Tea Tree

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

The tea tree / Tea tree / is a plant of the Myrtle family. Tea tree oil is extracted, which is world famous for its strong antifungal, antiviral and immunostimulating properties. Although it is said Tea tree, the plant has nothing to do with plants grown for tea.

It is widely used in aromatherapy. The main purpose of this type of alternative medicine is to have a beneficial effect on human health and tone. The main means of its action are volatile plant substances known as essential oils. The oil from Tea tree is one of the most widely used.

History of the tea tree

Native Australians used tea tree oil for hundreds of years, but it only became known to the world in the late 1700s, when an expedition by the notorious Captain James Cook began experimenting with its leaves. His crew brewed tea from the leaves, which resembled the aroma of lemon. They added tea to the beer they made.

On later trips, a botanist who was with Captain Cook noticed how the aborigines used a bush to treat infected wounds. But this did not impress the rest of the world until 1920, when a chemist named Penfold studied the properties of tea tree oil and discovered its excellent antiseptic properties. By 1925, the chemist had found that this oil was 12 times more potent than phenol (the standard by which antiseptics were measured at the time).

Australian pharmacists and doctors then began to use it widely Tea tree. Adventurers and Bushmen did not enter the desert without the miracle oil. Tea tree oil was a standard tool in first aid kits owned by British and Australian soldiers stationed in the tropics during World War II.

As with most things, demand very quickly outpaced supply, and interest in tea tree oil declined significantly after the discovery of penicillin. The oil was almost forgotten. But with growing health problems these days, his fame is being revived.

Composition of tea tree

The tea tree contains essential oil - 24% gamma-terpinene, 40% terpinene, 5% cineole and 10% alpha-terpinene. Scientists have recorded the presence of over 100 compounds in tea tree oil, some of which are unique. Many of these compounds are classified as terpene hydrocarbons or oxidative terpenes.

Selection and storage of tea tree

Tea tree can be found commercially in the form of essential oil extracted from it. There are a number of products that contain tea tree oil. Store them according to the instructions on the package. The finished products that you can find on the market are pure oil, mouthwash, ointments and creams, candles, pet shampoos, dental floss, deodorants, massage oils, soaps, shampoos and conditioners.

Benefits of tea tree

The oil from Tea tree activates brain activity, soothes, acts as an immunostimulant, antiseptic, antipruritic, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal. It is used for respiratory problems, viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Helps with colds and dry cough, sinusitis, joint pain, swelling in the legs, hemorrhoids, vaginal discharge, dandruff, acne, hair loss, osteoporosis.

Crushed tea tree leaves in hot water have long been used for inhalations and congestion in the sinuses. Infusions of crushed fresh leaves help in the treatment of colds, coughs, skin infections. Tea tree preparations kill microbes that are associated with skin infections, including viruses and bacteria in wounds.

The tea tree helps with fungal infections such as athletic foot, nail fungus, thrush on the groin, boils, cuts, varicose ulcers, surgical lesions, scabies, dermatitis, chickenpox, shingles.

Mouthwash with Tea tree is extremely useful in oral infections and gum disease. Tea tree helps with toothache, ear infections, halitosis, cypress and gangrene inflammation.

Harm from tea tree

Tea tree oil should not be taken internally because it can cause nerve damage and other serious problems. The oil causes burns if it gets into the nose, mouth, eyes and other sensitive areas. Some people may experience an allergic reaction or itching when applying tea tree oil. For this reason, when using the essential oil for the first time, use only a small dose for testing.