Tea tree essential oils are very versatile and are used widely for a variety of purposes owing to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is also known as Melaleuca oil and is available in clear to a pale gold color. The essential oil, which is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia has a camphor scent. Melaleuca alternifolia is indigenous to New South Wales in Australia. Using the term ‘tea tree oil' to refer to Melaleuca oil would be incorrect since, the tree is a paper bark and not really a tea plant. Neither should it be associated with the seasoning and cooking tea oil that is obtained from tea oil plants like camellia sinensis and camellia oleifera or the regular tea that we drink. The oil is believed to have great healing powers and hence, has been in included for preparation of various medical formulas.

Due to its antiseptic qualities, it is included in various skin care regimes and treatment of skin related ailments. Tea tree oil is recognized as a potent antifungal agent and thus is effective in treating malassezia furfur, the root cause of dandruff. It is used in topical tea tree oil preparations for candidiasis since its antifungal and antiseptic properties enable it to eliminate Candida in vitro. Topical tea tree oil formulations for treatment of moderate acne are also very popular. Besides this, tea tree oil is also very popular for treating boils, sunburns, insect bites, bee stings, wounds, ear infections and poison ivy.

Since it is an effective antiseptic agent, Tea Tree Oil is extensively used in treating not only fungal but also bacterial and viral infections. It is also very useful for treating common cold and flu as they have the ability to stimulate perspiration which acts as natural defense mechanism. It is also very helpful in healing minor wounds since it is known to possess cell regeneration properties. It has certain healing properties that enable it to reinforce not only the various organ systems but also the human body on the whole. Since it strengthens the immune system, it is also very often used to treat people afflicted with glandular fever, M.E. and H.I.V. In addition, tea tree essential oils are also very effective against acne, warts, and cold sores.

If you have a cold sore, try dabbing tea tree oil concentration directly on it. To treat ailments like warts and verrucae, put a drop of pure tea tree essential oil in the center and then cover it with plaster. Follow this regime daily to see noticeable results.