A spa experience is incomplete without the use of essential oils. With miraculous healing properties, these oils are not only an intrinsic part of a spa but also contribute to holistic healing. Tea Tree Oil is one such relaxing oil which is widely used in spas across the globe and is a boon to regular spa goers. Apart its beauty benefits, Tea Tree oil is widely recognised as one of nature's most effective and versatile healers. It is a powerful cleanser, anti bacterial, anti fungal, antiseptic, antiviral, immuno-stimulant and disinfectant. From teenage acne problems to nerve breaking stress in the later years, the uses of tea tree oil are many.
Down to the roots
The history of Tea Tree and the oil dates back to 19th century when Europeans settled in Australia popularised it as a folk medicine. “The local inhabitants Aborigines used a number of tea trees in medicine for coughs, colds, cuts and wounds,” says Rupal. The leaves were crushed and inhaled or soaked to make an infusion and the leaf washes were applied over pains, sores and burns. The Aborigines also used the wash or tea of the leaves to remedy dental disorders such as inflamed gums, as well as to ease sore throats and ulcers of the mouth. Reputedly, a legendary lagoon was believed to yield mystical healing powers to those who bathed in its waters. It was later determined that this myth may, in fact, have basis since the water seemed to be continuously infused by falling leaves of tea trees growing near the water's edge.
The leaves of tea tree were used for many years by the indigenous people of Australia. However, it gained popularity among the masses much later on when during the Second World War it was used by the British Navy to keep wounds from becoming infected. Freshly crushed leaves were applied directly to an injury, and then held in place with a mud pack. The medicinal effects of this poultice were so powerful that it helped combat infection in the wound and also overcome the potential for further infection caused by the non-sterile mud pack. Beyond this, it was used in ammunition factories in Australia to keep workers hands free from infection following factory accidents.
The source
So, where does it get all these miraculous properties from? “It contains constituents called terpenoids, which have been found to have antiseptic and antifungal activity. The compound terpinen-4-ol is the most abundant and is thought to be responsible for most of tea tree oil's antimicrobial activity,” explains Rupal Shabnam Tyagi, R.A.Arom (London) and Aromatherapy Consultant. “Besides this, the acetone content makes it relaxing oil” adds Divita Kanoria, Chief Wellness Officer, Taathastu. Be it to reduce skin lesions or heal yeast infections and chronic cystitis, it is extensively used in shampoos, acne treatments, cleansers, creams and lotions across the world. “Tea tree or Melaleuca Alternifolia from New South Wales in Australia is a tree or shrub with needle like leaves and heads of sessile yellow or purplish flowers similar in appearance to cypress. It grows to about 7 meters (20 feet) high and thrives in marshy areas, though it is now cultivated in plantations,” explains Dr Jairam Nair, Ayurveda Expert, Amatrra Spa. It is from this tree the popular tea tree oil is derived by steam distillation of its leaves
Here is a lowdown on the various properties of this multi-faceted oil that make it the most sought after ingredient world over:
• 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.
• 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 is 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.
• Tea tree oil is used in a number of pet shampoos to kill ticks and fleas and is claimed to repel insects.
