Tea tree essential oils are very versatile and are used widely for a variety of purposes owing to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is also known as Melaleuca oil and is available in clear to a pale gold color. The essential oil is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia has a camphoraceous scent. The oil is believed to have great healing powers and hence, has been in included since ages for preparation of various cosmetic and medical concoctions.
Due to its antiseptic qualities, it is included in various skin care regimes and treatment of skin related ailments. Tea tree oil is recognized as a potent antifungal agent and therefore, used to treat dandruff. It is highly effective in treating malassezia furfur, the root cause of dandruff. It is used in topical tea tree oil preparations for candidiasis since its antifungal and antiseptic properties enable it to eliminate Candida in vitro. Topical tea tree oil formulations for treatment of moderate acne are also very popular. Besides this, tea tree oil is also very popular for treating boils, sunburns, insect bites, bee stings, wounds, ear infections and poison ivy.