Archive for February, 2008
Tea tree essential oil
On February 29, 2008 in Yeast Infections, Ringworm, Nail Fungus, Acne, Soap, Fleas, Hemorrhoids, General, Dandruff, Head Lice, Warts, Lung Problems, Shampoo
Tea tree oil is one of only two essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin (lavender is the other oil). Here’s a brief rundown on the properties and uses of tea tree essential oil from AromaWeb:-
Botanical Name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Color: Clear with a Yellow Tinge
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Aromatic Description: Medicinal, fresh, woody, earthy, herbaceous.Possible Uses: Acne, athlete’s foot, candida, chicken pox, cold sores, colds, corns, cuts, flu, insect bites, itching, migraine, oily skin, ringworm, sinusitis, sores, spots, urethritis, warts, whooping cough.
How to use tea tree essential oil
www.essentialoils.co.za by Esoteric Oils CC gives the following suggestions for using tea tree essential oil:-
Tea tree oil is one of the most powerful immune stimulant oils and helps fight infections of all kinds and helps clear the skin.
Burners and vaporizers
o In vapor therapy, tea tree oil helps with colds, sinusitis, bronchitis and any other respiratory ailment and is also of use to help the mind cope after shock.Blended massage oil or in the bath
o As a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath, tea tree oil helps with all respiratory ailments, as well as arthritis, colds, dermatitis, skin infections, scalp disorders, sinusitis, viral infections, nettle rash, babies colds and coughs, bronchitis, as well as for sweaty feet.
In wash or applied neat
o When it is added to the water for washing it has great value to treat abscesses, bed sores, acne, boils, lice, dandruff, wounds, as well as animal or human bites and can also be applied neat on problem areas with a cotton bud.
o For lice - apply neat onto the scalp - leave for 40 minutes and wash the hair. This must be repeated every second day for twelve days.
o Fungal outbreaks such as athlete’s foot and nail infections (paronychia) as well as vaginal thrush and cradle cap can be treated with frequent direct application of a 2.5% dilution of tea tree oil.
o Please remember that it is a powerful essential oil, and the neat application onto the skin must be done with care.
Mouthwash
o Tea tree oil can be used as a mouthwash for gum infections, mouth ulcers, throat infections and tonsillitis, while garlic eaters believe that it reduces the smell of garlic on the breath. Although we know that the oil will definitely benefit the infectious problem, we are unsure of the success with the smell of garlic.
Cream or lotion
o When tea tree oil is blended into a cream or lotion and applied to the skin, it will help to clear up any fungal, bacterial as well as viral infections - and can therefore be used for a variety of problems - ranging from boils, abscesses, acne, bite wounds from animals and humans (although a medical practitioner must also be consulted), dandruff and other scalp disorders and is also effective to help sort out bed sores, diaper rash or any other rash.
History of tea tree essential oil
Scent by Nature gives us a brief history of where tea tree essential oil originated from, and what are the benefits of using tea tree essential oil:-
Where Does Tea Tree Oil Come From?
Pure Tea Tree Oil for therapeutic use is clear/pale yellow in appearance with a clean, fresh medicinal aroma. It has the consistency of water and is extracted by steam distillation from the leaves and twigs of the native Australian shrub Melaleuca Alternifolia.
The use of this oil as an antiseptic has been found to be ten times more powerful than carbolic acid and yet is non-toxic and non-irritating to the skin.What Are The Benefits?
The Australian Aborigines were the first to unearth the benefits of Tea Tree long ago when they began to harvest the leaves for their medicinal use. Tea Tree oil products are now increasingly sought after as extensive scientific studies over recent years have shown it to be effective against bacterial, viral and fungal organisms whilst being a powerful immuno-stimulant, increasing the body’s ability to fight off illness or infection. Melaleuca Oil is also a parasiticide and used by many as a flea, headlouse and insect repellent.
It can alleviate inflammation and may help wound healing by encouraging tissue regeneration.
How Safe Is It?
Tea Tree oil is non-toxic. It is generally non-irritating but as with all essential oils those with sensitive skin should use the oil in low dilutions to begin with.
Feel free to click on the navigation items around this site for more information on how tea tree essential oil can help you.
Tea tree oil dog treatments
On February 07, 2008 in Animals
Tea tree oil to treat dogs
Tea tree oil has many uses when it comes to our canine pets - we can use it to treat fleas, wash their coats, or help heal wounds.
Botanical Dog lists a number of ways tea tree oil can be used on dogs:
Antiseptic Tea Tree Oil is an excellent natural antiseptic for many of your pets skin disorders.
The oil immediately penetrates outer skin layers and mixes with body oils to treat such conditions as insect bites, cuts, burns, infected wounds, bruises, boils, lice, hot spots.
Anti-inflammatory Tea Tree Oil Tea tree oil has pain-numbing properties and can be used topically for sprains, arthritis, eczema. DILUTE with a carrier oil or shampoo since the pure essential oil would be irritating to sensitive areas.
Anti-fungal Tea Tree Oil Tea tree oil is an excellent antifungal and can be employed as a pet medication of yeast infections, fungus, and ringworm. For ringworm apply a tea tree gel, cream, or essential oil (with almond oil) to the affected area, or add a few drops of tea tree essential oil to the bath water.
To fight plaque at your dogs teeth, brush with toothpaste containing tea tree oil.
For pet use, make a 15 percent solution of tea tree oil by mixing 2 tbsp. full strength Tea Tree oil with 4 tbsp 80 proof vodka, vegetable glycerine or sulfated castor oil. Shake well and continue adding liquid until no oil floats to surface. Add any combination of enough ALoe Verajuice or gel, herbal tea (such as comfrey or calendula) and pure water to fill container to the 3/4 cup mark. Also, keep the oil away from the pets eyes.
Using tea tree oil to teat eczema in dogs
Footprints recommends the following solution to treat your dog’s eczema:
Tea tree oil can also be used to treat eczema and mange, and flea and tick bites. Mix 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil in with the lather when you wash your pet and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing.
Golden Glow has the following information for using tea tree oil to prevent fleas in dogs:
Rinse all bedding (after routine laundering) with a strong dilution of eucalyptus or tea tree oil (cheaper to buy in larger amounts than neem) and hang up on the line to dry without rinsing, repeating at least monthly. Vacuum carpets well and frequently. Use a strong eucalyptus or tea tree oil dilution in the watering can to soak pet’s kennel and favourite sleeping patches on sand, paving or doormats etc. (DO NOT use eucalyptus or tea tree oil or citronella directly onto animals, ESPECIALLY NOT ON CATS, as insecticidal dilutions of these oils are likely to be toxic to animals). Salt can be sprinkled between paving stones to repel fleas.
Tea tree oil dog medication
Doggie’s Paradise has the following advice for using tea tree oil on your dog:
Because pets also suffer many of the same disorders as humans, tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) can be used for pet medication of arthritis, bad breath, ringworm, or ear infections. For external application, mix 1 teaspoon tea tree oil with 1 cup of water. When using tea tree oil for pet medication, always dilute it as full strength can cause irritations.
Do not use tea tree oil internally! Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) contains toxic cyclic terpenes. Thus, apply it only on areas where your dog cannot lick it off! Do not use it on open wounds.
Next time your pooch is suffering, you may just want to try one of these tea tree oil dog treatments.
Tea tree oil blemish remedy
On February 07, 2008 in Skin, Acne
We’ve all had blemishes that pop up at the most inconvenient times, in the most inappropriate places. Did you know tea tree oil can be used to help cure your blemish?
Tea Tree Wonders has the following advice about using tea tree oil to treat blemishes and acne:
Face it, when you are looking for a great acne treatment, tea tree oil is proving itself to be an effective tool. The tea tree is good at fighting a number of bacterial, fungal, and viral agents. Although it’s a useful natural solution, it’s not as strong as some antibiotics available.
That can be good news, because there are often fewer side effects with treatments like tea tree oil when a stronger antiseptic may not be necessary. Tea tree oil has been tested since the 1920’s, but not all of the research has been scientifically documented, and some is outdated, and therefore viewed as merely anecdotal.
Just looking at the research available, natural skin treatments can be a viable alternative, especially if you have sensitive skin, or want to stay away from a chemical treatment like Benzyl peroxide.
Using tea tree oil for blemish
Cosmetics Cop recommends a three step system for reducing blemishes – 1. Cleansing 2. Exfoliating and 3. Topical Disinfecting. Here’s what they have to say about using tea tree oil for blemishes and disinfecting skin:
Tea tree oil has some interesting research showing it to be an effective disinfectant. The Medical Journal of Australia (October 1990, pages 455–458) compared the efficacy of 5% tea tree oil, to that of 5% benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of acne. The conclusion was that “both treatments were effective in reducing the number of inflamed lesions throughout the trial, with a significantly better result for benzoyl peroxide when compared to the tea tree oil. Skin oiliness was lessened significantly in the benzoyl peroxide group versus the tea tree oil group.” Unfortunately, most products on the market contain little more than a 1% concentration of tea tree oil, not the 5% strength used in the study.
Tea tree oil cure for blemish
Kidzworld has this to say about using tea tree oil on a blemish:
Dab pure tea tree oil on blemishes three times per day, or add three to six drops of pure tea tree oil to warm water and rinse affected area. Apply tea tree antiseptic cream for day-time treatment. Some suggested products - Body Shop has a killer line of tea tree stuff that zaps zits. Try their antiseptic, their facial scrub and their dab-on gel.
Using tea tree oil blemish remedy on your face
ChristiaNet has an article devoted to the benefits of using tea tree oil to treat a blemish:
Tea tree oil for acne may be used to treat skin problems that range from minor irritations to severe acne. The special oil derived from the leaf of a tree found primarily in Australia and in Asia is used as a healing agent for many different ailments. But, those who suffer from acne claim that when this amazing product is placed on irritated blemished areas, there are positive results. There are many products and remedies that have been tried throughout the years in an attempt to help those who have the social and physical discomforts of problem blemishes, and tea tree oil for acne treatment is among some of the most beneficial and natural products to be found. When used in conjunction with certain vitamin supplements, a healthy diet plan, exercise, and cleansing regimens, the battle against blemishes can be won. In cases of severe acne, following a doctor’s advice will also bring about the best case scenario for improved skin conditions. Anyone embarking on a battle against skin conditions, such as blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads, will want to conduct research and discover all of the natural products that are proving to be helpful.
To effectively get control of blemish problems several areas must be addressed. Tea tree oil for acne is great in fighting the bacteria build up that is the result of excessive sebum productions. Known for its anti-bacterial agent, this product can also fight other common bacterial and fungal problems such as perspiration odor, athletes foot, cold sores, and even bad breath. This agent is often used as an equal to benzoyl peroxide, but is a natural and not a synthetic solution. But, tea tree oil for acne treatment only treats the bacterial component of the blemish problem. Hormone production, proper care, prevention, and healing are other areas that will need to be addressed if a complete recovery is desired.
So if you have an unsightly mark on your face, try using a tea tree oil blemish remedy.