Tea tree oil is extracted from Melaleuca tree which is native to Australia. Over the years, it has gained recognition because of its healing potential and it is no surprise that most skin care and hair care products now contain tea tree oil. The medicinal properties of Australian tea tree oil were discovered by British explorer Captain Cook when Australian Aborigines were brewing their leaves of the tree to cure different types of health conditions. The term tea tree was coined from the concept of making tea out of the tree. [i]
The potential of tea tree oil to heal various types of ailments is not really a new discovery but due to the emergence of modern science, the ability of tea tree oil to cure numerous diseases has been for the most part ignored. It has only made a comeback in the 1980s when experts were trying to rediscover the potential of tea tree oil for curing MRSA, a bacterium that can stimulate various types of infections that are hard to cure. The rediscovery of Australian tea tree made the plant well-known for its antiseptic, antiviral and antifungal properties.
Nowadays, you can find a wide range of products where tea tree oil[ii] is present, it one of which is Australian bodycare tea tree oil product. Body care products with tea tree oil is said to cure various skin problems and can be a perfect substitute for chemically based products and antibiotics. To support such claims, extensive research about the ability of tea tree oil to combat a broad spectrum of infections has been conducted. Research shows that tea tree oil is much safer and more effective than modern synthetic antiseptic.
When it comes to 100% pure tea tree oil, Australia will surely come to mind. Although there are studies that consider tea tree oil as a toxic substance, research conducted in Australia found the oil to be safe for everyday use and will not cause toxicity. It also poses a low risk of skin irritation in both humans and animals. For sensitivity test you can dab a drop of oil on the inside of your forearm. If you do not experience any allergic reaction, this means that it is safe to use the oil.
Australian tea tree oil can be easily absorbed into the skin which makes it an ideal ingredient for cosmetics and beauty products. It also has a cleansing ability, which means that can get rid of bacteria that cause various types of infection. Tea tree oil is regarded as a universal cure for which we must thank the Australian aborigines.