March 12th, 2008Tea Tree Oil - Part I
by Lindsay Wolsey, MH
It seems like there has been a rash (literally) of people lately breaking out with various skin conditions. In addition, they’ve usually had it for several months before telling me about it – as if by ignoring it, it might go away. Instead, it gets worse and travels to different areas of the body, and gets harder to treat.
Tea Tree Oil is the essential oil steamed distilled from the Australian plant Melaleuca alternifolia. This oil is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-biotic, anti-microbial, anti-septic and anti-inflammatory. This is definitely something you want to add to your first aid kit. Tea Tree Oil seems to be one of a few essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin, although we generally recommend using a carrier with all essential oils.
Tea Tree Oil once healed a persistent infection that had been treated with conventional anti-biotics for 12 months! It is a very potent oil.
History of Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil has been around for a long time. Thousands of years ago, Australian aborigines were crushing the leaves and using them for medicine. During World War II, the Australian Government commandeered all of the Tea Tree Oil for the use of the military. The soldiers in the Pacific carried Tea Tree oil in their first aid kits. After the war, Tea Tree Oil fell out of fashion for awhile, as everyone embraced anti-biotics. Fortunately, in the late 70’s interest in Tea Tree Oil started up again.
What Do I Use Tea Tree Oil For?
Tea Tree Oil is an excellent alternative to topical anti-biotics that may need to be used every day. This oil has been used with great success for psoriasis, sores, eczema, rashes, thrush, foot odors. It is also used for cuts, stings, burns, bites, acne, vaginal infections, sore throats, cold sores, and warts. It can be used for infected or ingrown toenails. You can use it in shampoo to treat dandruff. Tea Tree Oil works well for athlete’s foot. It can be beneficial for chicken pox. New uses are being discovered all the time.
Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/Tea_Tree_I.pdf
March 13th, 2008 at 3:35 am
Hi, Justed wanted to add that the first time I ever used Tea Tree oil was to cure nail fungus. I used it daily (sometimes I went for a week or even two not using it) for 6 month on my toe nails and completely cured the fungus and it never came back. I now use Tea Tree oil for just about every skin condition anyone in the family gets. I have even used it on poison ivy. I just love the stuff and recommend it to people all the time.
March 14th, 2008 at 5:09 am
My mother has wonderful effects from Cayenne foot baths on the fungal problems under her toes and dry skin from under-active thyroid. Try to keep the feet in the bath for 20 minutes and the water should only be warm.
October 6th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Is a cayenne foot bath good for dry cracked feet? Would Tea Tree Oil help?
March 15th, 2009 at 6:16 am
How effective was this for people?
November 21st, 2009 at 3:11 am
Tea tree is good for “infectious” skin diseases: fungal, bacterial, acne
However, i find it’s usage limited for “rashes”, eczema, and psoriasis. Instead, try using herbs that address the liver, and talk to your local naturopath about potential food allergies!