Spotlight: Tea Tree Oil

There are many things out there in the world. Some of them are deadly. Some of them are crazy. Some of them are simply wonderful.

Tea tree oil is one of those wonderful things. After writing about a bunch of home remedies and alternative treatments, some things just keep popping up. It wasn't forced. They're just there whenever a condition arises. Tea tree oil is one of those things.

Tea tree oil comes from an Australian plant. The plant is known by many names, Narrow-leaved Paperbark, Narrow-leaved Tea-Tree, Snow-in-summer, etc. But all of these refer to a single species of tree, Melaleuca alternifolia. For an unknowable number of years, Aboriginal Australians used tea tree oil as a general antiseptic. Traditionally, they used it by inhaling the oils from crushed tea tree leaves (to cure coughs and colds) or by sprinkling the leaves on wounds. They even made a tea tree tea for sore throats and skin ailments. The scientific community grew curious about its abilities in the 1920's. Their investigations confirmed ancient tribal wisdom.

Currently, the oil is produced through steam distillation. Tea tree leaves are steamed first before squeezing out the oil. Tea tree oil is colored light yellow and its scent is similar to nutmeg.

Many benefits have been ascribed to tea tree oil. It's a natural antibacterial disinfectant. It's favored whenever an infection comes up, whether it is from a fungus, bacteria or a virus. It can even deal with infections that have resisted other antibiotics. Because of those qualities, tea tree oil is used to treat acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, cold, flu, sore throat, candidiasis, bad breath, blepharitis, lice, boils, eczema, psoriasis, yeast infection, and minor wounds. Unexpectedly, tea tree oil is also useful for aquarium fish whenever a bacterial or fungal infection strikes.

However, tea tree oil is not beneficial. It has its downsides too. First up, never ingest tea tree oil, especially if it's undiluted. It's toxic and may cause drowsiness, confusion, hallucination, coma and diarrhea, and may impair the immune system. Tea tree oil found in mouthwashes and toothpastes are considered safe because they've been diluted and they aren't supposed to be swallowed. Undiluted tea tree oil can also be harsh on skin. It can cause irritation, redness, itching and blistering. Allergic reactions to the oil occur in some people. Tea tree oil may even change hormone levels. There are a few cases of unexplained breast enlargement in boys. Tea tree oil should not be used by pregnant and breast-feeding women. To be even safer, keep tea tree oil out of reach from children and pets.

Despite its drawbacks, tea tree oil is used all over the world. Its benefits cannot be denied. Tea tree oil, like other remedies and treatments, should be used carefully. It's best to consult a doctor when using it for medical purposes.