Tea Tree Oil: A Means For (almost) Everything!

Tea tree oil has been used for therapeutic purposes in Australia for generations.

Tea tree oil was even an integral part of the first aid kit for Australian soldiers during World War II!

You too will get to know the diverse therapeutic uses that are so convincing that you too will soon have tea tree oil in your medicine cabinet!

What is tea tree oil?

Tea tree oil is obtained from the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) native to Australia. The tea tree has nothing to do with tea in the strict sense, but is a type of the myrtle family.

To obtain tea tree oil, the leaves and branches of the tea tree are distilled over steam. If you want to use tea tree oil for yourself, make sure that you buy it as pure and pure as possible.

If the concentration of tea tree oil in the preparation is too low, you will not be able to benefit from the benefits of the oil.

Risks and Side Effects

Tea tree oil has a reputation for being uncomplicated to use and not involving any risks or other dangers. Unfortunately, this is wrong, because nature is not always unproblematic either.

Therefore, there are a few things you should know if you want to use tea tree oil for yourself:

If the concentration is too low and the oil is to be used against bacteria, for example in the case of inflammation of the skin, it can promote antibiotic resistance of the bacteria. Don’t forget: natural medicines must also be used correctly!

Tea tree oil can also lead to contact dermatitis, especially in people with sensitive skin. Therefore, try out the oil on a small area first before you want to use it for therapeutic purposes!

As with all substances, tea tree oil can also lead to contact allergies. Interesting: the older the oil, the higher the likelihood of a strong allergic reaction! Therefore, pay attention to the correct storage and do not overlay the oil!

In Germany, undiluted tea tree oil is classified as a harmful substance because, if used incorrectly, it can actually do more harm than good!

Caution: Cats and dogs cannot break down some of the substances contained in the oil and should therefore not come into contact with undiluted oil in order to avoid symptoms of poisoning and even death !

Effect and application

As mentioned at the beginning, it was customary in the Australian military during World War II to equip soldiers with tea tree oil as a disinfectant for wounds and other injuries.

The oil contains more than 100 different substances which, in their interaction, have a strong antimicrobial effect. This has been scientifically proven.

It has also been observed that the reaction to insect bites is milder if the sting is treated directly with tea tree oil. However, this is only based on tradition and has not been scientifically proven.

In addition to bacteria, the Australian oil is also effective against fungi, so it is not only effective against inflammatory diseases, but also against fungal infections.

It was used before penicillin was discovered and commercialized. At that time it was used as a standard antiseptic, especially for operations in the oral cavity.

Todays use

With the discovery of penicillin and other effective antibiotics, tea tree oil was forgotten. However, its effect remained unchanged.

Today there are more and more cosmetic products that contain it and it is also used more and more in naturopathy. For example, it is effective for the following ailments:

• acne
• Eczema
• Psoriasis vulgaris
• Disinfection of small wounds / abrasions
• Parasite infestation (lice, flies, ticks, …)
• Skin inflammation
• Fungal infections
• Insect bites
• Blemished skin
• Mouthwash
• After shave

Depending on the area of ​​application, a highly diluted solution is recommended to minimize the risk of contact dermatitis and allergic reactions.

If you put a small bottle of tea tree oil in the medicine cabinet, it is enough for many uses!

You can dilute the oil drop by drop in water (e.g. to make an antiseptic mouthwash) or dilute it with cooking oil, for example with a cotton ball.

Products with tea tree oil

If you would rather buy products that are enriched with tea tree oil, then you should pay particular attention to one thing: in order to be able to work properly, the oil needs direct contact with the skin.

The composition of the cosmetic in which the effective oil is found is therefore of great importance so that it also works where it should – and not just misused as a marketing tool.

A shampoo that is sold with tea tree oil, for example to help against dandruff, cannot contain any silicone. These wrap around the hair and scalp like a film and prevent the active ingredients of the oil from being properly absorbed by the skin.

A cream, deodorant or other skin care product with tea tree oil should be purely vegetable, at best certified natural cosmetics.

Real chemical cocktails are available on the market, most of which are based on petroleum products, which are cheap by-products of petroleum production.

Such synthetic care products create a protective and lubricating film on our skin, which makes the skin feel nice, but does not care for the skin.

Only natural fats can do that! This “lubricating film” on the skin also prevents the optimal absorption of all the active ingredients in tea tree oil. Take care when you go shopping!