|
Tea tree is a shrub with leaves that look like needles and yellow or purple flowers. It grows in the wild in marshy area, but it is mostly grown on plantations for commercial use. It can be found mainly in Australia in the South Wales area. It is sought after for its anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial characteristics. Tea tree’s essential oil is steam distilled from its leaves and twigs. Its essential oil has a fresh clean musty aroma. Tea tree is used for its antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, insecticidal, and immune stimulant properties. In aromatherapy it is often mixed with Blue gum eucalyptus, Clary sage, ginger lavender, lemon, rosemary and Scotch pine to prepare many different mixtures for many different ailments.
Tea tree has recently been added to today’s aromatherapy list and is recognized for its ability to stimulant the immune system. Recently researchers from France, Australia, and the United States have been doing tests with tea tree to see if its anti-infectious and antiviral properties work for skin conditions. Tea tree is used as a cleanser and as an antiseptic. Tea tree is good for acne, burns and blisters. It can be placed on the problem spots or as a rinse.
Tea tree has been used by many different cultures throughout history. The Australian Aborigines have used it for centuries to cleanse infected wounds. It was introduced to Europe in 1927; their Europe physicians recognized quickly tea tree's healing effects. During World War II, it was included in all First Aid kits; it was taken into battle for skin injuries, especially for soldiers that were in the jungle.
Herbalists use it to aid in relieving symptoms of whooping cough, tuberculosis, asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis. When taken over time it will immediately ward off infections, and is now being tested for its effects against the deadly AIDS virus.
When using tea tree on the skin limit it to the infected area: it can cause itching in sensitive skin.
|
| |
