Tea Tree Oil Natural and Healthy Hair Care Solution

Tea tree oil is yellowish green oil extracted from the leaves of the melaleuca tree, native to Australia. The main chemical components of tea tree oil are Terpinen-4-ol, Cymene, Pinene, Terpinene, and Cineole. Terpinen4-ol is the main ingredient that lends the anti-microbial properties. Tea tree oil is steam distilled from the tree’s leaves.

One popular use of the tea tree oil medicinal properties is in shampoos to help fight dandruff and other scalp problems. Many of the major suppliers of hair care product are now offering shampoos containing tea tree oil, as the demand for organic and natural products has increased. Tea tree oil is an essential oil known for its medicinal properties. It is obtained after steam distillation of the tree Melaleuca alternifolia, which is a native of New South Wales, Australia.

Extensively used in aromatherapy, the leaves when crushed release essential oils of varying amounts and constituents. The oil is so potent that it can be diluted up to many times its volume and it still manages to retain its effectiveness all the same.

Although the benefits of tea tree oil are numerous, for beauty treatments, it’s been found effective in skin and hair care. The following sections describe the uses of Tea Tree Oil for skin care and hair care.

Hair Care With Tea Tree Oil

Dandruff:

Dandruff can be linked to a variety of sources, including infection, poor diet and bad nerve stimulation. It can also be caused by a yeast called Petyrosporum ovale or a fungus called trichoplyton that live on the scalp. Tea tree oil eliminates bacteria and fungus, stopping these types of dandruff. The Mayo Clinic reports that using shampoo containing 5 percent tea tree oil is effective in treating mild-to-moderate dandruff.

Lice:

Tea tree oil is used to prevent and treat lice infestations. While over-the-counter shampoos are more effective at treating lice, they also contain chemical pesticides that can cause side effects. Tea tree oil is a safe alternative. To treat lice, add five to 10 drops of tea tree oil to shampoo and wash the hair, massaging the mixture into the scalp. This will dislodge mature lice from the hair, and they can easily be combed out with a lice comb. To prevent new infestations, pour a few drops of tea tree oil into a water diffuser along with water and spray hair daily.

Dry Hair:

Harsh environment, overuse of hair products or over-processing of hair can cause it to become dry. A tea tree oil shampoo or the addition of tea tree oil to your shampoo helps to unblock clogged hair follicles, getting rid of product buildup. It also unblocks the sebaceous glands and allows the body’s own natural oils to moisturize the hair strands.

Cradle Cap:

Cradle cap is a crusty skin rash that appears on the scalp of infants. This rash is not painful or harmful and does not need to be treated, as it will eventually disappear on its own. If you would like to help get rid of the cradle cap more quickly, you can dilute one part tea tree oil into ten parts of another oil, such as almond oil. Gently massage the oil into the baby’s scalp. Leave it on the scalp for a few minutes before washing it out with a tea tree shampoo.

Other Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

• Tea tree oil is a strong organic solvent that can penetrate the skin unlike many other products. This helps in clearing skin infections such as boils, warts, sores and ulcers.
• Another benefit of tea tree oil is that it is capable of killing stubborn germs such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherischia coli. It doesn’t damage healthy cells and works well with other organic matter.
• Fungal infections can be treated with tea tree oil. Be it fungal nail infection or athlete’s foot or vaginal infections, tea tree oil has healing properties that can help in reducing inflammation and killing the bacteria.
• Hemorrrhoids and candidiasis can be treated with tea tree oil. Suppositories made of hydrogenated vegetable oils and tea tree oil are inserted into the rectum or vagina to treat the conditions.
• Massaging tea tree oil on sore muscles and joint injuries helps alleviate discomfort and pain.
• The benefits of tea tree oil extend to treating gum inflammation and reducing plaque.