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Can This Oil Cure You?
You are seeing it in shampoos, manufacturers are including it in pet care products and it helps fight bleeding gums. What is this stuff called tea tree oil? Move over aloe vera, we are now learning about this wonder from down under.
Tea tree oil (or officially know as Melaleuca Alternifolia) is considered to be one of earth’s essential oils. The oil, which is steam extracted from a shrub that grows in New South Wales, Australia, produces the highest quality of oil. So why do we refer to it as tea tree oil? Ready for a little history?
In 1770 British Captain Cook, sailing the HMS Endeavor, landed in Australia. Observing how the Aborigines were using the oil (brewing it in water and drinking it as a tea) as well as using the fronds of the shrub on their skin for topical ailments, Captain Cook became intrigued. His botanist brought some of the oil back to England and it was then that the oil started being referred to as “tea tree” oil.
In the early 1920’s the government of Australia commissioned Dr. Penfold to researched not only the medicinal properties of the tea tree but also other botanicals. So, what is all the excitement about? During his research, Dr. Penfold discovered that the oil is 13 times stronger as an antiseptic bactericide than phenol, considered the standard in the early 1990’s. In 1933, The Australian Journal of Pharmacy, The American Journal of the National Medical Association and the British Medical Journal reported that “the tea tree oil is a powerful disinfectant, non-poisonous, non-irritating and has been used successfully in a wide range of septic conditions.” However, with the discovery of penicillin and synthesized antibiotics, the interest in “natural” remedies was pushed aside.
Now let’s get back to the 1990’s where there has been a tremendous resurgence of interest in natural remedies and preventative health maintenance. The time is right to re-introduce tea tree oil to our medicine cabinets. Tea tree oil is not only a potent antiseptic but it is also a fungicide (kills finger nail and toe nail fungus), very penetrating (the oil and ingredients can penetrate through the layers of skin), seven times more soothing than aloe vera, very aromatic (great for relief from respiratory and sinus conditions), it is a natural solvent and non-caustic to most skin types.
In future editions of Your Health Magazine we will explore, more in depth, various uses for this wonder from down under. We will expand on each of the properties and show you how you, too, should not be without tea tree oil in your medicine cabinet. A note of caution – be sure the tea tree oil you buy is pharmaceutical grade and that the bottle has the botanical name Melaleuca Alternifolia to be sure it’s pure.
