The Myriad Uses of Tea Tree Oil
Out of all the essential oils in the world, tea tree oil is one of the most versatile and widely studied with a range of benefits often attributed to this oil. However, there are plenty of misconceptions about what essential oils like tea tree oil can do, and what they’re often touted to do.
For example, it’s true that tea tree oil is easily adaptable for a variety of circumstances, but it’s not true that it is easily obtained or easy to come by — one of the main issues is that it only grows in one part of the world.
Here’s what you need to know about tea tree oil before trying it out — what it is, where it comes from, how it grows, how you could possibly benefit from it, most popular uses, and of course, necessary precautions everyone should take when using essential oils.
What is Tea Tree Oil?
Tea tree oil is an essential oil harvested from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifoliaplant, which is native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. This type of oil has been used for centuries, and can still be found and harvested in the same regions.
The Aboriginal people native to Australia were very familiar with tea tree oil, and according to Dr. Monisha Bhanote, MD, FCAP, “they used to keep it in their version of first aid kits. Some of its earliest uses are for reducing mouth infections, which is why we sometimes see it used in mouthwashes, toothpastes and dental floss.”
Dr. Sarah Hung, ND corroborates Aboriginal use of this versatile essential oil: “They would crush tea tree leaves to extract the oil, inhale to treat coughs and colds or apply it directly to the skin for healing.” In fact, it’s still commonly used for medicinal purposes among the Aboriginal people of Australia.