Tea Tree Oil Shampoo

You will come across many brands of tea tree oil shampoo but you should always check the ingredients before buying. Harmful chemicals present in low quality shampoos like sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate may cause irritation, dry hair, eczema, pustules, etc. Price should not be the only criterion while buying a shampoo. A shampoo that contains tea tree oil and which is rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, etc., can offer you healthy hair. There are innumerable benefits of tea tree oil. The oil is used as a cure for many cosmetic and health ailments.

Tea Tree Oil

• It is a yellowish-green oil extracted (steam distilled) from the leaves of the melaleuca tree, native to Australia.
• It contains Terpinen-4-ol, Cymene, Pinene, Terpinene and Cineole. Terpinen4-ol is the important ingredient which is helpful because of its anti-microbial properties.
• Amongst the various species of the Melaleuca and Leptospermum genera, the oil is extracted mainly from the Melaleuca alternifolia.
• This essential oil is known for its medicinal and restorative properties, for instance, anti-bacterial, antiseptic, fungicidal and cosmetic properties.
• It is difficult to describe the smell of the oil, but it is quite characteristic and recognizable. The smell can be described as fresh, clean, somewhat earthy and not unpleasant at all.

Note: Taking tea tree oil in small doses can be toxic and can result in potentially fatal conditions. You should keep the oil products out of reach of children.

Tea Tree Oil for Head Lice

School going children often face the problem of head lice infection. Parents can use the shampoo that contains tea tree oil to get rid of lice. The oil is always better than the harsh chemicals that are used in some shampoos. Various brands produce tea tree oil shampoos and they are easily available at health stores. These shampoos are very effective against the problem of head lice. The oil is best for hair as it works great for clogged hair follicles and keeps the scalp free of bacteria and fungal problems. It moisturizes hair and a mild solution of tea tree oil and natural shampoo gently removes cap in infants.

You can rinse your hair with a spoonful of tea tree oil, in warm water to control lice or you can use a good shampoo that comes with the oil. Head lice infestation is usually found on the scalp. You can use the recipe given below, on the scalp, but a complete body wash is also recommended. There are chances that you will experience a tingling sensation on your skin and scalp from the oil, but this will go away after a short while.

In case of head lice infection, you should completely wash all your clothes and bedding, by adding one teaspoon of the tea tree oil in each load of wash. Wash the entire body with shampoo or body wash that contains the oil. To make a homemade medicinal shampoo, you can add two teaspoons of tea tree oil to every 10-12 ounces (300-350 ml) of a good quality shampoo or body wash.

You can use a hot water solution containing ½ teaspoon of the tea tree oil and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for rinsing your hair. You can dip a nit comb in pure tea tree oil and run it through the hair, after drying. Do this for at least a couple of days and you will see the results. The oil dissolves the lice and eggs when applied and stops reproduction in its tracks. It is not at all harmful for the central nervous system.

Tea Tree Oil for Dandruff

The anti-inflammatory and anti fungal properties of the oil in the shampoo help you get rid of dandruff and cradle cap. The natural antiseptic properties of the oil help remove harmful bacteria. The shampoo with the oil protects you from the harmful effects of grease and pollution. Considering the condition of your own hair, you can use customized tea tree oil shampoo formulations, which will suit your hair and scalp. It can definitely improve the hair texture and density. The oil is also used in a number of pet shampoos, which helps kill ticks and fleas. It is also said that it acts as an insect repellent as well. Using a shampoo with tea tree oil is always more beneficial than using the products for lice, dandruff and scabies.

Other Benefits of the Shampoo with Tea Tree Oil

• You can prevent hair loss as the shampoo makes your hair strong and free of infection.
• Being a strong organic solvent, the oil from the shampoo can penetrate the skin unlike many other products, which helps in clearing skin infections such as boils, warts, sores and ulcers.
• The shampoo can reduce blemishes and acne. Like gels and antiseptic creams, this shampoo helps clear acne faster. The oil works great for skin problems such as warts, insect bites, rashes, cold sores and blisters.
• Being a powerful antiseptic and an immunostimulant, the oil in the shampoo helps get rid of lice and dandruff. It is used to treat burns, acne, cuts, candida, ringworm, etc. It helps combating bacterial and fungal infections.

The most important property of tea tree oil is that it blends easily with the skin's oils. It can alter the chemical barriers of the skin so as to make it inhospitable for the growth of fungi and other organisms. The shampoo that contains this oil keeps away all types of infections and thus offers you healthy and strong hair.