Is Tea Tree Oil Good: Know Its Various Benefits

Distilled from the leaves of the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia, tea tree oil has been used in the medicinal world for centuries. Owing to its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties, it’s often known as the first-aid oil. It is a traditional medicine that has been used by native Aborigines for centuries. They used tea tree oil to treat everything from coughs and colds to wounds and various skin conditions.

With its growing popularity, tea tree oil can be found in many cosmetic and household products, including skin and nail creams, massage oils, face washes, shampoos, and more. It can be used both aromatically or topically to alleviate common skin conditions. There are several benefits of tea tree oil. Let's talk about them in detail. But first let's talk about how to use this most important essential oil.

How to use Tea Tree Oil

• You must not apply tea tree oil directly to the skin. It’s important to dilute the oil with a carrier oil (like olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil).
• For every 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil, you must add 12 drops of carrier oil
• Use tea tree oil around the eye area carefully, as its exposure can cause redness and irritation
• Before you start using tea tree oil on your face, do a patch test to make sure your skin doesn’t react to the oil
• Do not swallow it
• Keep it away from children and pets

Benefits of Tea Tree oil

Acne

Tea tree oil is one of the most popular choices to treat acne because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. It reduces swelling, inflammation, and redness of the affected area. It can also help in reducing acne scars. Mix 3 drops of tea tree oil into 2 ounces of witch hazel. Use it as a toner every day. You can also use products like face wash, moisturizer, and spot treatment, that contain tea tree oil. 

Dry skin and eczema

Tea tree oil can help soothe dry skin by reducing itching and irritation. Take a few drops of tea tree oil and add a small amount of moisturizer or carrier oil. Apply this mixture to the affected areas immediately after getting out of the shower and at least once more every day.

Itchy skin

It relieves itchy skin, soothes the skin, and helps in healing infections that cause itchy skin. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil to a moisturizer or any carrier oil and apply it to your skin a few times per day.

Oily skin

It combats oily skin because of its antiseptic properties. You can either add a few drops of tea tree oil in your toner, moisturizer, or sunscreen and apply it daily. 

Hair and scalp treatment

Using tea tree oil on your scalp can help in treating dandruff, promoting optimal growth, and moisturizing the scalp. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to any carrier oil and massage it on your scalp and hair. Allow it to stay for 20 minutes, then wash it off with shampoo followed by a conditioner. 

Other benefits of tea tree oil:

• Its antibacterial properties can help in wound healing
• It is also used to treat infections and cuts
• It also helps in treating symptoms of psoriasis
• It can kill fungal infections and parasites. Thus it is used in making a no-brainer medicine against toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, and ringworm
• It can also eliminate body odor or unpleasant smells around the house
• It can also serve as a multi-purpose cleaner, mouthwash, or hand sanitizer, because of its antimicrobial properties

Summing up

Tea tree oil is one of those essential oils that has endless benefits. Although most people tolerate tea tree oil when used at low concentrations, sometimes it can lead to side effects like skin irritation. If you see any signs of allergic reaction like a rash, or itching, immediately discontinue the use. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult with their doctor before using tree tea oil.