Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil that comes from steaming the leaves of the Australian tea tree.
When used topically, tea tree oil is believed to be antibacterial. Tea tree oil is commonly used to treat acne, athlete’s foot, lice, nail fungus, and insect bites.
Tea tree oil is available as an oil and in many over-the-counter skin products, including soaps and lotions. However, this oil should not be taken orally. If ingested, it can cause severe symptoms.
Evidence
Research on the use of tea tree oil to treat certain conditions shows the following:
Acne. Research indicates that a tea tree oil treatment gel may be effective in alleviating acne.
Dandruff. Using a tea tree oil shampoo for four weeks proved effective in treating dandruff.
Athlete's foot. Applying a tea tree oil cream twice a week for a month effectively relieved athletes' foot symptoms.
Lice. Using tea tree oil in conjunction with lavender oil is effective against nits.
Nail fungus. The research did not show that tea tree oil, pure or in combination with other antifungal treatments, is effective in treating toenail fungus.
Results may vary because there are no standardized methods for obtaining tea tree oil or creating products containing it.
Tea tree oil can be safe when used topically and help treat acne and other superficial skin infections.
Avoid oral consumption of tea tree oil, as it is toxic when swallowed.
Safety and side effects
Most people can use tea tree oil topically without a problem. However, tea tree oil can cause the following:
Skin irritation
Allergic skin rash (dermatitis)
Itch
Stinging
Burning
Peeling
Redness
Dryness
Don’t use tea tree oil if you have eczema.
Tea tree oil is toxic if ingested. Serious side effects can occur, including the following:
Disorientation
Lack of muscle control or coordination of voluntary movements (ataxia)
The lower level of consciousness
One study seems to indicate that repeated exposure to lavender oil and tea tree oil may have caused breast tissue swelling (gynecomastia) in young children.
Interactions
Although tea tree oil is often used with other medications when treating bacterial or fungal skin conditions, there are no indications of drug interactions.
Tea tree oil comes from steaming the leaves and bark of the Australian tea tree. Its scientific name is Melaleuca alternifolia and used topically, and it is antibacterial, fungicidal, and healing. Therefore, it effectively treats different problems such as acne, lice, and insect bites.
You can find tea tree oil pure or included in many over-the-counter skin products, such as lotions, shampoos, soaps … Find out in this article what tea tree oil is for and its many properties.
Uses and properties of tea tree oil
The Aborigines of Australia used tea tree oil for thousands of years for its many benefits and various properties. One of the most common uses of this product is to treat acne. It can be used directly on pimples and pimples to make them disappear quickly and without leaving marks. It only needs to have a concentration of 5% to ensure its effectiveness, but it is not advisable to apply it all over the face, or it could dry out your skin.
In addition, as it is a powerful antiseptic, it is ideal for healing wounds, burns, and blisters. Thanks to its antifungal power, it can also be used to treat foot or nail fungus problems. It has also been shown to be effective in relieving athlete’s foot symptoms.
Among the many properties of tea tree oil, it also helps fight dandruff. Just add a few drops to your regular shampoo. Or you can wet a cotton ball with it and rub it on the cuticles, and it will be much easier to remove.
If you add a few drops to the lotion after waxing, you will notice that the skin calms down much sooner. And on the other hand, it is also an excellent ally against the symptoms of flu and colds. Gargle with a few diluted drops in water helps relieve throat infections. You can also use it to relieve nasal congestion by steaming with hot water.
Tea tree oil is very effective against insects, as it relieves mosquito bites and prevents the appearance of lice. You have to apply a few drops to the shampoo or fabric softener, wait a few minutes, and rinse with plenty of water. Also, if you use it in conjunction with lavender oil, it is very effective against nits. However, you should be careful because you should not take it orally among the contraindications of tea tree oil. Later we will explain why in more detail.
Lastly, the most unexpected use for tea tree oil is as a household cleaning disinfectant. With it, you can clean countertops, bathrooms, floors … As easy as adding a teaspoon in a spray bottle of water or 50 drops in the mop bucket. You can also add a few drops to the detergent box of the washing machine or dishwasher.
Tea tree oil benefits
In addition to the uses that we have explained to you, there are many more benefits that tea tree oil has. Here are some of them:
Helps hydrate and care for dry skin, especially in winter. To do this, mix a couple of tablespoons with a tablespoon of almond oil, and you will get a very effective home remedy to take care of your skin.
It is a very effective natural make-up remover. Add about ten drops of tea tree oil with a bit of canola oil in a small container and spread the mixture well all over the face in small circular movements.
In addition to eliminating dandruff and lice, it helps strengthen and accelerate your hair's growth. Just apply a few drops of tea tree oil to your scalp and massage in for a few minutes before washing regularly.
As we have said before, it is a good ally against acne, but it also helps to eliminate blackheads and pimples.
This essential oil is an excellent ally to contribute to good oral health. You have to dilute a few drops in a glass with a bit of water or mouthwash and rinse to clean all areas of the mouth.
To avoid possible herpes or irritations on the lips, you can spread a little tea tree oil on them to keep them healthy and hydrated.
It is an ideal home remedy to end earache. Mix a drop of tea tree oil with a small tablespoon of olive oil and let it work for about 30 minutes.
Tea tree oil contraindications
Although most people can use tea tree oil topically without problems, it could have the following adverse effects:
Itch
Stinging
Skin irritation
Burning
Redness
Skin rash or dermatitis
Dryness
Peeling
Another of the contraindications of tea tree oil is that you should not use it on eczema. In addition, if you consume it orally, it is very toxic and could generate the following side effects:
Muscle control problems or ataxia
Confusion
Decreased level of consciousness
There is no evidence that tea tree oil interacts with other medications. Still, some studies corroborate that repeated exposure to this oil or lavender could cause inflammation of the breast tissue or gynecomastia in young children.