Melaleuca...Also known as Tea Tree Oil and it's amazing uses!

Just something about this picture is very calming to me. 

Maybe it is the fact that these are Melaleuca trees which have great healing powers. 

Let's take a look at Melaleuca, also known as Tea Tree Oil. 

Tea Tree Oil is water or  steam-distilled.  It is a pal-yellowish green to almost clar liquid with a warm spicy, aromatic scent. 

Historically, the Australian aborigines used the as a healing tree.  The leaves would be crushed in their hands and the oil from the leaves inhaled to help relieve colds and headaches.  

The name "Tea Tree" was used by Captain Cook in 1777, when the leaves were used to make a tea to prevent scurvy

Tea Tree oil was first distilled in Australia in the 1920s. 

Therapeutic Actions:
Antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, bactericide, cicatrisant, expectorant, fungicide, imunostimulant, insecticide, stimulate, sudorific.

Tea Tree is considered unusual in that it has a broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses and fungi.

It helps with the immune system in that when the body is threatened with an infection, it increases the bodies ability to respond.

It can help with the respiratory system.  It is recommended for asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis and whooping cough.

For skin care, it can help with acne, athlete's foot, blisters, burns, cold sores, dandruff, herpes, insect bites, toenail fungus, warts and wounds.

Tea Tree Oil is non-toxic, non-irritant.
*Source: The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy Author: Salvatore Battaglia



How do I use Melaleuca?

Toenail Fungus- put one drop of Tea Tree on each toenail before you go to bed at night.  This will help get rid of the fungus and your toenails will be rid of the icky yellowish color.

Athlete's foot- A friend of mine asked if I had anything for Athlete's foot.  I whipped her up a batch of healing salve and put Melaleuca in it.  She said it really has helped and asked me for more!

Acne- I use a 50/50 combination of Lavender and Melaleuca.  I put a drop on the blemish and the redness is gone!

Pink Eye/Conjunctivitis- Take a warm wet wash cloth and put a couple of drops of Melaleuca and lavender and place over the eyes as a compress for about 5-10 minutes.  I have also been known to put a little on the cheek bones and the bone around the eyes, but take caution, sometimes this does burn.  If that happens put a warm compress on right away.  This cleared up the Pink Eye within two days!

Eczema- I use the healing salve with about 25 drops of Tea Tree in this.  It has helped so much!  I will also add a little peppermint.  Peppermint is great for itching.

There are just so many uses for Tea Tree.  I have even put a drop on a band aid and put it in a cut or scrape.

If you have ANY essential oil, you should definitely have Melaleuca!