|
|
TEA TREE OIL– A Remarkable Healing Agent.
A clear to very pale golden colour essential oil favoured by aromatherapists and manufacturers of natural antiseptics creams, lotions, toothpastes and shampoos. Tea Trees belong to the genus Melaleuca and the trees in this genus are commonly known as paper barks or honey myrtles. Melaleuca oil is taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia which is native to the northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia. Captured by steam distillation of the leaves the medicinal aroma is reminiscent of cypress, cardmom and camphor combined and generally perceived as a warming and stimulating odour.
The term "tea tree oil" is said to have come about in the 1770s when Captain Cook and the crew of The Endeavour used the leaves as a substitute for ordinary tea. Tea tree oil has been recognized as a potent antiseptic, antibiotic and an antifungal agent; it has been shown to be an effective treatment for dandruff due to its ability to treat Malassezia furfur, the most common cause of the condition.
Tea tree oil has also been known to help soothe sunburns, poison ivy, ear infections, and bee stings along with many other uses including various skin problems, wounds, insect bites and stings, boils and ringworm. Care should be taken when using Tea tree oil; it should not be used neat or in high concentration on sensitive skin and should be used almost exclusively externally.
By: Lesley-Ann Sales - Utah, United States |
|
