By Luella May
Guest writer for Wake Up World
Among the many natural ways to treat topical infection, tea tree oil is one of the very best. Tea tree oil is an essential oil taken from the leaves of the melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia and New South Wales. Tea tree oil has a wide variety of uses and strong antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Tea tree oil’s antibacterial properties are so effective that it actively attacks and eliminates staff infections, including MRSA.
Essential oils are liquids distilled by steam or water from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots or other elements of a plant. Contrary to the use of the word oil, essential oils are not really oily in feel and are usually clear liquids. Essential oils contain the true essence of the plant they were derived from.
The tea tree plant has a long history of medicinal use. The aborigines in Australia used tea tree leaves to heal skin infections, wounds, and burns by crushing the leaves and holding them in place with a mud pack.
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Tea tree oil effectively treats a variety of conditions. It can be used without a carrier oil, but it is good practice to do a patch test on your skin first, as undiluted tea tree oil can irritate. If skin is sensitive, it is necessary to dilute it. A good tea tree oil solution can be made by mixing 5 parts of tea tree oil with 95 parts of water. Please note that tea tree oil should never be taken internally, even in small amounts.
Below are just some of the many ways to effectively use tea tree oil:
Tea tree oil kills the skin dwelling bacteria that causes acne. Dilute the tea tree oil as directed above and apply to lesions. Another way to apply it is by diluting it with aloe vera gel. To begin with, mix one or two drops to one ounce of the gel.
Boils
Apply undiluted (or diluted if sensitive) tea tree oil directly on the boil with a cotton swab several times a day. Because boils are infectious and can easily spread, make sure to properly dispose of the swab after use, being careful not to touch uninfected areas of your skin.
Athlete’s Foot
Every morning and evening, saturate a cotton ball with tea tree oil (you may need to dilute it) and apply to the affected and surrounding areas. You may want to also apply a tea tree oil enriched moisturizer. Results should be evident in about a week. Tea tree oil is also very effective when treating nail fungal infections.
Oral Thrush and/or Periodontal Disease
Mix one capful of tea tree oil with 12 ounces of water. Swish, gargle, and rinse three times a day. Additionally, when brushing your teeth, you can apply two to three drops to your toothbrush.
Eczema/Psoriasis
It is not advisable to apply undiluted tea tree oil directly, as the affected areas may already be sensitive. Instead, mix 10 drops to 2 tablespoons of olive oil or almond oil and apply directly to the affected areas.
Warts
If the warts are on the feet, apply full strength tea tree oil. (Skin on feet is thicker and less sensitive than other areas.) For other areas of the body, mix a 50/50 solution using water or aloe vera gel. You may need to dilute it further, depending on skin sensitivity.
Insect Bites
Apply full strength to the bite area. Tea tree oil is also an effective insect repellent.
Wound Healing
Moderately apply tea tree oil at a strength of 70 to 100% on the wound at least twice daily.
Lastly, putting a few drops of tea tree oil in bathwater has a relaxing and rejuvenating effect. It will also soothe sore muscles and eliminate persistent body odor.
These are just some of the conditions that tea tree oil treats. Tea tree oil belongs in every natural medicine cabinet.
About the author:
Luella May is a natural health advocate helping people to heal naturally. Luella is in the midst of editing her ebook, “The 8 Invisible Stains of Our Souls” which will be available in the next few months. She partners with Tony Isaacs, author of books and articles about natural health including “Cancer’s Natural Enemy” and “Collected Remedies” Luella contributes to The Best Years in Life website for baby boomers and others wishing to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. Luella co-moderates the CureZone “Ask Tony Isaacs” forum as well as the Yahoo Health Group “Oleander Soup” and hosts her own yahoo group focusing on the natural wellbeing of pets.
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