Tea Tree...

Tea Tree "Melaleuca alternifolia" essential oil is the only essential oil that is....anti-viral, anti-bacterial & anti-fungal. The name derives from it's local usage as a type of herbal tea, prepared from the leaves. Our present knowledge of the properties and uses of tea tree is based on a very long history of use by the aboriginal people of Australia. It has been extensively researched recently by scientific methods with the following results: 1) This oil is unusual in that it is active against all three varieties of infectious organisms: bacteria, fungi & viruses. 2) It is a very powerful immuno-stimulant, so when the body is threatened by any of these organisms ti-tree increases its ability to respond.

The essential oil is derived from a small tree or shrub with needle-like leaves similar to cypress. The oil is distilled from the leaves & twigs using steam or water extraction. Surprisingly tea tree is also the only essential oil you do not have to keep in a dark glass container. The light will not destroy it's healing properties. So you might see it in stores in clear glass bottles instead of the dark brown or blue type. One could use tea tree 'neat', but no more than say 3 times a day. If you are sensitive to it, it will have a drying affect on your skin...just discontinue use. Some say it is the only medicine you will every need!! Do NOT take it internally as it can damage the internal sensitive tissues!!

Now some will sell Tea Tree and give it the name Melaleuca, makes it sound oh so professional, but bottom line is...melaleuca is the partial latin name for this extremely valuable essential oil. In recent research I have found that along with oregano essential oil, they can work hand in hand to penetrate the cell wall and fight viral infections. Pharmaceutical antibiotics are unable to do this.

Aromatherapy/Home Use:
Skin Care: abscess, acne, athlete's foot, blisters, burns, cold sors, dandruff, herpes, insect bites, oily skin, rashes (diaper rash), spots, warts, infected wounds.
Respiratory System: asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis, tuberculosis, whooping cough.
Genito-urinary System: thrush, vaginitis, cystitis, pruritis.
Immune System: colds, fever, flu, infectious illnesses such as chicken pox.

Facts on the Lavender Essential Oil

There are actually 3 different species of lavender essential oil. The Spike Lavender "Lavandula latifolia" doesn't have much use as an aromatherapy component. Lavandin "Lavandula x intermedia" is similar to the True Lavender "Lavandula angustifolia", but is more penetrating and rubefacient (possible irritation of the skin) with a sharper scent. This one is particularly good for respiratory, circulatory or muscular conditions. So, your best bet would be to get the True Lavender...it's the one I look for & the only one I use. You can tell by the latin name which one you are getting. Actually, the latin name is what I look for on most of my essential oils, that's a big clue as to what you are getting!

True Lavender is non-toxic, non-irritant & non-sensitizing. It has a well-established tradition as a folk remedy and its scent is still familiar to almost everyone. It was used to 'comfort the stomach' but above all as a cosmetic water, insect repellent, to scent linen and as a reviving yet soothing oil. It is generally regarded as the most versatile of all the essential oils. It is the only one that is safe to use 'neat' or non-diluted. It's safe to use right out of the bottle!

The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from the fresh flowering tops. It ranges from a colorless to a pale yellow liquid with a sweet, floral-herbaceous scent and balsamic-woody undertone. It blends well with most oils, especially citrus and florals.

Aromatherapy Uses:
Skin Care: abscesses, acne, allergies, athlete's foot, boils, bruises, burns, dandruff, dermatitis, earache, eczema, inflammations, insect bites & stings, insect repellent, lice, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies, sores, spots, all skin types, sunburn, wounds.
Circulation, Muscles & Joints: lumbago, muscular aches & pains, rheumatism, sprains.
Respiratory System: asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, halitosis, laryngitis, throat infections, whooping cough.
Digestive System: abdominal cramps, colic, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea.
Nervous System: depression, headache, hypertension, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension & stress-related conditions, PMS, sciatica, shock, vertigo.