Benefits of tea tree essential oil

I had an experience last year, and I would like to share it with you. I travelled for an event and had to stay in a hotel. On a particular day, I decided to survive on water, garden eggs, and groundnuts. By evening, I started having serious hunger pangs and needed something to eat quickly. After placing a call to the hotel, I was told that shawarma was available.

I had never eaten shawarma before that time! So, since I didn’t want a heavy meal at that time of the night, I opted for shawarma. I ate it and liked it. I got stuck because I ate shawarma every night during my stay at the hotel!

What I am driving at is that sticking to healthy eating is not for the faint-hearted. There are times you fall into the temptation of eating what you shouldn’t. It is not a bad idea to give yourself a treat once in a while but do not let it become a regular habit because eating junk does no good to your health.

Am I still stuck on shawarma? I found a way out of the trap. I now make homemade alternatives using quinoa and red lentils as wraps, and the toppings I add are also healthier.

This week, I will be discussing tea tree essential oil. Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a tree native to Australia.

Tea tree has been used as a folk medicine treatment among Indigenous Australians of eastern inland areas.

They inhale the oils from crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds. They also sprinkle leaves on wounds, after which a poultice is applied. In addition, tea tree leaves are soaked to make an infusion to treat sore throats or skin ailments.

This essential oil has been used for almost 100 years in Australia but is now available worldwide, both as neat oil and as an active component in various over-the-counter skin products, including soaps and lotions.

The primary uses of tea tree oil have historically capitalised on its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Its germ-fighting abilities make it a valued natural remedy for treating bacterial and fungal skin conditions, preventing infections, and promoting healing. It is known to be one of the most antibacterial and antifungal essential oils. Often referred to as the ‘first aid’ oil, it has a cooling effect that can soothe pain. The volatile aroma was historically inhaled to help relieve headaches and colds and to boost the immune system after crushing the leaves by hand. However, more recently, the essential oil is distilled and successfully used to treat wounds.

Tea tree oil is a popular choice for treating acne because of its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It is thought to calm redness, swelling, and inflammation. It may even help to prevent and reduce acne scars, leaving you with smooth, clear skin.

In aromatherapy, it has gained popularity for helping with the respiratory system, clearing up congestion, and offering relief from coughs.

An older 2002 study suggested that mild to moderate dandruff related to the yeast Pityrosporum ovale may be treatable with five per cent tea tree oil.

Studies suggest that tea tree oil can destroy several common bacteria and viruses that cause illness, including E. coli, S. pneumoniae, and H. influenzae. According to a 2013 study, tea tree oil helps heal wounds caused by bacteria.

A small 2016 study found that participants who used sunscreen containing tea tree oil for 30 days showed improvements in oiliness.

Another study conducted in 2021 suggests that, when used alongside traditional treatment, tea tree oil may enhance the effectiveness of treatment for fungal skin infections.

Meanwhile, a 2020 study found that tea tree oil mouthwash was an effective treatment for reducing gingivitis-related inflammation.

Using tea tree oil on your scalp may suffocate lice. According to a 2022 review of research, it is likely an effective treatment for head and body lice, especially for lice that have developed resistance to conventional treatments.

Tea tree oil is used for oral health, acne, athlete’s foot, contact dermatitis, dandruff, head lice, nail fungus, and more. It helps heal and soothe sunburns, naturally treats skin infections, relieves itchiness from rashes, and helps reduce rashes. It can also be used as an all-purpose cleaner—simply fill a glass spray bottle with 1–2 teaspoons of tea tree oil and the rest with water.

Additionally, it helps prevent lice, cures toenail fungus and athlete’s foot, works as an insect repellent, and helps remove skin tags. It has been found to be an effective treatment for warts, soothes insect bites, treats ringworm, and alleviates psoriasis and other skin conditions. It also serves as an antiseptic for small cuts.

For earache relief, mix one drop of tea tree oil with one teaspoon of olive oil and drop the mixture into the ear.

Tea tree essential oil’s expectorant properties make it effective in relieving congestion and respiratory tract infections. It can be used in a homemade natural deodorant, supports healthy sleep, and acts as an insect repellent. It calms, soothes, boosts the immune system, reduces inflammation, cleans and refreshes the environment, strengthens hair and nails, and nourishes skin health.

According to a board-certified dermatologist and the regional president of U.S. Dermatology Partners in East and South Texas, Jennifer Holman, MD, “Tea tree oil is an essential oil derived from Australian tea tree leaves. You may also know it as melaleuca oil. We turn to it for its antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, and there are many ways it can be utilised for skin, hair, and nails as a natural treatment.”

The primary benefit of tea tree oil is its ability to fight pimples. For that reason, tea tree oil may be a good choice for people with acne, says a board-certified dermatologist with Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans, Deirdre Hooper, MD.

A study titled Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Australian Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Oil and Its Components by Hyun-Jin Kim et al. indicated that tea tree oil could be a good alternative antioxidant.

Another, titled Tea Tree Oil versus Chlorhexidine Mouthwash in Treatment of Gingivitis: A Pilot Randomized, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial by Francesca Ripari suggests that tea tree oil mouthwash may be beneficial in treating gingivitis.

A further study titled Solubilization in vitro of Tea Tree Oil and First Results of Antifungal Effect in Onychomycosis by Felix Marcos-Tejedor et al. concluded that tea tree essential oil inhibits the in vitro growth of fungus and may be a less harmful alternative for onychomycosis treatment.

For topical application, the oil must be mixed with a carrier oil. By placing a couple of drops in a steaming bowl of hot water and inhaling the aromatic vapours while leaning over with a towel draped over the head and the bowl, tea tree oil can be used to help treat sinus infections.