Native plant of Australia called Melaleuca alternifolia, is also known as tea tree. Oil of tea tree is produced by steam distillation, and it has many health benefits. Usually, when we say tea, we think about leaves, but tea tree oil is also in use for centuries for medical purposes, thanks to it healing properties.
Tea tree oil is usually used either in pure form as oil, or as an ingredient in lotions, creams, shampoos, soaps and ointments. Tea tree oil contains consituents called terpenoids and compound called terpinen-4-ol, and both of those compounds have strong antiseptic, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Tee tree oil should not be confused with kanuka oil, manuka oil, niauoili oil or Chinese tea oil.
People should use tea tree oil as a remedy in cases they have boils, acne, vaginitis, dandruff, psoriasis, athlete’s foot, lice, eczema or as antiseptic. There is not many clinical trials for tea tree oil, but the ones that has been conducted, conclude that medical properties of tea tree oil is very strong, with some possible side effects.
Side effects of tea tree oil
In people who treated athlete’s foot with undiluted tea tree oil there has been some occurrences of itching, blisters, skin irritation or redness of skin. Also in some cases, mild allergic reaction has been noticed. Also because tea tree oil may alter hormone levels, pregnant and nursing women and patients with hormone sensitive cancers should avoid using it.
Tea tree oil should not be taken internally, even in the smallest quantities, because it may cause diarrhea, impaired immune function, sleepiness or confusion. Tea tree oil is acceptable in toothpaste, but not in the mouth washes products. Also you should keep tea tree oil out of reach of the children.
Usage of tea tree oil in cases of Athlete’s foot
Tea tree oil is very effective in cases of Athlete’s foot, only it takes some time to work. In people with Athlete’s foot problems that were using 50% strong solution of tea tree oil, applied it twice per day and in the period of four weeks, significant improvements were noticed. No significant side effects were noticed.
Usage of tea tree oil in cases of Fungal Infection of the Toenails
Twice a day application of tea tree oil in cases of fungal infections of toenails of the 100% solution of oil for period of six months shows that tea tree oil was as effective as any usual topical medical anti fungal solution. Also application of 5% strong tea tree oil cream in period of 16 weeks also shows excellent results, tea tree oil cream was as effective as topical medical creams.