Tea tree oil has been used for its various cosmetic and medicinal qualities. Here we have given the benefits of tea tree oil for scalp related problems. Read on, to know how this natural solution can give you a healthy and problem free scalp.
Also known as melaleuca oil, tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of a native Australian plant known as Melaleuca alternifolia. Yes, this oil is NOT made form tea leaves, like how the name suggests!
Tea tree oil has been used for many years as a natural cure for various cosmetic and health related conditions like viral, fungal and bacterial infections, skin related problems like eczema and acne, and for treating minor wounds, cuts and burns.
When speaking about tea tree oil for scalp related problems, its natural properties work best to cure scalp issues like infections and itchiness and promotes a healthy and natural hair growth, which is possible only when you have a healthy scalp.
Apart from that, tea tree oil benefits people by treating conditions like scabies, yeast infections, cold sores, Athlete's foot and Periodontal diseases, to name a few.
"Lavender, thyme and tea-tree oils have been used for centuries as antiseptics; their chemical compounds appear to kill microbes on contact." ~ Andrew Weil, M.D., 1996
Uses of Tea Tree Oil for Treating Scalp Problems
Tea tree oil is almost pale yellow to extremely transparent in color. The reason why many people go for this solution as a cure for their health related problems is because of its natural healing properties.
However, the point to be kept in mind is that tea tree oil is advised for only topical application, and that too, in a diluted form. So, how does the topical application of tea tree oil helps promote a good and healthy scalp?
Scalp Fungus
Tea tree oil consists of antifungal properties, which makes it an excellent natural cure for treating fungus infections, including scalp fungus. You can mix tea tree oil with other natural oils like coconut oil and massage it on the scalp.
Tea tree oil tends to blend with the natural scalp oils and prevents the growth of scalp fungus. There are various shampoos and oils that come with tea tree oil extracts that can help you get rid of scalp fungus.
Dandruff
Have you been suffering from a never ending problem known as dandruff? Dandruff can cause a lot of problems including itchiness, hair fall, and other problems.
You can use approximately 5% solution of tea tree oil with your shampoo to get beneficial results. That is, if you have a 100ml shampoo bottle, mix about 5 ml or 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil with it.
Hair Growth
An unhealthy scalp can never result in a healthy hair growth. If your scalp is unhealthy, then it will affect your hair as well. For example, an oily scalp will lead to oily hair.
This problem can be taken care by applying tea tree oil in your scalp and massaging your scalp nicely for about 5-10 minutes. With tea tree oil having so many healing properties, it will eliminate any sort of infection and blockage in the scalp and hair follicles, thereby promoting hair growth.
Head Lice
One of the most annoying scalp or hair problems, especially among school going children, is head lice! They tend to bite the scalp, thereby causing itching in the scalp. Tea tree oil proves to be very beneficial for treating head lice.
All you need to do is to add about 5-10 drops of tea tree oil in the shampoo and massage it well. Keep the shampoo on for about 10 minutes and then wash off.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition which leads to inflammation and redness on the scalp, and if you have had it, you know how annoying it can be! Tea tree oil can prove to be a blessing for scalp psoriasis. The usage is the same, and the benefits are extremely rewarding.
The only caution while using tea tree oil is that you need to be sure that you dilute it well, keeping the concentration between 2-5%. There are different brands of tea tree oil available in the market, each of them having different instructions for usage.
So make sure that you use the oil as directed. Some people also tend to suffer from allergies by using tea tree oil, so make sure if it suits your skin and then go ahead with the prolonged usage for the same.