The aborigines of Australia didn't need a name for the oil that their ancestors used over 30,000 years ago. They knew it could heal wounds, stop infections, treat burns, moisturize dry skin, and give the body a little extra energy on a hunt. When Captain Cooke and his crew arrived in 1770 they gave the leaves and the oil a name, Tea tree, and it has been called that ever since then. Cooke and his men made tea out of the leaves and they later mix it with spruce leaves and made a beer that kept the men happy as well as a little tipsy.
The medicinal properties of tea tree oil actually remained a secret until the 1920s. That's when Dr. Arthur Penfold researched the antiseptic qualities of the oil. In 1929 Penfold along with another F.R. Morrison published "Australian Tea Trees of Economic Value," and that work stimulated a large number of research projects that focused on the medicinal properties of tea tree oil. The work was important enough for the Australian government to issue it as an essential oil in armed forces first aid kits during World War II.
After the war the essential oil lost some of its appeal thanks to pharmaceutical antibiotics, but in the 1960s, the oil regained its popularity not just in Australia, but all over the world. The most promising new function of the oil is to help treat the MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) super bug that attacks people who have wounds. A Thursday Plantation in vitro study at East London University compared Vancomycin with tea tree oil, and it was considered a powerful alternative.
In 2002 research reports showed that the pure essential oil performed better than certain antibiotics used to fight MRSA. Orthopedic infections also showed promise when tea tree oil was part of the treatment, but those studies are still ongoing.
When tea tree oil is inhaled as an aromatherapy oil it acts like an expectorant, and helps heal throat and chest infections. Plugged noses and coughing can also be treated by inhaling the vapor of steaming hot water and 5 drops of oil. It that procedure is done earlier enough it stops the spread of infection.
The oil has an assortment of powerful ingredients, and that's the main reason it has such an impact on fungal infections. A random but controlled study published in the "Journal of Family Practice" reported that a twice-daily application of tea tree oil helped people with toenail fungal infections. The trial showed that tea tree oil was as effective as the pharmaceutical antifungal cream used in the study.
Michael D. Thompson, an organic perfumer and accredited Master Herbalist, is the founder and director of Florapathics, LLC which manufactures all-natural, organically-derived personal care products that are infused with pure essential oils for aromatherapy.
Visit our aromatherapy blog to read about the benefits and uses of tea tree oil and many other oils.
Florapathics line of over 90 essential oils is used by professionals and enthusiasts alike. Florapathics gives FREE shipping in the US for all orders. Visit http://www.florapathics.com/ and view our selection over 400 products including artisan-made luxury soy candles, body care, hair care, facial care, and aromatherapy supplies.