Medicinals – Tea Trea

Tree Oil is one of the power-houses of medicinal essential oils.  A must have for the home first aid kit.  We certainly have it as one of our oils in our medi-kit.

Australia is the major source of tea tree oil which exports some 700 tons annually.  Pure tea tree oil is colourless to pale yellow.  It is often called as ‘melaleuca’.

The two major components of terpinen-4-ol  and 1,8-cineole which combine perfectly to combat harmful bacteria and fungi. Tea Tree is also one of the few essential oils that can be used directly on the skin.

Treatments

Cuts, scrapes, insect bites, stings, minor skin wounds and irritations.  The oil changes the chemical barrier of the skin making it inhospitable to fungi and other organisms.
Minor skin wounds, insect bites and stings and irritations:  Cleanse the wound then apply one or two drops of tea tree oil to the affected area twice or thrice daily.

Nail Infection:  Rub tea tree oil on the nail twice daily.

Athlete’s foot: Apply the oil or cream to the areas affected twice daily and/or use it in a foot bath.

– Foot bath, put 20 drops of tea tree oil in small basin of warm water,

– soak the feet for 15 minutes two or three times a day.

– Dry the feet then apply a drop or two of oil to the affected area.

Vaginal yeast infections:  Use tea tree oil vaginal suppository every 12 hours for a maximum of five days.

Tea tree is effective in countering Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis, the causes of candida infection.

Acne:  put a drop or two to each acne lesion three times daily.  Preparations of up to 15% of tea tree oil can treat even the severe case of acne.

Warts:  Put few drops on small gauze and tape it over the wart at bedtime then remove in the morning.  Continue until wart heals.

Dandruff and head lice: Mix  5% solution of tea tree oil  with your normal shampoo.  Tea Tree is found to be effective in combating Pityrosporum ovale, a fungus which causes dandruff.