Tea Tree Oil – Is It Cure-All for Dandruff, Halitosis, and Stretch Marks?

In the early 1990s a multi level marketing phenomenon known as melaleuca came on the scene. Suddenly everyone knew someone who was involved in the trade of this substance which was rumored to be a cure all for anything from dandruff to halitosis and stretch marks. There more individual resellers this substance attracted, the more outlandish some of the claims became, and soon melaleuca was not only touted as a cosmetic agent but also a powerful nutritional supplement that could ward off cancer, intestinal problems, and heart issues.

While at times it may be hard to wade through the thousands of websites that appear to copy claims and alleged studies and personal testimonials from one another, there are some facts that point to tea tree oil, or melaleuca, as a substance that should be included in many a health conscious consumer’s medicine cabinet.

Studies have shown that the essential oil from the melaleuca has been part and parcel of indigenous Australian healing potions since time immemorial. When heated and made to turn into vapor, inhalation of this substance is known to soothe throats, reduce racking coughs, and overall may ease the symptoms associated with the common cold. Mashed and mixed into other substances it may become an effective covering for an open wound since its antifungal properties prevent the growth and unchecked thriving of microbes that may cause infections.

Over the course of the decades, tea tree oil has made its way into modern cosmetics and once again melaleuca is a very sought after commodity. You will notice that your hair stylist most likely carries several shampoos and conditioners that contain tea tree oil and may even offer a tea tree oil rinse for your hair. It has been shown that dandruff can be greatly reduced with appropriate treatments of tea tree oil and when considering that many commercially available anti dandruff shampoos are rather harsh and will dry out your scalp, this substance provides a good alternative to your daily scalp care regimen.

Skin care is also greatly aided by tea tree oil. While it may not cure stretch marks, it will reduce minor cases of acne in much the same way as Proactiv may, yet without the skin irritating properties associated with the latter. In addition to the foregoing, while it will not cure stretch marks, it will help the natural fading process by fostering an overall level of health the skin will enjoy when treated with lotions and moisturizers containing sufficient levels of melaleuca that to some it may appear as thought the stretch marks were actually disappearing rather than simply fading.

Other uses for tea tree oil may be found in toothpastes, where halitosis and canker sores are thought to be diminished because of the substance, as well as in pet shampoos where especially show dogs benefit from the skin and hair conditioning properties of the substance. It is interesting to note that tea tree oil needs to painstakingly be kept out of ears and eyes. In addition to the foregoing, some have found the scent of tea tree oil to be too pungent for their tastes, while others enjoy it very much.