Botanically known as Melaleuca
alternifolia, Cheel or tea tree (Family: Myrtaceae) is a small tree native to
Australia. The leaves of the plant used medicinally are the source of valuable therapeutic
oil. The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of leaves. The main constituent
in tea tree essential oil is terpin-4-ol, present in concentrations of 40% or
more. Tea tree oil is effective against a wide range of organisms including
twenty seven of the 32 strains of P. acnes. It has good penetration and is
non-irritating to the skin.
What Tea Tree Oil Is Used For
• Tea tree oil is often
used externally as an antibacterial or antifungal treatment.
• Tea tree oil is used for
a number of conditions including acne, athlete’s foot, nail fungus, wounds, and
infections.
• Other applications for
tea tree oil include use for lice, oral candidiasis (thrush), cold sores,
dandruff, and skin lesions.
Special
role of tea tree oil in almost all skin disorders
Tea Tree Oil is considered
a universal remedy for acne, eczema, skin infections like herpes, wounds,
warts, burns, insect bites and nail mycosis.
According to a recent
review on the use of plants in cosmetics, Tea Tree Oil is widely employed in
skin care for the treatment of sores, blisters, spots, rashes, warts, burns and
acne.
Studies
& research that prove effectiveness of tea tree oil in acne treatment
One study performed at the
Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia (published in The Medical Journal of
Australia) revealed tea tree oil`s ability to perform just as well as a common
over-the-counter acne treatment, without the side effects.
This clinical trial was
done on 124 patients to evaluate the efficacy and skin tolerance of 5% tea-tree
oil gel in the treatment of mild to moderate acne when compared with 5% benzoyl
peroxide lotion.
The results of this study
showed that both 5% tea-tree oil and 5% benzoyl peroxide had a significant
effect in ameliorating the patients` acne by reducing the number of inflamed
and non-inflamed lesions (open and closed comedones), although the onset of
action in the case of tea-tree oil was slower. Encouragingly, fewer side
effects were experienced by patients treated with tea-tree oil.
Clear
Skin MAX
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