Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil, which is extracted from the leaves through steam distillation, has been found to be able to fight against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This makes tea tree oil among the most potent antimicrobial essential oils.

Many Aboriginal Australian communities have long been using tea treeleavesto treat burns, cuts, skin conditions, and infections. However, it wasn’t until the 1920s that the medicinal effects of tea tree were studied in earnest. During that time, tea tree oil rose to prominence as an effective antiseptic, even becoming the preferable alternative to carbolic acid.

The Science of Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil has been found to be effective against various strains of the Staphylococcus bacteria, some of which have developed resistance to antibiotics. Staphylococcus has over 30 strains that cause a variety of health conditions, like food poisoning, skin infections, and even pneumonia.

The oil can also effectively help get rid of certain types of fungus, notably Candida albicans, which can cause yeast infections. It can also be effective against the Pityrosporum ovale fungus, which causes dandruff. Thus, if you’ve been struggling with dandruff and can’t find the right shampoo for it, tea tree oil may be the best antifungal essential oil you’re looking for.

Other than bacteria and fungus, tea tree oil can also help get rid of the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores, as well as viruses that cause the common cold and the flu.