Tea Tree Oil: Cure-all for many skin conditions

Tea Tree Oil is a staple that's should live in everyone's medicine cabinet. It's a versatile cure-all for ailments like mild acne legions, psoriasis and even head lice (I like to add it to a mild cleanser to clean my makeup brushes due to its anti-bacterial properties). This sustainable oil comes from the leaves of the "Melaleuca" tree (native to Australia) and has a distinctive camphor-like scent aside from being anti-bacterial, it also has natural anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties....not too shabby!

It's important to note that like any essential oil, Tea Tree may cause irritation to the skin, so before you use it, test an inconspicuous part of the skin to gauge any reaction.

For acne, place a dab of Tea Tree as a spot treatment for stubborn blemishes. It has been known to also treat athletes foot, nail fungus, dandruff and even cradle cap (consult with your pediatrician first before using on a child). Rather than apply it directly to the skin, I would recommend adding it to a carrier-product. For example: for dandruff, add a few teaspoons of Tea Tree to your shampoo, for athletes foot, or nail fungus, mix it with Aquafor. It also works amazingly well as a lice "preventative" (if you have school-age children). Add 1/3 of the tiny bottle of Tea Tree into a bottle of detangling spray, shake well, and spritz into your child's hair everyday.  A few drops of Tea Tree can also be added to your favorite shampoo, once or twice per week, not only to treat dandruff but to create an effective clarifier. This oil is TOXIC if ingested, however, so make sure you keep it away from small children or animals. 

I would not classify Tea Tree oil as gentle, as mentioned it can indeed irritate the skin. Therefore, I urge you to test a patch of skin, prior to use, to test for a any skin reaction. Tea Tree can cause a severe rash for those with sensitivity and may exacerbate the symptoms of eczema, so consult with your Board Certified Dermatologist first if you suffer from eczema or psoriasis  If you start having any reactions to Tea Tree oil, stop using it immediately. Otherwise, enjoy the multitude of topical uses for one of my favorite oils.

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--CIAO for now xo

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