Monday Spotlight: Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil (melaleuca alternifolia) is referred to by many as "first aid kit in a bottle."  During WWII, Australian soldiers were given first aid kits that contained tea tree oil.  Soldiers and medics poured the oil directly onto wounds to disinfect them and speed healing without damaging the surrounding tissues.  According to Roberta Wilson in her book, Aromatherapy: Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty,

Tea tree essential oil can be used medicinally for:

• treating abscesses, acne, bites, blisters, burns, cuts, dandruff, skin disorders, and scalp problems.
• cleansing and disinfecting wounds and soothing and healing burns.
• treating respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, colds, congestion, coughs, earaches, fevers, laryngitis, sinusitis, sore throats, tonsillitis, and whooping cough.
• boosting immunity and reduces the incidence of colds, fevers, the flu, and other infectious illnesses.
• treating fungal infections such as athlete's foot, candida infections.
• relieving the pain of and healing cold sores.
• relieving itching, redness, and scaling of psoriasis, seborrhea, and eczema.
• improving oral hygiene and relieving gingivitis, mouth ulcers, periodontal disease, and toothaches.

Its beauty benefits include:

• clinical studies in Australia have shown that tea tree oil rivals benzoyl peroxide for effectiveness in fighting acne, but does not have the side effects of dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness.
• men can prevent skin irritation from shaving by applying tea tree oil after shaving.
• effective treatment for fungal infection of the fingernails.

Tea tree oil also has emotional benefits.  It

• restores energy depleted by everyday stress.
• reduces or alleviates mental fatigue and exhaustion.

If you've decided to take advantage of the benefits of tea tree oil, you can use it in a variety of ways.

• apply 2 -4 drops on the location of the issue
• inhale directly
• diffuse
• take as a dietary supplement

Interested in purchasing tea tree essential oil?  Click here.