HISTORY OF TEA TREE OIL
The essential oil from the tea tree oil has been used for centuries, and numerous medical research has proven its benefits as an aid in the elimination of viruses, bacteria, and fungal growth. It is acknowledged for its ability to treat wounds, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties. There is a belief that prior to the invention of prescription medicines and antibiotics it was believed that the Australian natives were highly praised for the healing properties Tea Tree leaves have to provide. In addition to making tea infusions, or crushing them in order to inhale the comforting aroma of essential oils to treat colds and coughs they were sprayed on wounded areas and secured using the use of mud pack poultices. Applying them in this manner to the skin poultices could be used to treat wound infections.
It is not to be misunderstood with normal tea plants, which are used to make green and black teas The Tea Tree got its name from sailors in the eighteenth century who created teas that smelled of Nutmeg, made using the leaves from the Tea Tree. According to legend, it was the “Tea Tree” was first advertised through the Captain James Cook on Botany Bay in Australia after he saw the Aboriginals making the aromatic and spicy mix of camphor-like sticky leaves, which had been collected in the Melaleuca tree. The story goes that Captain James Cook made tea and served it to his crew members in order to stop Scurvy. However, despite this story of drinking tea made of leaves, Tea Tree Essential Oil is not designed for internal consumption and could cause toxic effects in the event of ingestion even in tiny quantities. There is only a small amount of essential oils that naturally occur that are found inside Tea Tree leaves that have historically been used in the production of tea, however Tea Tree Essential Oil is highly concentrated and may cause poisoning.
The Tea Tree Essential Oil is extracted and steam-distilled from the leaf of Melaleuca alternifolia plant. It is widely known by the name of Tea Tree. It is a native plant to the swampy areas that lie along the Eastern Australian coast as well as up to Southeast Queensland. The botanical name “alternifolia” means “having leaves that alternate on each side of a stem.” Tea Tree flowers grow on tall evergreen trees and form in clusters around the head or “spike.” Clustered together on the spike, more than eighty flower petals form the shape of white cleaning brushes , with small bristles.
BENEFITS OF TEA TREE OIL
The Tea Tree Essential Oil’s powerful chemical constituents are responsible for its popularity as a potent and yet gentle stimulant to the immune system and its ability to diminish or remove infection-causing bacteria on contact. It has been known to ease allergies to the skin and combat burns, rashes acne, dandruff Foot and head lice, among other conditions. The principal components that make up Tea Tree Oil are: A-pinene and b-pinene Sabinene, Myrcene, a-Phellandrene A-Terpinene Limonene 1,8-cineole Gamma-Terpinene, P-Cymene Terpinolene, Linalool, Terpinen-4-ol and the a-Terpineol.
The highest high-quality Tea Tree Essential Oil contains high levels of Terpinen-4-ol as well as lower concentrations of Cineole. The ideal concentrations of each constituent assure security and broader scope of application in the oils. Terpinen-4ol is a monoterpene with a high purity and this group of compounds is believed for its antibacterial properties. While there are many benefits of Cineole to treat colds, a large Cineole concentration is not effective for calming inflammation or for the treatment of wounds. Therefore, for the purpose of therapeutics it is important for this component to be present in lower concentrations of Tea Tree Oil.
Pinene is well-known for its anti-inflammatory as well as its antiseptic, expectorant, and bronchodilator qualities. Sabinene is believed to function as an antioxidant and has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It can also be utilized to treat inflammation of the skin. Myrcene has been believed to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesicand antibiotic and sedative properties. A-Terpinene is known to possess antifungal properties. Limonene has been believed to possess anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. 1,8-Cineole contains analgesics and antibacterial, antifungal Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, as well as antiviral qualities. It is believed to improve brain blood circulation, ease tension headaches, and serve as an anti-cough medication. P-Cymene may have antioxidant properties and can be a protective agent that can safeguard nerve cells from destruction. Linalool is a chemical that has been identified as a tranquilizing, helping to lower stress levels, fight depression, and also to ease inflammation.
Tea Tree Oil can be utilized in cleaning products for the home such as laundry soaps polishes, hand soaps air fresheners and insect repellents. It is able to eliminate harmful bacteria and mold from surfaces like dishwashers and shower curtains, and when diffused, it functions the same way when it is diffused into the air. The fresh, somewhat like camphor, medicinal smell of the oil is compared to the smell of Eucalyptus. When utilized for aromatherapy it can alleviate anxiety, fatigue and even brain fog.
When used topically and for cosmetic purposes, Tea Tree Oil can help with skin problems which makes it a fantastic product for personal care cosmetic products and toiletries like bar soaps, face washes shampoos, body washes conditioners and deodorants. They also have salves, massage oils, moisturizers as well as nail conditioning products.
CULTIVATING AND HARVESTING QUALITY TEA TREE OIL
Tea Tree is able to thrive in a variety of climates and soils. This includes ones from Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and even some regions in the United States. Many Melaleucas thrive on moist soils with good drainage and are exposed to full sun. other varieties are more adapted to wet sandy soils like swamps, marshes and bogs. Some varieties are able to thrive in sandy, dry soils and even in salt pans.
Because of the speed at that they expand and spread, Due to the speed at which they grow, Tea Trees are harvested within two years after they were planted. In the M. alternifolia plantations modified forage harvesters are employed to chop leaves and twigs into biomass – a pile of plant matter that can be shipped to a plant to be distilled. The quantity and quality of oil extracted by Tea Tree leaves depend on the time of the year the leaves are harvested and cut; Australian producers have observed that winter months yield less oil.
HOW IS TEA TREE OIL EXTRACTED?
Every Tea Tree leaf contains tiny sacs that release the oil. Tea Tree Essential Oil is extracted by steam distillation process of the biomass made up from Tea Tree leaves and twigs. The distillation facility is where the biomass is soaked and cooked using steam in sealed chambers. The remainder of the biomass from which oil is extracted can be returned to the harvesting area. Because of its purity, in terms of being free of pollutants and seeds of weeds, it’s also offered as mulch. This is a way to ensure the protection of the balance of nature that will ensure the future of plants and resources.
TEA TREE OIL USES
The uses of Tea Tree Essential Oil are numerous, from odorless and medicinal to cosmetic. The various forms it comes in comprise of oils, gels soaps, lotions and sprays to mention a few ideas to make your own products.
In aromatherapy, the scent is a part of Tea Tree Essential Oil is breathed in and the scent receptors in the brain’s emotional powerhouse process this scent as soothing as it allows the body and brain to unwind. A small amount of oil brushed onto pillows can help speed up the to fall asleep by alleviating anxiety and enhancing the quality of sleep. Tea Tree Oil’s properties of expectoration are also effective in helping to ease respiratory tract infections and congestion. When you place a few drops in a steaming cup of hot water, and then sitting on it to breathe in the aromatic vapors using an over-the-head towel, draped over the head and container, Tea Tree Oil can be used to relieve an infection in the sinuses.
In a solution that is diluted with a carrier oil and applied topically to treat skin conditions, Tea Tree Oil’s antiseptic properties could help in eliminating internal bodily toxins and promote sweating. The oil is believed to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This soothing oil can ease minor sores, burns, cuts, and bites by reducing pain, preventing bleeding, removing infections from wounds and encouraging the closure of wounds. Its ability to improve skin tone and improve the appearance and feel of acne-prone skin can be seen on the skin with acne on which it helps to reduce the look of ageing thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties. An easy DIY Tree Tree lotion can be created through mixing 5 drops of Tea Tree Oil with five drops of Lavender Oil and then diluting the mix by adding one teaspoon Coconut Carrier Oil. To clean the skin and improve the appearance of pores A few drops of dilute Tea Tree Oil can be gentlely applied to problematic spots on the skin using an unclean cotton buds. If combined together with the other oils essential to your skin and dilute, Tea Tree Oil can also be used as an oil-balancing toner to balance oily skin. In a relaxing, warm bathtub, Tea Tree Essential Oil can help relieve irritation to the respiratory system and the skin.
For hair care, Tea Tree Oil is known to be an antiseptic , which effectively gets rid of lice, nits and other lice. In cooling dry, flaking skin, this fungicide oil can revive the scalp and get rid of hair flakes while increasing circulation, which in turn stimulates growing hair. DIY Tea Tree shampoo can be created by mixing Tea Tree Oil with other essential oils like Lavender as well as diluting the mixture by mixing in Aloe Vera Gel and Coconut Milk. To use it as a topical antimicrobial deodorant Tea Tree Oil is dilute by Coconut Carrier Oil and mixed with baking soda prior to applying it to the armpits. Other fungal ailments which Tea Tree Oil has been identified to treat include athlete’s Foot and nail fungus.
For disinfecting the air, Tea Tree Essential Oil is an natural, non-toxic, anti-microbial air freshener which eliminates viruses, bacteria as well as mold, from your air. When combined along with Lemon Essential Oil, this spray will freshen up the air and get rid of body odors that are trapped in footwear and sports equipment. To remove odors from laundry that are that are caused by the build-up of microbes in washing machines 3 drops Tea Tree Oil can be added to laundry detergent. A surface cleaner can be created using a mixture of Tea Tree Oil with vinegar and Lemon Essential Oil and then diluting the mix by adding water prior to using it on sinks, counter tops and showers, kitchen appliances and toilets. The solution shouldn’t be applied to marble or granite, since vinegar is acidic and can cause the stone to break down. the stone.
