Tea tree oil. If you’ve heard of it, it was probably through an advertisement for a face wash, a skin cream, a lotion, or another type of skincare product. Don’t think they’re fooling around, because this ingredient actually does have something good in store for you. It is the ‘jack of all trades’ as far as home remedies go. It’s almost magical, to say the least.
Suggested read: The very best benefits of lavender and lavender oil for your skin and hair
Tea tree oil, also known as the Melaleuca Alternifolia, was first discovered in Australia. It has been used for quite a while now, but it is only in the past decade that the world has caught on to the many healing properties and benefits of tea tree oil. It is derived from the distillation of the leaves of the ‘tea tree,’ which is native to Australia and hasn’t been found naturally occurring anywhere else.
Image source: jujuaroma
There are many uses for tea tree oil, but it is mainly known for its antiseptic or infection-reducing benefits. More so, the benefits of tea tree oil also include antibiotic properties that’ll help you get rid of almost any common skin and hair problem.
When we look at the benefits of tea tree oil for skin, there are plenty of them to keep your skin happy. Let’s look at some of them:
1. Say hello to healthy skin
Be it dark spots, blemishes, pimples, blackheads, or whatever that breaks out on your skin, this oil can heal it all. It is a savior for the likes of us who just can’t get rid of pimples, even after puberty is long gone. All you need to do is dab a few drops of oil on a cotton swab and apply it over the affected areas. There are many face washes and gels out there that use tea tree oil, so, get your hands on them!
2. No more ugly razor burns
We all need to use that razor every now and then. Somehow we manage to end up with razor burns and ingrown hair. If this is familiar territory for you, then worry not! Just dab a few drops of tree tea oil on a cotton ball and apply it on the affected area after you’re done shaving. It can be a tad bit too strong, so you can dilute it in water and then use it. It is the best aftershave you can find!
3. Kick acne’s butt
Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
Tea tree oil is the perfect natural alternative for curing acne without any uncalled for side effects. You must have seen quite a few anti-acne products with tea tree oil on their ingredients list. It fights off acne-producing bacteria on the skin and the best part is that there are no side effects like reddening or skin peeling. It also reduces the sebum produced by the skin and fights off acne-inducing bacteria on the skin. So, why use all the chemicals when you have something so amazing (just as effective as benzoly peroxide)? Just mix a few drops with 1tbsp each of honey and yogurt, and apply it on your acne. Wash it off after a good 20 minutes and you’ll definitely see some difference.
4. Skin treatment
Tea tree oil is known to be one of the most effective home remedies for viral and fungal infections like athlete’s foot and nail infections. Its magic doesn’t stop there! It has antiseptic properties and is used to treat cuts, wounds, boils, burns, and other skin problems that you might face.
It even cures problems like warts, corns (yes, those painful things), ringworm, and even something as basic as chapped lips. Just boil the tea tree leaves in water and dab the solution with cotton and apply it. If you’re using the oil, then dilute it a little in water and then apply it on the affected area. The redness and itching will definitely reduce and then you can thank the Australians!
Suggested read: STOP making these skin care mistakes if you have oily skin
5. Dry skin no more
Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
Yes. Yes. Yes! Not only does it make all your skin problems go away, it even keeps your skin all happy! All you need to do is add about 5 spoons of tea tree oil to one spoon of almond oil and massage it gently onto your skin. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and then head to your shower. It will leave your skin feeling soft, supple, and glowing. Regular use of tea tree oil will keep your skin hydrated for a longer period of time.
6. It is medicinal
Burns, cuts, or any other kind of wound? Tea tree oil is here to the rescue! It soothes and heals your burns and cuts naturally. If you have any sort of rashes or insect bites, it’ll give you relief from the burning and itching. You can also use it for the removal of skin tags! Add a few drops of oil to your bath water to keep your skin problem-free.
Now that we’ve got your skin covered, let’s give your hair some attention as well. Yes, tea tree oil is good for your beloved mane too! There are many benefits of tea tree oil for hair. The best part about tea tree oil is that it can be used for any kind of hair, no matter what style, texture, or length. It has been used for over a thousand years now, and for good reason. Its natural properties make it a great natural treatment for any scalp ailments. It could be oily hair, dandruff, or an itchy scalp – it’s a cure-all remedy. It is also a good treatment to turn to when you’re looking to grow your hair.
So, why does tea tree oil work? It works because it can remove dead cells, unblock hair follicles, and give a boost to your immune system that helps fight hair loss and other scalp issues. This keeps your hair free from head lice and dandruff, so it will be all healthy and nice.
Just make sure that you mix tea tree oil with a carrier oil like coconut, almond, olive, or any other oil that you use to treat your hair regularly. The reason being that tea tree oil alone is too strong for your scalp to handle. If you use it directly, it might just do the opposite and make your hair brittle and weak. There are quite a few ways to treat your hair using this oil.
1. The oil
Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
You can use tea tree oil on your scalp for a regular massage. Just make sure that you mix it with a carrier oil like almond oil, olive oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil. This will be perfect for any scalp issues like hair loss, lice, itchiness, dandruff, or even dryness. The combination of oils gives you healthy and moisturized hair. It also promotes hair growth. You can mix about 8-10 drops of tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon of any other oil. Massage it on your scalp and leave it for about 10-15 minutes, then wash it off with shampoo. You might feel a tingling sensation, but that’s perfectly normal.
2. Tea tree oil shampoo
This process is also very effective in treating any scalp ailments. You’ll find that there are many tea tree oil based shampoos to choose from. You can also mix a few drops of tea tree oil to the shampoo that you use regularly. Just mix about 5-6 drops of oil in the shampoo and use the same when you need to wash your hair. This is very effective, especially for treating head lice and dandruff. If you’re treating your hair for lice, just comb your hair with a fine toothed comb after washing. It will help remove the lice and eggs easily.
Suggested read: The many benefits of almond oil for your skin, hair, and health
3. Tea tree oil spray
This is similar to your tea tree oil except that you’ll be mixing and diluting the oil with water instead of another oil. All you need to do is fill the spray bottle with an ounce of tea tree oil and a few ounces of water. Spray it on your entire scalp and cover your hair with a towel for maximum absorption. Leave it on for 15 minutes before you rinse it with shampoo for beautiful, shiny hair.
Just remember that tea tree oil should not be swallowed or used orally. Also, make sure that you use a small quantity at first to check for any signs of being allergic to it. There are plenty of benefits of tea tree oil. It is a natural oil that can help keep your skin and hair healthy. But again, this should just be a part of your overall skin and hair care routine. A good balanced diet, plenty of water, and some exercise regularly are going to work wonders for both your skin and hair. If you’re doing all of that and then using tea tree oil, then you’re definitely going to be one happy human!
Featured image source: livestrong
Facebook
Disqus
Google + 
