For centuries aboriginal people from Australia have been using the tea tree’s leaves to treat skin infections. Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil or manuka oil is stream-distilled from the leaves of this plant which grown in Australia or New Zealand. Brought by Captain Cook from its native Australia in the 1770s, the oil is produced from the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree. High quality tea tree oil is usually available in health food or specialty stores.
One of the most beneficial natural antiseptics, tea tree oil has been extensively used to combat a wide variety of infections and ailments. The active ingredient in tea tree oil is terpinen-4-ol, which has been proven to combat bacteria and fungi. It has been used to treat cuts, scrapes, and other minor skin wounds and irritations. Not only does tea tree oil attack infections and speed healing, it also reduces the risk of scarring in many applications. Because of its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, it has rapidly become one of the most widely used antiseptics. Tea tree oil also has the ability to quickly bond with natural oils present in the skin. Because the application of this essential oil to the skin encourages the formulation of a chemical barrier on the skin, continued growth of fungi and other unhealthy organisms is diminished.
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