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Serenity Kneaded Blog

Melaleuca alternifoliais


Teal Tree Oil, most people have heard of using it as a deterrant for head lice, but there are many more uses to this woody, pungent smell. As a stand alone, it has quite a strong smell; but in conjuction with other essential oils, it can be quite lovely.

Tea tree oil, also known as Melaleuca alternifoliais, is an essential oil that has been around for quite a while. The oil is extracted from a plant native to Australia and cannot be found naturally occurring elsewhere. Tea tree oil is known for its topical antiseptic and anti-fungal treatment or infection-reducing benefits. It also has antibiotic properties and helps aid against aliments such as skin infections, rashes, burns, dandruff and much more.

It should be noted that tea tree oil should not be used on babies younger than 6 months. Tea tree oil should NEVER be ingested and is only to be used as a topical remedy.

Tea tree, also known as melaleuca, is well-known for its powerful antiseptic properties and ability to treat wounds. Tea tree oil (TTO), the volatile essential oil derived mainly from the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia has been widely used throughout Australia for at least the past 100 years. And for over seven decades, it’s been documented in numerous medical studies to kill many strains of bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Could Tea Tree Oil Replace Toxic Products In Your Home?

Tea tree oil uses are numerous: making homemade cleaning products, diffusing it in the air to kill mold, applying it topically to heal skin issues and using it to treat viral infections. It’s becoming an increasingly popular active ingredient in a variety of household and cosmetic products, including face wash, shampoos, massage oils, skin and nail creams and laundry detergents. Tea tree’s natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions make it an essential oil that should truly be part of everyone’s natural medicine cabinet.

Tea Tree Oil Benefits

While records show that tea tree has been used for thousands of years by some indigenous people, thankfully today science is finally catching up and describing why tea tree oil is so effective. To date, over 327 scientific studies refer to tea tree oil’s antimicrobial prowess alone.

Some of the many traditional uses for tea tree include healing:

  • Acne

  • Bacterial infections

  • Chickenpox

  • Cold sores

  • Congestion and respiratory tract infections

  • Earaches

  • Fungal infections (especially Candida, jock itch, athlete’s foot and toenail fungus)

  • Halitosis (bad breath)

  • Head lice

  • MRSA

  • Psoriasis

  • Dry cuticles

  • Itchy insect bites, sores and sunburns

  • Boils from staph infections

  • A few drops in your pets’ crates or beds keep the fleas away.

Top uses for Tea Tree Essential Oil

And this list doesn’t even include the many household uses of tea tree oil that can replace store-bought products in your cabinets:

  • Anti-microbial laundry freshener

  • Insect repellent

  • Natural deodorant

  • Acne face wash

  • Removes foot order

  • Removes mold

  • Household cleaner

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