Tea tree oil is also known as melaleuca oil. It is a pale yellow natural oil that is extracted from the leaves of melaleucaalternifoli that is native in Australia. Melaleuca alternifolia plant is mostly found in Northeast coast of new South Wales and Southeast of Queensland part of Australia. This natural oil is different from a tea oil that is extracted from the seeds of a tea plant known as CamelliaSinensis that is a beverage.
This natural oil is not supposed to be swallowed or taken by mouth. You may be wondering what is tea tree oil used for or how is it used? Small quantities of these natural oil is used in making skin cosmetics and skin cleansers. This natural oil was used from traditionally as a treatment for various skin problems such as acne, dandruff, herpes and other fungal infections.
The Aboriginal communities that resides along the Northeast coast and Southeast cost will tell you their long life history on the effective use of the tea tree oil antiseptic for treatment of various skin conditions. However a research done by several universities such as the University of Sydney has proven the medicinal value of these natural oils for skin improvements. More research is being done to determine other more importance’s of this natural oils.
What is Tea Tree Oil Good for
There are plenty of healthy benefits that you can get by the use of a tea tree oil. You can also mix it with other natural products to create a mixture that has a variety of benefits to your health. Below are the various benefits that you are likely to get when using this natural oil:
- Treatment of acne. Tea tree oil is commonly used in making skin care products that cures acne. Most of the cosmetic companies are using this natural oils in their products to treat various skin problems. 5% concentration of tea tree oil works effectively as benzoyl peroxide in treating mild acne. A homemade face mask made by mixing few drops of the natural oil and honey is also another way on how to use tea tree oil on face.
- Can be used as an insecticide. A mixture of tea tree oil and coconut oil forms a good insect killer and that is how to use tea tree oil for lice in the hair. Due to the antibacterial characteristics of the tea tree oil, it also forms a deadly insecticide for killing insects such as mosquitoes, cockroaches, lice, fleas and flies that may cause infections to your health.
- Helps in treating toe nail fungus. High concentration of tea tree oil has become a good way of treating fungal infections such as the toe nail fungus, athlete’s foot and ringworms. Applying this natural oil to the infected area twice a day for 5 months helps to eradicate the infection completely.
- Cleaning of wounds and cuts. Tea tree oil forms a good antimicrobial solution for cleaning and treating skin surface wounds and cuts without having negative effects. You can also make a homemade tea tree oil cleaner by mixing it with lemon water, vinegar and some water. It forms a good antimicrobial solution for killing bacteria in your home.
- Treatment of hair dandruffs. Tea tree oil is very powerful in treating hair and scalp problems. It is scientifically proven that tea tree oil helps in maintaining the scalp moist and free from dandruffs. It also helps in treatment of lice in the hair. Hair products that contain this natural oils helps to maintain a healthy hair that is free from breakage and thinning. Homemade shampoos from tea tree oil and aloe Vera gel also helps you to have a healthy natural hair at a low cost.
- Making of deodorants.What is tea tree oil used for in making the deodorant? The antimicrobial nature of tea tree oil makes it to be a good deodorant for keeping away bad smell from your body. Its antimicrobial properties kills the bad odor causing microorganism. You can spray yourself while going for a strenuous exercise or while going for a sporting activity to keep you smelling fresh.
- Treatment of skin cancer. A research done recently by dermatological scientists suggests that cleaning the skin with a tea tree oil helps to prevent or cure the tumors that causes skin cancer. It also helps the immune of the skin against cancer.
- Treatment and prevention of gum diseases. A natural tea tree oil homemade toothpaste helps in killing bacteria that causes tooth decay and other gum diseases such as bleeding gums. A mixture of tea tree oil, coconut oil and baking soda makes a powerful antimicrobial toothpaste.
- Use for making cleaning antiseptic. A mixture of tea tree oil, vinegar and lemon water makes a good household cleaner. You can use it for cleaning utensils and other equipment’s in your home.
- Used for psoriasis and eczema. Tea tree oil is best in relieving any type of skin inflammations and itches. You can simply make your homemade eczema cream by mixing coconut oil, lavender and tea tree oil if you are experiencing psoriasis and eczema.
- Boost your health. The balsamic properties of tea tree oil helps in boosting your general body health. It boost the immune system of the body by promoting absorption of nutrients in the food that you eat.
How to Make Tea Tree Oil
A tea tree oil is obtained from steam distillation of the leaves from melaleuca alternifolia plant that is native to Australia. This natural oil is commonly known for its various uses in treatment of skin problems such as fungal infections, acne and others. It can also be used to perform other important roles in your body when mixed with honey, coconut oil, vinegar, lavender, lemon or water. Therefore you can find out in steps below how this important oil is obtained from a melaleuca alternifolia plant.
- Search for melaleuca alternifolia and obtain some leaves from it. This can be easy to people who are living in Australia and the neighboring regions. People from other coolers regions may prefer to buy already refined oil than looking for raw leaves that are hard to find.
- Find a small distillatory set and set it in your home. You may decide to buy yours or borrow from chemistry laboratory. Set it on a flat surface that is free from contaminations and away from children.
- Wear protective clothes such as an overall, gloves and goggles.Ensure that your safety is guaranteed. You can also assemble other necessary equipment’s such as a fire extinguisher.
- Put water and boiling stones in the boiling flask. The water should be half full in the flask and then you connect it to the distillation unit.
- Place your leaves in the upper container of the distillation set and then you allow a low water flow in the condenser.
- Turn on the hot plate to initiate distillation.
- Maintain a water flow in the leaves as boiling continues.
- You will now start to collect the tea tree oil.
Tea Tree Oil Side Effects
This natural oil is only used on the external skin surface and you are not supposed to swallow it as it is toxic. When swallowed, you may experience different side effects such as stomach pain, diarrhea, skin irritations, bad taste, fatigue, mouth inflammations and bad breath. You are supposed to be very careful to avoid swallowing when using it to clean or treating your gums.
Some people who allergic to this natural oil may develop some allergic conditions such as skin inflammations, severe rashes, skin irritations, nausea and fatigue when they use this natural oils. When you start showing such allergic reactions stop using the tea tree oil immediately.
The use of tea tree oil should be avoided during pregnancy, when breastfeeding and when undergoing child birth. Tea tree oil decreases the contraction of muscles. Children should also avoid it as it causes some skin rashes and irritations.