Tea tree oil: benefits and harms, subtleties of choice and application

Modern manufacturers of medicinal and cosmetic products increasingly include natural ingredients in their products. This is due to consumer care about their health and the desire to preserve beauty with the help of environmentally friendly components. One of the popular and useful traditional medicine is tea tree oil. This is a natural component that has unique properties, has been successfully used in modern medicine, cosmetology, homeopathy, aromatherapy, and the food industry.

The first mention of the tea tree dates back to the second half of the eighteenth century. During a trip to Australia, the legendary James Cook drew attention to the natives who brewed a decoction of shrub leaves resembling leaflets of ordinary tea. A decoction from Melaleuki treated abrasions, wounds, scars and treated various ailments. It is the medicinal properties of this plant that attracted the attention of a famous traveler.

Melaleuka (tea tree) belongs to the Mirtov family, the genus Melaleuca alternifolia (Melaleuca alternifolia) and has about 236 species. But tea tree esters are produced only from a certain variety of plants, the so-called honey myrtle, and other types of shrubs do not possess the necessary properties.

In Europe, the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia has spread like a tea tree, although it has nothing to do with the classic drink. The extract did not deserve the attention of medicine of that time. Only in the nineteenth century, with the advent of homeopathy and aromatherapy, was it possible to evaluate the unique properties of Melaleuka.The test results surprised: thanks to a wide range of antiseptic elements, the oil proved to be an effective anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent that can replace synthetic analogues.

During the Second World War, the first-aid kit of the soldiers of the Allied forces was equipped with a bottle of Melaleuca alternifolia oil. With its help, wounds were healed in the field, got rid of catarrhal phenomena and used to treat infections of the oral cavity. In Australia, to this day, oil is called "first aid" and is often used as an antiseptic.

At home, decoctions or infusions of Melaleuki are used, but in industrial production a gentle method of distillation using active steam was chosen. Water vapor is passed through pre-ground leaves at atmospheric pressure. Passing through the raw materials, the vapor absorbs the essential oils, which, after cooling, are subjected to thorough filtration and poured into containers.

Tea tree oil is a viscous liquid of a light olive color with a specific odor. It is insoluble in water, practically insoluble in glycerin, but it can change the concentration by adding alcohol or another type of oil. The original product has a pronounced aroma, so it is practically not used in perfumery. Woody notes and slight bitterness are caught in the heart of the fragrance, and then sweet fruity notes appear.

The composition of the final product contains more than 100 types of isoprene derivatives - terpenes. The main share of bacterial components is monoterpenes - up to 50%, diterpenes - up to 40%, cineole - up to 15%. The functional feature of these substances is the ability to penetrate through the membrane of bacterial and viral cells and destroy their structure from the inside. This is due to the antiseptic and antiviral effect of the substance.

Some species of the listed components actively influence the gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial flora, which determines a wide range of their influence.

Tea tree oil is a powerful antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, wound healing and moisturizer. It is successfully used in folk and traditional medicine. The unique properties of the product make it possible to use it as an immunostimulating and cosmetic product. This is a powerful effective antiseptic, which is 7 times stronger than carbolic acid and 10 times stronger than phenol.

Melaleuca alternifolia oil is used for the following skin and other problems:

• fungal manifestations on the skin and nails, small scars and colloidal scars;
• dermatitis of various etiologies, non-infectious skin diseases, psoriasis, herpetic infection;

• papillomas, warts, corns, growths;
• mild frostbite and burns;
• bites of poisonous insects;
• acne, teen acne;
• acute viral diseases, with chickenpox, colds, catarrhal phenomena;
• inflammatory processes of the oral cavity;

• inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media);
• sprain, dislocation, myalgia, sports injuries;
• colpitis, candidiasis, cervical erosion;
• lice, nits, ticks;
• with hemorrhoids;
• stomatitis, gingivitis, toothache.

Even the most useful foods have a number of contraindications. Oil is not recommended for use:

• with individual intolerance, allergic manifestations, high blood pressure;
• nosebleeds, cranial injuries and neuropsychiatric disorders during exacerbation;
• low threshold of sensitivity, epileptic seizures.

Breastfeeding is a contraindication to the use of oil.It is not recommended for children under three years of age to avoid an allergic reaction.

Of the adverse reactions, the following series is distinguished.

• Hyperemia, swelling and soreness of the skin at the site of application of the substance.
• During inhalation, bronchospasm is possible, especially in patients with bronchial asthma.
• When using the drug inside, a decrease in blood pressure is possible.
• If oil enters the mucous membranes, irritation and burns can occur.

If the rules of use are not followed, concentrated oil (10%) can cause burns, peeling, irritation, redness, or allergic manifestations. Therefore, it is recommended to use it with a base base, which can be used with any cosmetic oil or cream.

Before using the essential oil for its intended purpose, it is necessary to conduct an allergic test. A small amount of oil is applied to the behind-the-ear area or to the inner surface of the wrist and the skin reaction is monitored for 15 minutes. Minor hyperemia, edema and signs of itching indicate intolerance to one of the components of the test substance.

Special care requires the use of oil in dentistry. When treating the oral cavity, gums or gargling, make sure that the solution does not accidentally enter the body.

The choice of essential oil should be approached with all responsibility: pay attention to the brand, packaging, shelf life and physical characteristics of the product. According to GOST, indicators of a quality product must comply with:

• density 0.9 g / cm3;
• refractive index of 1.5 ° C;
• acid number 2.0 con / g.

Toxic substances should not exceed the norm:

• arsenic not more than 5 mg / kg;
• mercury 0.9 mg / kg;
• lead not more than 4.9 mg / kg.

Pay attention to the label. It should contain the name of the product, its purpose, country, location and address of the manufacturer, a bar code. The expiration date should be clearly written on the label - the date of manufacture and the final date of consumption of the product. And there should also be a list of ingredients and a single name for the substance in Latin during customs clearance.

The packaging must be holistic. Essential oils are poured into a dark glass container - this protects the products from oxidation, exposure to ultraviolet rays and prevents the destruction of chemical elements. It is not recommended to purchase packaging with deformed elements: chips, cracks or visible signs of tampering. The manufacturer must provide instructions for the use of the drug, which indicates the therapeutic and prophylactic properties.

It is advisable to purchase oil in pharmacies or trusted online stores - this will minimize the likelihood of acquiring a fake or diluted counterpart.

When studying the assortment, pay attention to the pricing policy of the positions proposed for use. Coniferous oils are significantly higher in price than citrus and stone fruits, and apricot kernel ether cannot be equivalent to jojoba oil. Therefore, try to avoid dubious distributors who supply low-quality goods for sale.

When choosing an ether, you should decide on the method of using the substance. More concentrated (10%) are suitable for spot treatment of skin areas, inhalations, aromatic baths, and less concentrated (5%) - for external use.

In gynecological practice, the tool is used to treat and prevent inflammatory processes.

• Douching with vaginitis is carried out using 500 ml of warm boiled water, a teaspoon of soda and a few drops of oil.
• Gynecological tampons are used to treat cervical erosion.
• For the prevention and treatment of urethritis and prostatitis, it is used in the form of suppositories in combination with propolis and pumpkin seed oil.
• Essential oil is one of the most effective drugs used to treat colds, SARS, ARI, herpes, influenza and catarrhal phenomena.

• When a cold is used, an emulsion is prepared from 50 ml of water and a few drops of oil. Within a week, this composition is instilled with a nose, 1 drop in each nasal passage.
• With furunculosis, affected areas of the skin are treated at least twice a day.
• With rosacea, problem areas are treated with a solution of the base substance and tea tree oil in a ratio of 1: 10.
• Olive oil in combination with a few drops of Melaleuki ether is used for frostbite and mild burns.

For seborrhea, dandruff and skin itching, masks, rinses and balms are used.

• To prepare the mask use yogurt or kefir, add a few drops of oil applied to the scalp for 2 hours.
• You can use a mask of white henna, 2? 3 drops of tea tree oil, diluted with water to a state of liquid sour cream.
• In order to give shine and a healthy appearance to the hair, it is necessary to add a few drops of oil to shampoos, masks or balms, based on one shampoo.
• You can massage your head, periodically wetting your fingers in a mixture of peach oil and tea tree, diluted one to one.

The tool is ideal for gentle tooth whitening. After routine hygiene, apply 1-2 drops to the toothbrush and brush. After a few seconds, rinse your mouth.

Profuse sweating is an unpleasant phenomenon for both men and women. With the help of essential oil, the phenomenon of hyperhidrosis can be significantly reduced, for which the armpit area should be treated with a solution consisting of 50 ml of alcohol diluted in half with water and a few drops of oil.

When sweating feet, the following composition is used to eliminate unpleasant odors: 1 drop of sage oil, 2 drops of rosemary oil and 5 drops of tea tree oil are added to 50 ml of base oil. With increased sensitivity to odors, you can reduce the dosage of oil to 2 drops.

A tool is also used to remove warts, growths or calluses, but only if benign formations are excluded. In order to achieve results, it is necessary to lubricate the area with concentrated oil. With treatments, the warts gradually decrease and die. This procedure is carried out 2 times a day for two weeks.

It is necessary to warm 50 ml of olive oil in a water bath and add a couple of drops of tea tree oil. In each ear canal instill one drop of the solution. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated.

With wound surfaces or after opening the boil in the nose, it is necessary to treat the affected area with a mixture of almond oil and tea tree oil in a ratio of 1: 5.

It is necessary to prepare a bath of hot water and add 2-3 drops of oil for every 500 ml, then hold your face over water for 5 minutes.

When biting mosquitoes, bees and other insects, it is necessary to treat the affected area with a solution of olive oil with the addition of tea tree ether in a ratio of 1: 5.

With this disease, the drug is used as lotions, applications and for massage.

Caring for your health becomes more significant during pregnancy, because the lion's share of thoughts is occupied by fears for the development of the fetus. Therefore, expectant mothers try to minimize the use of synthetic and harmful drugs, and tea tree oil becomes an indispensable tool in the fight against some ailments.

Tea tree oil helps to cope with respiratory diseases without the use of antibiotics and antiviral agents.

Starting in the second trimester, many women suffer from pain in the lower back. Rubbing or light back massage with tea tree oil will help get rid of discomfort.

Essential Oil Helps Deal With Varicose Veinsedema on the legs, hemorrhoids and inflammatory processes in the corners, without using antibiotics or drugs harmful to the child’s health.

Essential oils in air purification are of great importance. In any room, harmful substances, bacteria, viruses accumulate. Using oil, you can disinfect the room, in addition, it perfectly moisturizes the air. Aromatization of rooms is carried out from several minutes to two hours, depending on preferences and concentration of the solution. In case of an overdose, headaches, nausea, and dizziness are possible.

Oil has a beneficial effect on the emotional state, enhances memory, concentration. It helps to quickly move from one type of activity to another, calmly endure stressful situations. Reduces susceptibility, irritability, relieves panic attacks.

In esoteric tea tree oil is used for rituals. It promotes meditation, helps to tune in to the ceremony, is successfully used for magical actions, protects against negative energy.

Tea tree oil is successfully used in aromatherapy. Use aroma lamps, aroma candles, aroma pendants and more. The choice of method depends on your preference. It helps to get rid of many disturbing symptoms, physical ailments and emotional problems. It has relaxing properties, improves mood, helps to get out of depression. In addition, it normalizes respiration, enhances the absorption of oxygen, improves blood circulation, increases libido, and helps to overcome tightness and confusion.

Due to its unique composition, essential oils enhance metabolic processes. They contribute to the burning of fats, eliminate stretch marks, improve blood circulation, and help smooth the skin. Oil for external use is used as a fat-burning product. But in rare cases, they are added to salad dressing in a strictly limited quantity and after consulting a doctor.

The following procedures are used to reduce weight.

• Aromatherapy To do this, you can use several methods: aromolamp, medallion, inhaling the aroma from the bottle, inhalation.

• Anticellulite massage. To conduct anti-cellulite massage, special blends with the addition of honey and low-abrasive substances are used. For this purpose, finely ground coffee beans or oatmeal are suitable. 5 drops of tea tree oil are added to 100 ml of coconut oil and applied to the inside and outside of the hips, buttocks, stomach, sides, hands with massage movements. Anti-cellulite massage should be taken in courses of 10 procedures once every six months.
• Balneotherapy. Baths with the addition of a few drops of oil act beneficially. For one procedure, 15-20 drops of oil are needed, but you should start with two drops per procedure.

A bath with aromatic oil has a beneficial effect on the skin, helps to expand pores and remove excess fluid. This contributes to weight loss, increases the tone of the body and heals the body as a whole.The course of the procedure is at least 15 times, but be careful that the water does not exceed 37.5 ° C.

Cosmetic wraps. To reduce weight, anti-cellulite wraps are used. This procedure helps fight problem areas, enhances skin turgor, helps to remove excess fluid, prevents the formation of an orange peel. The following recipes are used for wrapping:

• For 50 ml of the base base, 8-10 drops of tea tree oil, 5 drops of rosemary oil are added.
• Ten drops of tea tree oil are mixed with 5 drops of citrus and 5 drops of patchouli oil. This mixture is added to 30-50 ml of the base base.
• 200 mg of sea salt, 50 mg of blue clay and 15 drops of Melaleuki oil are added to 450 ml of water.

The mixture is applied to problem areas of the skin and wrapped with cling film for forty minutes. They take shelter in a warm blanket, and after the procedure take a warm shower.

Some sources recommend taking tea tree oil for internal use. This method is considered as an exception and only after consultation with your doctor.

• For weight loss, tea tree oil is used, adding one drop to kefir or green tea.
• A method is used in which a drop of oil is sealed in a bread crumb and swallowed.

Microorganisms, getting under the nail, multiply and affect the surrounding areas. In order to prevent the development of the infectious process, it is necessary to stop the infection in time. To do this, carry out phased preparation and go through the entire course of treatment.

The oil acts directly on the fungus: reduces pain and neutralizes an unpleasant odor. In most cases, it is used in the form of compresses, massage, baths. For effective treatment, it is necessary to carry out preliminary preparation:

• It is necessary to carefully process the nail with soap.
• Steam in a bath, after adding two teaspoons of soda, sea salt, apple cider vinegar to hot water (500 ml).

• Remove as much as possible the part of the nail plate affected by the fungus.
• Dry your nails with a clean towel or disposable sanitary napkin.
• Apply one of the antifungal drugs to prevent the spread of the process.

Types of procedures for the treatment of nail fungus.

• Massage. Massage the nail plate is carried out on a previously prepared and dried nail plate. A drop of ether is applied to each nail and rubbed with massage movements until completely absorbed. Then, the treated nail is isolated with a patch for an hour. Make sure that concentrated oil does not touch the surface of the skin - a chemical burn is possible.
• Baths. For holding baths, it is necessary to add a tablespoon of honey, a teaspoon of soda, five tablespoons of salt and 15–20 drops of tea tree oil to the hot water tank. Affected nail plates should be completely immersed in the solution. The course of treatment is 10-15 procedures, with a duration of 25 minutes. After that, you can apply massage of the nail plate with oil.

Such treatment methods have significant advantages and the absence of contraindications, with the exception of allergic manifestations. They are ergonomic, applicable to different stages of infection, combined with other drugs.

Melaleuki herbal extract is an effective cosmetic product for all skin types. It is indicated for teenage, healthy, and aging skin. Oil is used both as an independent tool and as part of cosmetic preparations.

• As part of creams or home cosmetics, it helps to make the skin dull, evens out complexion, and prevents the appearance of age spots.
• Prevents peeling, chapping, enhances skin regeneration, rejuvenates and ensures the entry of beneficial substances into the cell.
• Prevents the influence of free radicals from the environment on the upper layers of the dermis.

When using tea tree oil, the following guidelines should be followed.

• The product is applied to cleansed skin.
• The duration of the mask or peeling with oil is 15 minutes.
• Wash off with clean water or with a cosmetic sponge without soap.
• Then apply a daily skin care product.

The presence of one or another ingredient in the composition of cosmetics is determined by the type of skin. Oily, prone to inflammation and the formation of acne, requires careful care and moisturizing. Tea tree oil is one of the most effective skin products of this type.

• To reduce inflammation and increase facial skin turgor, you can prepare a mask from the gruel of one leaf of aloe and a few drops of tea tree oil. The composition is applied for ten minutes and washed off with warm water.
• To two tablespoons of cottage cheese add half a teaspoon of cosmetic clay and a few drops of ether. Bred chamomile infusion to the density of sour cream and applied for 15-20 minutes.

The following masks will help reduce inflammation and reduce acne.

• As a basis, you can use cosmetic clay, kefir, cottage cheese or ground oatmeal. The components are mixed until smooth and a few drops of tea tree oil are added. The resulting mass is applied to the face and washed off with warm water after twenty minutes.
• The protein of one egg is beaten into a stable foam and half of a teaspoon of starch and a few drops of ether are added. Wash off with warm water after fifteen minutes.

For dry skin, prone to wrinkles, apply a variety of masks.

1. Moisturizing masks should be used for skin prone to premature aging. As a basis, you can take any cosmetic product for the skin, to which several drops of tea tree ether are added. Such a tool successfully replaces a night cream.
2. For rejuvenation use masks based on 15% cream, adding tea tree oil, chamomile extracts or a series of.
3. An extract from tea tree reduces the manifestation of demodicosis. For this, it is necessary to use a cosmetic product based on infusion of chamomile, rosemary, a string and a few drops of tea tree oil.

Without exaggeration, tea tree oil is one of the most affordable and effective components that should be in every home. Reviews about this tool are more than positive.

In order to buy high-quality natural oil, you need to know some of the subtleties of choice.

In order to purchase high-quality natural oil, you need to pay attention to the smell. The aroma of natural oil resembles freshly chopped wood, while cheap counterparts are dominated by pronounced camphor notes and a sweetish flavor.

If the price of the product you have chosen is attractive because of its availability, but you are in doubt about the quality, then you need to conduct some simple tests. This will help confirm or refute your doubts.

• It is necessary to drip a few drops of ether on a dry paper towel and observe how the oil is absorbed for half an hour. If a greasy stain remains, this indicates a dubious quality or poor filtration of the test product.
• When adding oil to the base base (regular cream, tonic, shampoo), it should not change its consistency, color. Turbidity or stratification of the base indicates the dubious quality of the product.
• The ether of tea tree oil, when applied to the fabric or wrist, lasts more than 5 hours, if it disappears earlier - this indicates a synthetic analogue or low quality product.

The purpose and effect of tea tree oil is different: the aroma affects the physical and cognitive state. For the full effect, it is recommended to use complex compositions of essential oils. But before using any folk remedy, aromatherapy or homeopathy, you must consult your doctor. Any disturbing changes in the body or symptoms requiring examination should be treated with the help of traditional medicine, and a timely diagnosis will help prevent negative consequences.

See below for more details.