Tea Tree Oil – Its Qualities, Benefits and Proper Uses

Light yellow to nearly clear, tea tree oil is an essential oil squeezed out of the leaves of the melaleuca aternifolia. This plant is native to Australia. The oil has a strong fragrance almost similar to eucalyptus and is now popular for the many benefits that using it can bring. However, one should be aware of its properties so that proper use of this essential oil will be observed.

This essential oil has antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties making it a popular ingredient in skin care products such as creams, lotions, and soaps. In these forms, it is used as topical treatment for a variety of skin conditions such as acne, athlete’s foot, blisters, burns, cuts, dandruff, eczema, head lice, minor wounds, ringworms, warts, and scabies. It is also used in aromatherapy for the relief of aches, asthma, bronchitis, colds, coughs, runny nose, and stress. For these conditions it is used as massage oil or mixed in hot water or added in vaporizers for its steam to be inhaled. Tea Tree Oil

In its concentrated form, this essential oil is very potent and should be used with care. It must be diluted with a carrier oil before using or a buffering agent such as when used in a soap or lotion. Use just the right dosage when used externally or might cause skin irritation. It is recommended to test first for possible allergic reaction before applying it on the skin.

It is important that this essential oil should never be taken internally as it can be toxic. Diarrhea, drowsiness, vomiting, upset stomach, and hallucinations are just some of the effects caused by ingestion of this oil. There are even reports of people falling into a coma from having swallowed this oil in significant amounts. Thus, it is very important to keep bottles or containers of this oil away from children and pets, especially if it is in its concentrated form.

There are indeed many benefits that one can get from this wonder oil that originated from Australia. It is effective in treating a wide variety of skin and body conditions whether used as diluted oil or as an ingredient in lotions, creams, and soaps. However, in order to be safe and avoid any accidents from happening, one must do the proper research on the right dosage amounts when using tea tree oil and that care must be observed to prevent it from being taken ingested.

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