What Are Its Benefits
Tea tree essential oil is an excellent natural alternative for skin care, hair care, and environmental issues. In fact, its one of the most popular essential oils around! Here are some benefits of tea tree oil:
-Tea tree oil can be used as a natural preservative in cosmetic products.
-It can kill bacteria that causes acne or other skin conditions.
-It has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.
-Tea tree oil is a great treatment for dandruff, psoriasis, and other dry scalp conditions.
-This oil also has anti-inflammatory properties which are great for people with arthritis or those who experience muscle soreness. It can also relieve congestion when rubbed on your chest.
Clean Your Toothbrush Or Retainer
Your toothbrush can harbor bacteria, especially if its stored wet in a dark cabinet. Christine Allmer of Desert Essence, which makes essential oil-based personal care products, recommends placing a single drop of tea tree oil on the bristles when you are done brushing your teeth each night to help control the growth of bacteria on your toothbrush. You can also give your toothbrush and your retainer a tea tree oil soak once a week. Simply add a drop of tea tree oil per ounce of water in a jar and let the toothbrush sit in the liquid for 10-15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly and air-drying.
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What Is Tea Tree Oil Is It Safe For Skin
Melaleuca alternifolia or tea tree oil is an essential oil produced from steam distillation of the leaves of tea trees. Typically, these trees are found on the southeast coast of Australia. Traditionally Australian people used tea tree oil as an antiseptic and herbal medicine.
A little research has been done on the uses of tea tree oil for skin. It indicates that tea tree oil is capable of treating acne, eliminating lice, reducing mite infections and athletes foot. But there is no data to prove this oils effectiveness on insect bites. It is often used as a complementary therapy for surgery, burn care and dental care.
Most people can use tea tree oil on their skin without any issues. But Nikita Kolhe, Product Development Executive at SkinKraft suggests, Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Thus, it works great in treating acne. But never apply it directly, even if you have dry skin. Dilute it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, almond oil or olive oil. People with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin may experience a little itchiness or redness after using this oil.
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Clean Your Kitchen Sink
Your kitchen is a treasure trove of grime, bacteria, mold, and fungus. While you may think your bathroom is the dirtiest room in the house, a kitchen sink alone typically has more than 100,000 times the bacteria than the average toilet. Not exactly an appetizing thought.
Mix tea tree oil into warm water or add a few drops to baking soda before scrubbing your sink. Be sure to get around the drain and all of the grooves at the base of the faucet to remove mold, mildew, and bacteria. You can similarly use a natural cleaner that already includes tea tree oil like this castile soap.
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Best Overall: Naturenics Tea Tree Oil
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Must be added to another product for safe use
What do buyers say? 89% of 3,000+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
The Nautrenics Tea Tree Oil is our top pick, because it can address a variety of ailments with just a couple of drops . The product is USDA-certified for being 100% organic and pure. Additionally, this formula is pure tea tree oil with no parabens or sulfates. It is also beneficial for a plethora of ailments, including acne, psoriasis, and hair loss. All it takes is to mix a few drops of the oil in your moisturizer or shampoo to let the product do its work. The best part about this product is that an e-book is included with your purchase to guide you on how best to use the oil for whatever ailment you are experiencing, making it well worth the price.
Additional Ingredients: None | Usage: Toenail fungus, foot fungus, hair loss, psoriasis, acne | Dosage: 2-3 drops mixed
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How To Use And Safety
Never take tea tree oil orally, as ingesting it can result in serious health issues. Only ever apply it to the skin.
Tea tree oil is an ingredient in many products, including ointments, mouthwashes, lotions, and skin care creams. It is also available as pure essential oil. Most commonly, it is available in a 5% concentration, but higher concentrations are also available.
Apply tea tree oil to the skin after diluting it with a carrier oil or moisturizer. Diluting tea tree oil decreases the risk of skin irritation. It is also important to avoid applying the oil too close to the eyes, as exposure to the eyes may cause irritation and redness.
To use tea tree oil on the skin, mix a few drops with a carrier oil, and put it on the skin with a cotton ball. Another option is to place a few drops of tea tree essential oil in a warm bath. Apply products that contain tea tree oil, such as lotions, as the manufacturer directs.
As with any product, an allergic reaction is also possible. Before using tea tree oil on the skin, it is best to do a patch test to make sure that it will not cause irritation.
Always consider the risks when using essential oils, as some are harmful to children, pregnant women, and pets.
For example, one study in the New England Journal of Medicine concerns the link between tea tree oil use and gynecomastia in prepubescent boys.
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Banish Nail Fungus And Athletes Foot
Nothing ruins a good manicure or pedicure like a nail infection. Treat a pre-existing fungal infection or keep one from developing by mixing a drop or two of tea tree oil into coconut oil or water and applying it to your nail and cuticle or between your toes for athletes foot. Added bonus? Tea tree oil can also help get rid of foot odor.
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Freshen Up Your Garbage Can Or Diaper Pail
Instead of letting the smell linger or holding your nose and blindly dumping baking soda into it, thoroughly clean your garbage can with tea tree oil. Mix up a multipurpose cleaning spray with tea tree and wipe down the entire inside of the pail. Once you have all of the debris out, spray down the can and allow it air-dry completely each time you take out the trash.
Tea Tree Oil Skin Irritations
When applied topically, diluted tea tree oil is a safe alternative to conventional skin care treatments. While side effects are rare and typically slight when they do occur, when taken in high concentrations some people can experience mild swelling and skin irritation, while others could suffer an allergic reaction.
For some people with acne-prone skin, this oil can cause skin dryness, stinging, itching, burning and redness.
As such, always perform a preliminary patch test if youve never used this essential oil before, and especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies.
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For Minor Wounds Cuts And Burns
There is a large body of scientific evidence that demonstrates the promising antibacterial potential of tea tree oil and confirms its traditional use among the aboriginal population of Australia. If you find yourself with an injury like a burn, scrape or a cut, tea tree oil is a great remedy to have on hand.
I actually used it recently when I embarrassingly managed to put my motorbike down and it certainly seemed to do the trick.
But dont take my word for it, a study published in 2013 using ten volunteer patients demonstrated that tea tree oil when applied topically significantly decreased wound healing time and protected against infection.
Tea Tree Oil Side Effects And Safety
Tea tree oil is generally safe. Allergic reactions are possible so when applied topically but you should dilute it first and also perform a patch test to ensure that you do not react to it.
- Tea tree oil is not considered safe for digestionso be sure that you do not swallow any of it if you are using it to treat any oral conditions.
- Tea Tree Oil may have a mild estrogenic quality .
- Avoid Lavender and Tea Tree oils in people with estrogen dependent tumors.
- Similarly, repeated direct skin exposure to tea tree and lavender oil may cause gynecomastia in young boys. Stopping use of lavender and tea tree oil resolved the gynecomastia.
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Who Should Use Tea Tree Oil For Skin
People with dry skin or oily skin can enjoy the goodness of tea tree oil without any issues. But if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you may feel a little irritation. In addition, pregnant women and people with any hormone-sensitive disease should avoid using tea tree oil or take a doctors opinion before adding it to their regular skincare routine.
It is always better to know your skin type before using this oil. Also, always do a patch test before a full application. In case you find yourself allergic to tea tree oil, it is highly recommended to avoid applying it. Also, as mentioned before, always dilute the oil with a carrier oil before applying it to your skin. It will reduce the chances of skin irritation.
Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil For Hair
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Tea tree oil has the ability to transform your hair, starting at the scalp. Its antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties make it a potent treatment for dandruff, improving overall scalp health. Healthy hair and new growth start at the scalp, so improving your scalp health should be the first step in any attempt to increase hair growth.
When using tea tree oil to treat the hair and scalp, it’s important to make sure you are using an essential oil and not just a fragrance oil, as fragrance oils do not contain the same health benefits. Essential oilsare obtained through hydrodistillation, steam distillation, dry distillation, or the mechanical cold pressing of plants. These differ from fragrance oils, which are often manufactured in a lab.
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Infections Cuts And Wound
The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil make it an effective wound healer.
According to a 2013 study, tea tree oil helps to heal wounds caused by bacteria. Nine of the 10 people who used tea tree oil in addition to conventional treatment showed a decrease in healing time compared to conventional treatment alone.
How to use: Add 1 drop of tea tree oil with a wound ointment cream and apply as directed throughout the day.
It Has Many Uses Around The Home
Scent is powerful, and if you enjoy a home that smells good , tea tree oil could be just what you need. This musky, pine-like scent provides soothing properties while naturally cleansing the air you breathe, explains Kelly Kussman, a fragrance expert and the founder of Cayla Gray. Kussman says the aroma of tea tree oil is fresh, timeless, delicate, and powerful. She recommends using it in a diffuser as a way to repel mosquitoes, get rid of unpleasant odors, and revive linens and laundry.
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Tea Tree Oil For Skin Hair And Health
You may have heard about tea tree oil as a miracle treatment for acne but this amazing oil is much more than just that. Tea Tree oil has an endless number of uses and benefits for the skin, the hair and the health, which is why it is such a popular ingredient amongst numerous beauty products. Here, well talk about some of its benefits and how to safely use it in everyday skin and hair care.
The Best Hair Products With Tea Tree Oil
Garshick says this combines a blend of tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and lavender oil, leaving a cooling and refreshing feeling on the scalp. It can be used by all hair types and is also safe for color-treated hair.
This shampoo contains both tea tree oil and hemp seed oil, which Rabach says washes the scalp while leaving it feeling soft and rejuvenated.
This 100% natural, organic tea tree oil can be diluted with water or oil, or used as-is .
Tea tree oil and argan oil work together to reduce dryness and itching on the scalp, and to help alleviate dandruff.
This budget-friendly shampoo is refreshing, thanks to a blend of mint and tea tree oil meanwhile, milk proteins help strengthen and moisturize strands.
- Can tea tree oil cause irritation on the scalp?
Tea tree oil is largely safe, though it may cause skin irritation. If so, discontinue use and consult an expert.
- Does tea tree oil help with dandruff?
Thanks to its antibacterial properties, tea tree oil can help with flakes and dandruff.
- Does tea tree oil have any other benefits for the scalp or hair?
Tea tree oil can help with conditions such as eczema, which can cause irritation on the scalp.
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Best Body Wash: Jason Purifying Tea Tree Body Wash
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One issue with products that include tea tree oil is that they sometimes can cause excess drying on the skin. But Jason Natural Body Wash & Shower Gel is formulated to be gentle enough for people with sensitive or dry skin. Besides including tea tree oil in the formula, the body wash incorporates moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5. These nutrient-rich ingredients help bring moisture into the barrier of your skin. The tea tree oil then works to remove any impurities from the surface to smooth and balance the barrier. The body wash is also cruelty-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free.
Additional Ingredients: Vitamin 5, pro-vitamin B5, aloe vera | Usage: Cleanses, moisturizes | Dosage: Nickel-sized amount
Hyperpigmentation Or Dark Spots
As it relates to skin health, much of tea tree oils medicinal value comes from its ability to prevent and expedite the healing of wounds and blemishes. However, there is also reason to believe it can help with dark spots and certain pigmentation issues.
Some studies have concluded that tea tree oil is as effective at reducing acne lesions as benzoyl peroxide. Antiseptic properties that kill the bacteria associated with cuts and blemishes, lead to faster healing the faster a wound heals, the less likely it is to leave a dark spot.
Other properties contained in this oil may also aid with pigmentation issues, as dark and red spots are often raised and bumpy due to inflammation. As an anti-inflammatory, it reduces the severity of these spots, potentially minimizing any lingering pigmentation issues caused by them.
Pros: No negative side effects
Cons: As with conventional topical medications used to reduce dark spots and address pigmentation, at best tea tree oil is likely to be only marginally effective for this purpose.
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How To Use Tea Tree Oil Safely
This highly volatile and potent essential oil can be used neat or diluted with a carrier oil, such as coconut, olive, jojoba or almond oil, for topical applications. Test the oil on a small patch of skin before applying it more generously. Remember: Do not swallow tea tree oil undiluted, as it can be toxic when ingested orally.
Some adverse reactions can occur when using tea tree oil topically, including:
- Skin irritation
Is Tea Tree Oil Safe
Tea tree oil is a natural and affordable treatment option for a variety of health issues and conditions. However, its not safe to consume orally. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states, Tea tree oil should not be swallowed. Taking it orally can cause serious symptoms, such as confusion, ataxia , breathing problems and coma.
Dr. Tilgner reports that she has seen more reactions to tea tree oil than any other essential oil. It may be used in its pure form by some individuals with little or no negative reaction while others experience tremendous skin irritation. Adverse reactions may be minimized by avoiding ingestion, applying only diluted oil topically and using oil that has been stored correctly, she says.
Also, use tea tree oil with caution on sensitive skin. The NCCIH reports some people may develop contact dermatitis or skin irritation on the parts of their body where the oil was used. If such reactions occur, seek professional medical attention.
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Top Tea Tree Oil Uses And Benefits
Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca, is well-known for its powerful antiseptic properties and ability to treat wounds, which is why its one of the top antibacterial essential oils.
Tea tree is a volatile essential oil derived mainly from the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia. Its been widely used throughout Australia for at least the past 100 years, and for over seven decades, its been documented in numerous medical studies for its ability to kill many strains of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Tea tree oil uses are numerous it can be used to make homemade cleaning products, diffused to kill toxic mold thats growing in your home, and applied topically to heal skin issues and treat skin infections.
I use this powerful essential oil in my tea tree oil for acne recipe and many other DIY recipes that have become part of my daily routine.
Tea tree oil is becoming an increasingly popular active ingredient in a variety of household and cosmetic products, including disinfectant sprays, face washes, shampoos, massage oils, skin and nail creams, and laundry detergents.
Research shows that tea trees natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions make it one of the most beneficial essential oils that should included as part of your natural medicine cabinet.