Tea Tree

Species name:  Melaleuca alternifolia.

Also known as: Melaleuca oil, Australian tea tree oil.

Tea Tree herb is used to make tea tree oil. Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic, germicide, antibacterial, fungicide. There are many great uses for this herb which makes it no surprise that it has been around for many years now. History shows that Australian aboriginals used tea tree leaves for healing skin cuts, burns, and infections by crushing the leaves and applying them to the affected area. The same basic principal is still used today.

What is Tea Tree: So what exactly is tea tree or tea tree oil? Tea tree is an essential oil made from stem distillation of the leaves of a plant native to Australia. This plant, melaleuca alternifolia, is commonly called tea tree because the leaves were once used as a substitute for tea. The part that is commonly used medicinally is the oil that is taken from the leaves. This oil is used by itself or as an ingredient in other medicines, shampoos, lotions and more.

Home Remedies using Tea Tree:

Benefits of Tea Tree:

Many people use tea tree oil for: athletes foot, cold and flu, oral thrush, cold sores and canker sores, tooth ache and gum infections, ringworm, candida, head lice or louse, cleanser additive, gum problems, mosquito bites, bug repellent, cockroaches, deter flees, mouth ulcers, herpes, cuts, abrasions, after shave, sunburn, anorectal or vaginal yeast infections, unwanted body odors, acne, toe nail infections and many other uses.

Many people refer to Tea Tree Oil as a “first aid kit in a bottle” because there are so many great things it can cure. It is used in shampoos, creams, oils, lotions, soaps and more. It is also used to treat many things from lice, eczema and athlete’s foots to common colds, herpes, cuts and abrasions and more. There are literally a huge number of things that you can treat with tea tree that it is no surprise it is one of the most famous and commonly used herbal supplements around today.

Uses of Tea Tree:

• Athlete’s foot
• Cold and flu
• Cold sores and canker sores
• To deter fleas and cockroaches
• Herpes
• Cuts
• Abrasions
• Body odor
• Acne
• Toe nail infections
• Eczema
• Lice
• Tea tree is most often used as an oil

Side Effects of Tea Tree:

If used topically you may be allergic to or have sensitive skin to Tea Tree Oil if you experience skin hives, rash, itchy skin, or difficulty breathing.

If taken internally some have experienced abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and drowsiness.

If any of these or other side effects occur discontinue use and see your doctor.

If you are pregnant check with your doctor prior to use.