Tea Tree Oil: Health and Beauty Benefits of Melaleuca Alternifolia

Tea tree essential oil is a well-known antibacterial and purifying natural solution. With its unmistakable spicy, slightly medicinal fragrance, this essential oil has variety of uses. Australians have long used this fragrant oil derived from fresh leaves of a tea tree to combat colds, flu, viruses, and various germs.

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is used for its hygienic, antimicrobial, preservative, and antioxidant properties. This non-toxic, low-sensitizing solution is very useful in skincare to soothe and purify oily and acne prone skin. The antiseptic action of this essential oil far surpasses that of antibiotics, and germs never acquire resistance to tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is especially active against Staphylococcus aureus This natural antibiotic is also devastating to herpes virus, shingles, candidiasis (Candida bacteria), mites, scabies, head lice, and nail fungus.

To prepare a purifying steam facial, add 3 drops of tea tree essential oil and 3 drops of lemon oil to a bowl of steaming hot water then lean over the bowl and let the fragrant steam penetrate your skin for 5-8 minutes. You can also add tea tree oil to the Purifying Steam Bath
from Petite Marie Organics. This steam also works to clear sinuses during the cold season. When applied to the skin, tea tree oil has shown as much effect on acne as 5% benzoyl peroxide preparation.

To prepare your own acne treatment serum, add 5-6 drops of tea tree oil to 30 ml / 1 oz of jojoba or almond oil and shake well. Dot lightly on your face and massage gently. Do not be afraid to apply light oils to your oily skin! It's the waxes, especially paraffin and mineral
waxes that clog pores and contribute to acne. To prepare an antiseptic cream with tea tree oil, combine 8 drops of this essential oil with 30 ml / 1 oz of any unscented lotion or a cream. Mix well. Do not use essential oils neat on the skin. Natural acne remedies use it as a potent agent against acne bacteria.

To treat oily skin, combine 3 drops of tea tree oil with 2 tablespoons of live yogurt or a paste made of oatmeal and water. Apply to the dry skin and leave for 8-10 minutes or as long as you can. Wash off with warm water.

If you suffer from dry skin on your lips, add 2 drops of essential oil to 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil or combine with any lip balm. Apply to your cracked, chapped lips daily. You can also use this blend on dry, inflamed cuticles.

Dandruff is a variety of yeast, and this essential oil can perfectly tackle this task. Add 6 drops of essential oil to 100 ml / 3.3 fl oz of warm water and stir well to disperse the oil. Apply to
your freshly shampooed wet hair and wait for 1 minute before rinsing. You can also add 6 drops of tea tree oil can and 5 drops of lemon oil to an ounce of grape seed or jojoba oil and apply the solution to the dry unwashed hair before a shampoo.

Tea tree oil is very useful in home cleaning. Add 10-15 drops to a spray bottle with a vinegar-water mix or plain water. Use to wipe door handles, keyboards, telephones, shoe insoles, and other surfaces (except leather and vinyl). You can also add it to a glass of water and place toothbrushes for an antibacterial soak. Add 10-15 drops of tea tree oil and/or lemon oil to a bucket of hot water and wipe the floors. Your home will smell gorgeously green, too!