Tea Tree essential oil is derived from the leaves of a native Australian tree known as Tea tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia). The fragrant oil is renowned for many therapeutic uses and is known for its antifungal, antibiotic and antiseptic properties.

In fact, Australian aborigines for years have used this oil for various medicines including using it for cough and cold. Moreover the leaves of the tree was crushed to extract the oil and then applied on the aching parts.

While its uses as aromatherapy oil are quite well known, tea tree oil is also used in a number of skin and hair care products. Used in shampoos and other hair care products, tea tree oil can cleanse, nourish and strengthen the hair follicles and prevent it from the damage caused by the various scalp and hair problems.

Using certain hair care products or chemically treating the hair can cause the sebaceous glands in the scalp to go on an overdrive. The excess oil produced by the glands tends to block the hair follicles causing breakage and thinning of the hair. Tea tree oil helps in reducing this oil production and moisturizes the hair, thus keeping the scalp healthy and clean.

People suffering from bacterial and fungal scalp infections will benefit from the antiseptic properties of tea tree oil. One of the persistent hair care problems is dandruff which may be caused by fungal or yeast infection. Tea tree oil is a natural dandruff and head lice remedy. Mix a few drops of this aromatherapy oil with carrier oil like olive oil and apply to the scalp.

This helps in reducing the itching and production of dandruff flakes. Moreover using a few drops of the oil with a regular shampoo and washing your hair with this mixture can control the head lice infestation by killing the lice as well as the eggs.

The oil can be mixed with other essential oils such as olive oil, jojoba oil and coconut oil or mixed with your shampoo for the best results. Applying it directly can have an adverse effect on sensitive skin. If you cannot get hold of the natural tea tree oil then use hair care products with concentrates of the oil in it.