Archive for September, 2008
Tea tree oil and bee stings
On September 27, 2008 in Skin, General
Tea tree oil is a natural astringent and has antibiotic properties, so it helps to speed recovery from bee stings. Some experts will say they think tea tree oil actually stays on the wound longer than normal antisepctics or antibiotic creams because it combines with the skin’s natural oil.
Mommy.com has an article about how to use tea tree oil for wasp and bee stings - here’s a quote from their article:-
For bee stings, first remove the stinger and clean the area with diluted bicarbonate soda. For a wasp sting, clean the area with either diluted lemon juice or vinegar and then put two drops of lavender and two drops of tea tree oil on a cold cloth and put it over the sting site. This will take away the pain and work as an anti-bacterial agent at the same time, while the cold cloth will help reduce the swelling.
Lavender has remarkable soothing properties not only on the skin, but the scent has a calming effect. It is an anti-inflammatory as well as analgesic and promotes healthy healing of the tissue.
Tea Tree Oil is unusual in that it is active against all three varieties of infectious organisms: viruses, bacteria and fungi. It has a powerful immune-stimulant, so when the body is threatened by one of these infectious organisms the tea tree oil increases your ability to fight infections.
How much tea tree oil do I use for bee stings?
Bella Online has an in-depth article about the many uses of tea tree oil - here’s what they suggest for the treatment of mosquito bites and bee stings:-
Bites: for mosquito bites and bee stings dilute 1 part tea tree oil in 3 parts olive oil and apply to the affected area.
Tea tree oil repellant to avoid bee stings
Here’s a really handy tip for a home-made spray which will help deter bees from Life Tools for Women:-
BeeGone Spray: For exposed areas, make up a spritzer bottle of one teaspoon of tea tree essential oil, one teaspoon of lavender essential oil, one teaspoon of citronella oil and half a cup of vodka. Firstly, spray it on the hands then apply to the neck and face, avoiding the eyes.
Treat bee stings with tea tree oil and lavender
Skin Care Recipes and Remedies offers the following advice for treating bee stings using tea tree oil:-
Mix 2 drops of tea tree oil with 1 drop of lavender oil. Use a cotton swab to gently apply on the spot.
Tea tree oil for Bacterial Vaginosis
On September 27, 2008 in Yeast Infections
Bacterial Vaginosis is a common vaginal infection among Western women. Resulting from an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina, it is the most common cause of discharge. The most common symptom of bacterial vaginosis sufferers is a strong, unpleasant musky odour - particularly after sexual intercourse.
The Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrent website offers the following in-depth treatments on how to treat Bacterial Vaginosis using tea tree oil:
To treat Bacterial Vaginosis with Tea tree oil, you can purchase tea tree oil suppositories from your local health food store or make your own tea tree suppository using a gel capsule that contains a mixture of 1/3 tea tree oil to 2/3 vitamin E oil. If you prefer to use a tea tree oil tampon instead, you should prepare the same mixture and saturate a clean and sanitary tampon in it for a short while. Afterwards, you can insert the saturated tea tree oil tampon into your vagina. For those of you that prefer douches, you can make a tea tree oil douche that contains 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil and 2 cups of water. Either way, you should use the treatment every single day for up to six weeks.
Keep in mind, however, that you should never take tea tree oil orally as it can cause a host of issues including, but not limited to diarrhea, depression, difficulty walking, drowsiness, muscle weakness, impaired immune system, loss of coordination, and muscle tremors. In addition, you should never apply tea tree oil directly into your vagina without mixing it with a carrier (water or vitamin E oil) as this can cause skin irritation, blistering, itching, and redness and even blisters.
In conclusion, treating Bacterial Vaginosis with Tea tree oil may be an effective treatment option for those seeking to rid themselves of this vaginal infection. However, you should carefully weight all risks before undergoing this holistic treatment or any other treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis.
Tea tree oil may be helpful to treat bacterial vaginosis
True Star Health’s website contains the following information about how to use tea tree oil in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis:-
Topically applied tea tree oil has been studied and used successfully as a topical treatment for Trichomonas, Candida albicans, and other vaginal infections.7 Tea tree oil must be diluted when used as a vaginal douche, and should only be used for this purpose under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner. Some physicians suggest using tea tree oil by mixing the full-strength oil with vitamin E oil in the proportion of 1/3 tea tree oil to 2/3 vitamin E oil. A tampon is saturated with this mixture or the mixture is put in a capsule to be inserted in the vagina each day for a maximum of six weeks.
Apple cider, tea tree oil to treat bacterial vaginosis
Health Articles for Women recommends using apple cider to help with the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis:-
Tea tree oil contains antimicrobial properties that are especially effective in treating Bacterial Vaginosis. It can be used vaginally through tea tree oil soaked tampons, douches and suppositories. Mixing tea tree oil with pure apple cider and adding this to a bath will get rid of bacterial vaginosis.
Tea tree oil for bug bites
On September 27, 2008 in Skin, General
Next time you’re planning on going out for a hike or bushwalk, make sure your first aid kit includes a bottle of tea tree oil, as it’s the perfect cure for taking the sting out of bug bites.
Apply tea tree oil solution to the bug bite
Pretty Smart Natural Ideas has the following recipe containing tea tree oil so you can make your own solution to treat bug bites using tea tree oil:
FOR ITCHY INSECT BITES
to alleviate swelling and relieve itching of insect bites.1 drop Roman Chamomile
1 drop tea-tree
1 drop savory
2 oz. witch hazel extractBlend oils with witch-hazel.
Soak a cotton ball in the mix and dab on insect bites.
Also helps protect skin from infection resulting from scratching
Mix tea tree oil with aloe vera gel for bug bites
Here’s a quote from an article called “My Guide to Insect Bites“:
No wonder they’re the number one natural choice for treating insect bites, bee and wasp stings. They help in easing small pestering conditions, such as minor rashes, insect bites, and calluses on our feet. For insect bites: Mix a 5% dilution of tea tree oil with aloe vera gel.
Natural remedy using tea tree oil for bug bites
About.com : Green Living offers the following advice for a natural remedy using tea tree oil:-
When a bug, like a mosquito or a chigger, bites it injects a bit of its saliva into your skin. It is this saliva, along with your body’s reaction to it, which causes that unpleasant itch. But do not scratch, that only makes things worse. Perhaps the most effective is tea tree oil and lavender. The tea tree oil disinfects the area while the lavender is a natural anti-inflammatory. Go ahead and apply the oil to the skin and let it do its magic. You also smell good too.
Tea tree oil for burns
On September 17, 2008 in Skin
When skins is exposed to excessive heat from fire, eletricity or corrosive chemicals, damage in the tissue occurs which is commonly known as a burn. Tea tree oil has been found to be an effective topical treatment in the case of burns to the skin.
Tea tree oil - a natural treatment for burns
Here’s a rundown from The Herbs Place about how tea tree oil can be used in the treatment of burns:-
Being a non-greasy and volatile oil, Tea Tree Oil is excellent for burns. Any of the oil which has not been absorbed within 10 minutes will evaporate, allowing the skin to breathe. Speedy treatment is essential. The burn should be put under cold running water or packed in ice for one minute. Then, alternate applications of Tea Tree Oil and cold water for ten more minutes. The oil may be poured from the bottle directly over the burn. The oil can be applied liberally twice daily for three to four days if necessary.
Tea tree oil used as a mild anaesthetic
Molly’s Herbals states that tea tree oil has been used as an antiseptic treatment for thousands of years:-
Tea tree oil acts as a mild anesthetic when applied to painful areas and to soothe cuts and burns. It can help heal as well as reduce scarring.
Tea Tree Oil, also known as Melaleuca, was used as a general antiseptic by the aborigine tribes for thousands of years. Aborigines were known to chew on the leaves. It was used as a medicinal agent for cuts, burns, bites and many, skin ailments.
First- Be careful when buying Tea Tree Oil. Tea Tree Oil is available commercially in a range of grades. It is worthwhile to use the best quality oil you can find. Very often, you get what you pay for. Make sure to find out what kind of Tea Tree Oil you are getting.
Tea tree oil and boils
On September 17, 2008 in Skin
Boils are typically round, pus-filled bumps on the skin. The infection usually starts deep in the hair follicle and spreads its way to the surface of the skin, often appearing quite suddenly. Boils are painful, red and usually very tender. They are common, particularly in children and teenagers.
Without treating a boil, it will typically open, then drain, and heal anywhere between 7 days and 3 weeks. If you treat the boil, the life of the boil is reduced so its symptoms are far less severe.
Tea tree oil has been found to be an effective natural treatment for boils.
How can I use tea tree oil for boils?
Healing Daily offers the following advice on how to use tea tree oil to treat boils:-
Tea tree oil, which is the oil from the leaves of the Australian tea tree, may be used to directly treat the skin where the boil is located. Tea tree oil is a great antibacterial and germicidal agent.(Tea tree oil-based toothpastes and mouthwash may also be used to treat canker sores.)
In some rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions may occur. Only apply a small amount the first time you use tea tree oil, to make sure there is no irritation of the skin. Tea tree oil may burn if it comes in contact with the eyes, the mouth or the nose. Finally, do not ingest the oil.
Tea tree oil is safe for children as it is for adults. Tea tree oil is non-toxic and can be applied at full strength to boils. Apply a light coating 3 to 4 times a day, and continue for 2 weeks after the infection has disappeared.
When buying Tea Tree Oil, look for pure 100% tea tree oil.
Method for using teat tree oil on boils
At the first sign of a boil, apply tea tree oil immediately. Sometimes a boil can be stopped if only in the beginning stages if an hourly application of tea tree oil is applied.
Herbal Serenity offers the following method on how to use tea tree oil in the treatment of boils:-
Dab some tea tree oil onto the boil with a piece of cotton to help bring it to a head, then cover with a piece of gauze. Cover the gauze with a damp washcloth, followed by a dry towel and then apply a heating pad. Leave on a low temperature for about 15 minutes. Change your dressing and reapply the tea tree oil. The oil helps bring the boil to a head while the warm compress helps pull the infection out of the skin; the tea tree oil then acts as an antiseptic and antibiotic on the bacteria in the pus. Be sure to throw away the gauze each time, and wash your hands with tea tree oil soap each time you handle the gauze or touch the boil.
Alternative treatment - tea tree oil for boils
CNN.com’s Health library offers the following caution about using tea tree oil for boils:-
Tea tree oil, which is extracted from the leaves of the Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), has been used for centuries as an antiseptic, antibiotic and antifungal agent. It may help relieve discomfort and speed healing.
For best results, apply the oil to a boil several times a day. The oil can cause allergic reactions in some people, so be sure to stop using it if you have any problems.