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Are you familiar with the incredible benefits of Tea Tree oil? 

This popular essential oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is derived from the native Australian plant called Melaleuca alternifolia. It is widely used around the world as an alternative and complementary treatment for various ailments. You can easily find it in cosmetics, topical medicines, and household products, thanks to its numerous advantages (1). 

Let’s explore more about the extensive benefits of tea Tree Oil in this article and learn how to incorporate this incredible essential oil into our daily lives.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil (1)

Antimicrobial Properties

Primary Benefits: Tea tree oil exhibits strong antimicrobial activity. It inhibits the growth of various bacteria, including Escherichia coli, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Secondary Benefits: Additionally, tea tree oil also inhibits the growth of several fungi, such as Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans.

Balsamic Properties

Primary Benefits: Tea tree oil is rich in balsamic properties that help boost overall health.

Secondary Benefits: Moreover, tea tree oil helps enhance nutrient absorption and provides protection against several diseases.

Wound Healing Properties

Primary Benefits: Tea tree oil is well known to promote quick wound healing.

Secondary Benefits: Additionally, it also protects wounds from infections and helps diminish scar marks caused by eruptions, boils, pox, and acne.

Expectorant Properties

Primary Benefits: Rubbing tea tree oil on the chest has been shown to provide relief from cough, cold, congestion, and bronchitis.

Secondary Benefits: As a result, tea tree oil can be highly beneficial in alleviating various respiratory troubles associated with colds.

Insecticidal Properties

Primary Benefits: Tea tree oil is known to be an efficient insect killer. 

Secondary Benefits: Therefore, it helps repel parasites and insects like mosquitoes, fleas, lice, and flies when applied to the body.

Antiseptic Properties

Primary Benefits: Tea tree oil serves as an excellent antiseptic.

Secondary Benefits: As such, it can be applied to wounds, boils, sores, cuts, insect bites, and stings to protect against infections.

Stimulant Properties

Primary Benefits: Tea tree oil stimulates hormone secretions, blood circulation, and the immune system.

Secondary Benefits: Additionally, it also acts as a protective shield against various types of infections.

Sudorific Properties

Primary Benefits: Tea tree essential oil promotes sweating and the removal of toxins like uric acid.

Secondary Benefits: Furthermore, it also helps eliminate excess water and salts from the body and cleanses the pores.

Anti-Acne Properties

Primary Benefits: Topical application of tea tree oil gel has been shown to significantly reduce the number of inflamed and non-inflamed lesions in patients with mild to moderate acne.

Secondary Benefits: As such, tea tree oil can help clear skin texture, reduce redness and swelling of acne lesions, and lower acne severity.

Cystitis Prevention

Primary Benefits: A randomised trial found that oral administration of tea tree oil capsules effectively treats chronic idiopathic coli bacilli cystitis.

Secondary Benefits: As such, tea tree oil may help alleviate the pain, discomfort, and urinary symptoms associated with chronic coli bacilli cystitis.

Antiviral Activity

Primary Benefits: Tea tree oil exhibits potent antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2.

Secondary Benefits: In addition, it also provides protection against viral infections like the common cold, influenza, mumps, measles, and pox.

Anti-Dandruff Activity

Primary Benefits: Shampoos containing tea tree oil have been proven effective in treating mild to moderate dandruff.

Secondary Benefits: Consequently, tea tree oil can also help reduce flaking, itching, and scalp irritation that occurs due to dandruff.

Gingivitis Prevention

Primary Benefits: Tea tree oil, like chlorhexidine, is known to be highly effective against gingivitis caused by Streptococcus mutans bacteria.

Secondary Benefits: As such, tea tree oil can help improve oral health and prevent gum diseases. 

Head Lice Eradication

Primary Benefits: Owing to the compounds like phenols, phenolic ethers, ketones, and oxides, tea tree oil can significantly contribute to head lice eradication. 

Secondary Benefits: As such, it can help boost overall scalp and hair health. 

Dermatitis Treatment

Primary Benefits: Tea tree oil is highly effective against dermatitis in dogs. A cream containing 10% tea tree oil has been shown to treat various forms of dermatitis in dogs, including chronic dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, interdigital pyoderma, and skinfold pyoderma.

Secondary Benefits: As a result, tea tree oil can help provide relief and improve the overall skin health of dogs. 

The Takeaway

Tea tree oil offers a wide range of incredible benefits that can positively impact your health and well-being. 

From its potent antimicrobial properties to its ability to promote wound healing and reduce acne lesions, tea tree oil proves to be a versatile essential oil. Its effectiveness against various conditions such as vaginitis, cystitis, dandruff, and gingivitis further demonstrates its therapeutic potential. 

FAQs (1)

• What are the side effects of tea tree oil?

Tea tree oil, in some cases, may cause allergic reactions when applied topically. However, lower concentrations of the oil can help avoid these irritant reactions. 

• How can I use tea tree oil?

You can mix tea tree oil with carrier oils to apply it topically or diffuse it directly for aromatherapy. Additionally, tea tree oil is also present in various products like gels, creams, ointments, soaps, shampoos, hand sanitiser, insect repellent, deodorant and mouthwash and can be incorporated easily through these products. 

• Can tea tree oil be used as a natural remedy for insect bites?

Yes, tea tree oil acts as an efficient insect repellent and can be applied to the body to repel and protect against mosquitoes, fleas, lice, and flies.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general information and not meant to substitute any medical advice. Please consult your doctor for appropriate medical consultation.

References

1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279178729_Pharmacological_attributes_and_nutritional_benefits_of_tea_tree_oil_International_Journal_of_Biosciences_IJB

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