While visiting different countries, I always check what products are typical and commonly used in the place I travel to. Whenever possible, I often bring them with me from different parts of the world. I also like to visit the local drugstore and rummage between the shelves, spot a good shampoo or face cream. Thanks to this, I can see what is trendy or wildly used by natives. Today’s post is about oil that is a worldwide available and known comes from Australia.
I have been using tea tree oil for many years. I often recommend it to my friends who are struggling with different skin problems. Almost always, I have it with me in my travel case. A bottle of such oil is very small, which is very important during packaging, and the oil has helped me many times during travel. It is very effective. Already after the first use, you can see the effects, and on the top of this, it is a natural product.
In Australia, it is widely used not only in pure form but also as an ingredient in many products. Practically every cosmetic brand in Australia has in its range a product with this oil. Often together with eucalyptus oil, it also used in various types of cleaning and disinfecting products. Australians have known it for hundreds of years and all the benefits of it. Tea trees grow on the east coast of the country, mainly in the state of Queensland and New South Wales.
The oil itself is obtained from the leaves of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). It has an intense, camphor smell, it is quite liquid and has a yellowish colour. Although the name can be confusing, a tea tree has nothing to do with the tea plant that is used to obtain tea that we drink.
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I like this oil primarily for its extraordinary versatility and efficiency. Just a few drops are enough to change the appearance of skin or hair. Is one of the most effective natural antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antiviral oils.
HAIR
Tea tree oil will help with many persistent scalp problems such as seborrheic inflammation or dandruff. Refreshes and cools the scalp. We can buy shampoos and other hair products based on this oil. However, my favourite way to use it is to just add a few drops (no more than 5) to the shampoo that I currently use. In the shower, I add a few drops of the oil to the shampoo that I already poured onto the palm of my hand, mix it on my hand and apply it to the scalp. Massage in lightly and then leave for a few minutes and rinse with water. I use this method from time to time to refresh my scalp as well as to give more life to my hair. This method will also help with dandruff and itchy scalp. With regular use, the oil perfectly regulates sebum production, thus reduce greasy hair.
In addition, tea tree oil will definitely positively affect the scalp and hair overall condition. The oil improves circulation in the scalp, which helps in hair loss and also accelerates their growth. Just add a few drops of the oil to your favourite shampoo or mix it with other oils (e.g. castor or coconut) and apply once a week before washing.
SKIN
When it comes to skincare, this oil can be used for specific skin problems but also as part of daily care to improve the overall condition of our skin.
ACNE
Thanks to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, the oil works very well on acne-prone skin. It is best to use it on the problematic spot. Particularly well copes with aching “bumps”. By treating this kind of “surprises” with oil at night, the oil will reduce inflammation very well and accelerate healing. Due to the fact that it easily penetrates the skin, it really works better than many pharmacy ointments in such cases. It also fights batteries that cause acne. As with scalp, it normalizes the sebaceous glands in the skin, thanks to which it has a positive effect on oily skin.
Tea tree oil is an ingredient of many anti acne cosmetics. Other option is to add a few drops of oil to our face tonic or cleansing gel. Although I think I like to use it the most on the specific spot on the face.
The oil can also be used by people prone to have ingrown hairs. In this case, it is recommendable to use oil directly or slightly diluted with water in the form of a tonic. To prevent newly growing hair, oil can be added to cream or body lotion.
INSECTS BITES, RASHES, WOUNDS
The oil is effective in healing wounds and reducing scars. Thanks to the antiseptic properties, it prevents infections in healing skin. You can apply oil to a healing wound, scratch. Tea tree oil is known to be an excellent repellent for mosquitoes and other insects. It has helped me more than once during my travels. For example, itching after a mosquito bite disappears a few minutes after application. Additionally worked well when one of my friends had a tick. Applying oil on the bite and on the skin around, the oil caused the tick to get out of the skin almost by itself. The oil can also be used to treat other skin enemies such as lichen, herpes, warts or itchy rashes.
When it comes to bites and various rashes, which are not difficult during travel, here the properties of the oil are probably most appreciated.
NAILS
Regular application of the oil on the nails supports the treatment for the prevention of fungal infections of nails and feet. When added to the foot cream, it will help excessive sweating, reduce odor and regenerate cracking heels.
COLD & SINUSITIS
Inhalation with tea tree oil alone and even better with eucalyptus oil will unblock a stuffy nose and soothe headache associated with sinusitis. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties, so it is great for sore throat, runny nose or cough.
Tea tree oil is a natural and very effective helper for many persistent problems. Can be used in many different ways, in beauty care but also in everyday life, so you should have a bottle of this oil in your home or travel bag.
It is worth to remember, that if you are using the oil for the first time, it is recommendable doing an allergy test. The oil is also quite strong in action, so especially at the beginning, you can dilute it with water.
Do you know and use tea tree oil? I will be more than happy to know your ways to use this and other natural oils.
