree Oil
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Per Wikipedia:
Tea tree oil, or melaleuca oil, is an essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odor and a color that ranges from pale yellow to nearly colorless and clear. [1] It is taken from theleaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, which is native to Southeast Queensland and the Northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia.
Tea Tree Oil is one of my favorite essential oils. It is so versatile it can even be used in household cleaning products. Among the many properties Tea Tree Oil is know for, here are just a few:
- antibacterial
- antifungal
- anti-inflammatory
- antimicrobial
- antiparasitic
- antiseptic
You get the idea? It is powerful stuff. Just a few drops is all that is required. Combine Tea Tree Oil with water in a spray bottle and you have a disinfectant for bathroom surfaces or any other surface that needs disinfecting.
When you look at the natural properties of Tea Tree you can easily make the associations for using it. Think foot fungus, cuts & scrapes, and even dandruff – add a few drops to your shampoo.
You will add this oil to water, salves, shampoo, and other carrier oils. I love adding Tea Tree Oil to my bath and soaking in it.
The amount of oil you use is dependent on what you are using it for. If you are making a disinfectant spray and diluting with water, then you will use more than if you are adding it to your shampoo or to a salve.
Per Mountain Rose Herbs:
“Of Interest: In World War ll cutters and producers of tea tree were exempt from military service until enough essential oil had been accumulated. It was issued to each soldier and sailor for them to treat tropical infections and other problems of warfare, including wounds.”
When the herbal renaissance began in the 1970’s Tea Tree Oil began to make a comeback along with it.
You can find Tea Tree Oil as an ingredient in many personal care products, everything from hair gel to lotions, soaps, and shampoos.
If you are looking to cut back on chemical use in your daily life, consider making Tea Tree Oil one of your main staples.
Did You Know?
Cilantro may be good as a water purifier. Check out this article that notes the research being done.
Filed in: Herbs For Health
I am a avid lover of herbal tea. Tea tree oil, even thou it's not tea, is something I have used every now and then. I am aware of the many good qualities it posses. However, it is always a good idea to be reminded of what some of those may be from time to time. Now I need to go get a fresh supply. 🙂
Interestingly enough I am not a tea drinker. I take my herbal meds as a tincture, capsule or gel cap. 🙂
I use tea tree oil. I also use coconut oil. The Lauric Acid in coconut oil Can Kill Bacteria, Viruses and Fungi, Helps to reduce Infections. There are so many wonderful herbals out there.
I agree. Coconut oil is another good one.
Once again, my dad has always been a user of tea tree oil. Lately he's moved to "grape seed extract", but there seems to be some controversy of whether the chemicals used to extract it are antibacterial or if it's the extract itself. Sounds like tea tree oil doesn't have the same controversy so it might be the way to go.
No controversy around Tea Tree oil. 🙂
I like that it can be in place of household cleaners. Many of the chemical cleaners really bother my eyes and lungs.
Yeah, I am really sensitive to chemicals as well.
I guess I've had my head in the sand because I didn't know about tea tree oil. I just looked in up on webmd.com and it verifies everything you say. I will definitely look into it. Thanks for putting it on my radar screen.
Tea Tree Oil is a huge asset. It is a popular ingredient in many personal care products.
I have heard great things about Tea Tree Oil but I haven't ever used it.
Are you sure you haven't used it? It is a pretty common ingredient in personal care products these days.
twitted this today, 28/09
Thank you!
Agree with you that tea tree oil is beneficial. If you have a teenager with acne it can do the trick.
That's a great use for it!
Whoa! I didn't know you had an interest in this?!! So awesome!! Tea tree oil is something my mother always used and uses. I never got into it, though I have always wanted to. I can see using it to clean counters and stuff, and I really liked the idea of soaking in it. I actually like the smell. Reminds me of mama. 🙂 (who is also a grandmother so it's fitting).
My daughter uses it to help keep her face clear at times. One of the things I have heard about it though, it is a source of estrogen. This is something worth watching for.