419: More on the Many Wonders of Tea Tree Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia: Part II

What You Will Learn:

In the previous show, I provided a brief overview on how popular tea tree oil is, its versatile uses, and a potential regulation that could impact our access to it. Now, it’s time to elaborate on its benefits and appealing characteristics.

So, in this episode, I provide a general synthesis of tea tree oil’s properties, history, and studies on its uses, safety, and applications.

• An introduction and review of the previous episode about tea tree oil (0 min)
• An overview of Melaleuca and tea tree oil including its family, species, and where it is endemic (1 min)
• The active component found in standardized tea tree oil that is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory (3 min)
• A fun fact about how tea tree oil was named (3 min 30 sec)
• Historical uses of tea tree (4 min) 
• How tea tree oil was used during WWII by the Australians and why its use came out of favor (6 minutes)
• An overview of conditions that tea tree oil may benefit and why it is helpful (6 min 30 sec -9 min)
• Uses and applications of tea tree oil based on scientific studies and practical applications (9 min 30 sec)
• How essential oils affect the microbiome and how this relates to oral disinfectant rinses with them in it (16 min) 
• A natural, all-purpose cleaner recipe using tea tree oil (17 min)
• Using tea tree oil for mold in the environment and what diffusers NOT to use in moldy conditions (19 min 30 sec) 
• The emerging evidence for tea tree oil for psoriasis (20 min)
• Is tea tree oil effective against scabies and head lice? (21 min)
• A wrap up on the many properties of tea tree oil that make it so popular (23 min)
• Closing remarks (24 min)

Resources From the Show:

•  Melaleuca (New World Encyclopedia, contains an overview and references)
• 14 Everyday Uses for Tea Tree Oil (Healthline, contains an overview and references to studies)
• Top Tea Tree Oil Uses and Benefits (Dr. Axe, contains links to studies discussed)
• Why I Still Love Tea Tree Oil but Am Very Happy to Meet the “Other” Melaleuca (ericifolia) Essential Oil on the Block  (My referenced Blog)
• Why Melaleuca ericifolia Essential Oil Deserves to Share the Spotlight with Tea Tree Oil (My referenced blog)

Additional Resources on Tea Tree Oil

• Tea Tree Essential Oil Benefits: Fights Infections, Kills Mold & More! (Natural Living Family, Dr. Z)
• How Does Tea Tree Oil Help the Skin? (Healthline)
• What is Tea Tree essential oil used for? (Tisserand Aromatherapy)
• Tea Tree Oil as a Treatment for Oral Fungal Infection: New Research Alert (Tisserand Institute)
• Tea tree oil quality and constituents (Tisserand Institute)
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