Benefits of Tea Tree Oil for Skin And Its Uses

Tea tree oil is an essential oil. There are hundreds of benefits of tea tree oil to give healthy skin and hair. This essential oil comes from the leaves of the native Australian plant Melaleuca Alternifolia, which is useful as an alternative medicine for topical treatments for skin and hair.

As it is an essential oil it is advisable to use tea tree oil as career oil. Because of its astringent medicinal properties, it is safe if used as directed. Before we bring you the benefits of tea tree oil for the skin, let’s check out few fast facts about the medicinal tea tree oil. 

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

• Tea tree oil is the only essential oil that has several health benefits.
• Australians crush leaves of ‘tea trees’ and inhale to treat coughs and colds or sprinkle on wounds.
• Inhaling soaked tea tree leaves can treat sore throats or skin ailments, increase the activity of white blood cells, regulates hormonal changes, and fight against foreign germs.
• Spray tea tree oil in your house as a natural pest control and bathroom cleaner.
• Few drops of tea tree oil in a water diffused can clear humidity, lift mood and reduce headache.
• You can use tea tree oil as a toothbrush cleaner.
• Use tea tree oil as a laundry refresher.
• Tea tree oil also works as a natural deodorant on humid summer days.
• Use diluted form as a mouth freshener. Never swallow tea tree oil.

Uses of Tea Tree Oil

Not many of you knew these additional properties of tea tree oil. Of all of the properties that tea tree oil claims, its antimicrobial control has received wide attention. At present, tea tree oil is available as a 100% undiluted or “neat” oil. You can get 5–50% of diluted form in the market as per the concern. Here’s how you can use tea tree oil for its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiprotozoal activities.  Benefits of tea tree oil with purity is enormous.

Antibacterial: Australians are using tea tree oil for almost a hundred years as a healing and treatment for skin and hair. Best known for its anti-bacterial activity, using tea tree oil helps to damage the bacterial cells and treats the spot effectively.

Its high concentration of terpinen-4-ol, a compound with anti- inflammatory characteristics suppresses inflammation on the skin, scalp, and inside the mouth. Its topical application heals inflammation faster than any other medicinal oil. Tea tree oil alleviates razor bumps and makes skin soft and smooth. 

Antifungal: Tea tree oil can kill yeasts and fungi on the skin and scalp. Inhaling diluted form of this oil can help treat fungal infections on the affected areas on genitals, throat, and mouth. Its antifungal properties also treat skin acne on sore pimples by reducing pain, treating acne marks, kills ringworm, and cure athletes’ feet.

Antiviral: Few studies show that tea tree oil can help treat viral symptoms. However, the data for antiviral treatment is limited. 

Antiprotozoal: Tea tree oil is believed to have antiprotozoal agents that treat infections from protozoa.

The other benefits of using tea tree oil for skin are:

Disinfect wounds: Dilute few drops of tea tree oil with water and apply to the wound for immediate relief. 

Removes skin tag: Apply it with a pinch of baking soda and apply it onto the tag overnight. Continue daily till the skin tag gradually falls off.

Soften Corns: Bandage the corn below your feet with few drops of tea tree oil. Continue this for a week to get the best results.

Treats Psoriasis: Outbreaks of red, itchy, and scaly skin are often known as psoriasis. Tea tree oil’s anti-inflammatory compound treats psoriasis and relieves pain. Mix 10 drops of tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and apply to the affected areas. Since coconut oil also has healing properties, therefore, combination works best if applied two to three days a week.

To conclude

Tea tree oil is a great medicinal oil to treat several skin conditions. However, tea tree oil works best if mixed with other oils like coconut and almond oil or water, according to its usage. 

Topical application of tea tree oil is not advisable as it might burn the skin and cause itchiness. This can sore the place and leave skin marks. Never swallow tea tree oil directly and keep it away from pets to avoid risks. Otherwise, tea tree oil is the best oil for various skin concerns.