Dorothy FarrarTeebaumol
Tea tree oil is a substance from the twigs and leaves of the Australian tea tree, which is obtained with the help of steam distillation. The oil relieves skin diseases, fungal infections, burns and wounds.
What is tea tree oil?
Tea tree oil is made from the leaves of the Australian tea tree (Melaleuca Alternifola). According to legend, the healing powers of the plant were discovered by the Australian natives. The Aborigines would crush the tea tree leaves and then inhale the oil vapors that were released. In the 18th century, the botanist Sir Joseph Banks and the navigator James Cook also brought plant stocks to England, where they wanted to study the active ingredient.
The tea tree belongs to the myrtle family and grows about seven meters high. It has soft, narrow leaves in which the essential oil can also be found. Another distinctive feature is its white bark, which resembles paper. The fragrant oil is extracted from the twigs and leaves of the tree by steam distillation, with one ton of plant material required for ten liters of tea tree oil. Pure tea tree oil has a spicy and fresh smell and a clear, yellowish color.
Effect and medical application
The natives of Australia used an extract of tea tree oil to treat skin infections , open wounds , inflammation of the gums , colds and lice infestations . Tea tree oil was also part of the basic first-aid equipment for the Australian troops stationed in the tropics during World War II. After that, however, the oil fell into obscurity as antibiotics and penicillin came onto the market.
However, at the beginning of the 20th century, various researches were conducted, which revealed that tea tree oil is effective against viruses , fungi and bacteria . Therefore it is also called natural antibiotic. Due to its fungicidal, bactericidal and antiseptic effect , tea tree oil is mainly used in alternative medicine, where it is used to treat rheumatism, varicose veins , open wounds, muscle pain , fungal diseases, acne or dandruff .
Traditional folk medicine also uses tea tree oil to fight viruses, such as shingles or herpes infections . In addition, tea tree oil also has a positive effect on the psyche and is very well suited to combating fears and boosting self-confidence. It is important for the application that the purchased product was made from the Melaleuca Alternifolie and 100 percent pure tea tree oil is used for the treatment. Furthermore, tea tree oil is also used in aromatherapy , whereby an aromatic room fragrance is created by heating it in a scented bowl. A diffuser is even better suited for this, since all the active substances and ingredients are preserved here.
shapes and groups
A wide variety of tea tree oil products are now available on the market. When buying, it should be noted that tea tree oil is quite high on the list of ingredients, so that it is present in the product in sufficient concentration. The following product groups are available in various forms:
- Shampoos with tea tree oil: Shampoos that already contain a sufficient concentration of tea tree oil are suitable for combating dandruff or preventing diseases of the scalp.
- Creams with tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is also found in a wide variety of ointments, but it is also important here that real tea tree oil is included.
- Anti-pimple sticks with tea tree oil: Anti-pimple sticks are very suitable for treating skin imperfections and, due to their size, can also be put in your trouser pocket.
- Deodorants with tea tree oil: Deodorants containing tea tree oil prevent bacteria from forming, which stops the smell of sweat .
- Mouthwash with tea tree oil: Mouthwash with tea tree oil prevents bad breath , deposits and gum inflammation
dosage
For insect bites , minor burns or cuts , the oil can be applied drop by drop and undiluted. About ten drops are mixed with water to gargle. If you want to use the tea tree oil as a bath additive, also add ten drops of it to the water. A few drops of the oil can also be incorporated into ointments or creams. Dilution in a carrier oil, such as almond oil, is also highly recommended. This reduces concentration, but the healing power is still there. To avoid skin irritation, the concentration should be as low as possible at the beginning and can then be increased over time.
Herbal, natural and pharmaceutical alternatives
Manuka oil, which is made from the twigs or leaves of Manuka (South Sea myrtle), has a similar effect to tea tree oil. But eucalyptus oil can also be used for muscle pain, rheumatic complaints, flu or colds. Cajeput oil, which is highly antiseptic, is also extracted from the cajeput tree.
Interactions and side effects
Contact allergies can occur when using tea tree oil , which is mainly due to the a-terpinene and d-limonene contained in the oil and their oxidation products. This oxidation process is caused by atmospheric oxygen and light, for this reason the oil should be stored impermeable to air and protected from light. A skin test can also be carried out by a doctor before use to check skin compatibility.
When using for the first time, a few drops of the oil can also be placed on a healthy area of skin to test for any reactions. Mucous membranes and eyes should also not come into contact with the tea tree oil. Caution is also required with small children, infants or asthmatics, since the use of tea tree oil can lead to an asthmatic attack or shortness of breath . Ingesting the oil also damages the lungs.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.