Tea tree oil is an essential oil famous because of 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 within the oil terpinen-4-ol largely accounts for all the antimicrobial actions.
Tea tree oil is a clear to really yellowish or green -tinged essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous smell. These leaves were before used as a stand-in for tea, which is how the oil got its name.
One should not mistake Tea tree oil and Tea Oil (the seasoning and cooking oil got from pressed seeds of the plant Camellia oleifera).
Tea Tree oil was used in Australia as a potent antiseptic considerably before any scientific research. Tea Tree crushed leaves were used as traditional medicine also scattering them on wounds and by inhaling the oils treating cough and cold.
It was just after the use of oil of 1920 itself become popular. Arthur Penfold was published by by a streak of research papers assessing antimicrobial properties. The oil was extracted using mobile, makeshift, wood- fired bush and plant material was hand cut immediately. The demand ebbed after the war mostly as a result of interest in natural products and development of efficient antibiotics and was quite high till World War II. On the other hand, the interest in natural essential oils was rekindled in 1970s and 1980s and its demand has soared for uses in cosmetic and medicinal uses. Additional studies in the recent time support the use of tea tree oil in various aliments and skin care.
Here are glances of the uses of this oil that is wondrous:
O Tea Tree Oil Acne: A study done in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Department of Dermatology proved Tea Tree oil as quite successful in treatment of moderate acne.
o Inhaled tea tree oil helps breathing easier by "breaking up congestion". It can also minimize the indications of cold, sore throat, influenza and systemic fungal infection.
O Dandruff: Tea tree shampoo helped significantly reduce dandruff symptoms. This is reveled in a study done on 126 people with light to moderate dandruff. That is a result of its ability to treat the general common reason for the dandruff, Malassezia furfur.
O Athlete''s Foot: A study to treat 50% tea tree oil solution and placebo was utilized and athlete''s foot was done. After two daily applications for 4 weeks, tea tree oil was found to be significantly more efficient than placebo.
O Tea tree oil is also effective against other vaginal infections and candidiasis.
O It may also be utilized as a bath additive and also may control bacteria in spas and pools.
O Tea Tree oil is found in cosmetic products to produce tea tree soap and shampoo.
O It can also be used in toothpastes, mouth washes for treating bad breath and gum diseases.
o It can also be effective in treating small wounds, insect bites soothe sunburn and ear infection.
As to cure fungal and bacterial infection for pet fish, o Tea Tree oil diluted solution can also be sold.
