Tea tree oil, a relative newcomer to the beauty scene, isn’t so new to the Bundjalung tribe of New South Wales, Australia — they’ve relied on its many medicinal uses for hundreds of years.

Not being long in the mainstream, this wonder oil was only tested scientifically in the early 1920’s by Arthur Penfold, who found it to be around 12 times more powerful than carbolic acid, yet totally harmless to the skin. Tea tree oil was used extensively by the Australian Defence Force during World II, but due to the discovery of cheap synthetic drugs, it didn’t become popular again until the 1960’s.

Over the years, tea tree oil has proven itself as an extraordinary natural antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory. In one exciting study, it was found to penetrate deeply into the lower layers of the skin, cleaning below the surface and encouraging the formation of healing scar tissue.

Some of its medical uses include the healing of blisters, reducing swelling from insect bites and stings, cleaning and healing abrasions and cuts and wiping out athletes foot. Tea tree oil is also very helpful in the healing of acne. It will often relieve the user of sore throats, cold sores, coughs and dental abscesses. It will also solve most day-to-day first aid and medical problems.

Further, this wonder oil lends to daily beauty care. Placing a few drops in your shampoo, body lotion, hand cream or bath water will keep your hair and skin clean and healthy. A couple of drops on your toothpaste is an excellent way to eliminate bacteria, prevent infections of the gum tissue, and put an end to bad breath. It even helps take the sting out of sunburn and softens corns and calluses.

Tea tree oil’s anti-bacterial properties also extend to household chores, easily rendering your house clean and sanitary. Putting a few drops in the humidifier will clean, disinfect and refresh the air, while sprinkling a bit in the dishwasher and washing machine will knock out the germs.

Tea trees only grow in Australia. Unsurprisingly, many brands of oil on the market hail from inferior trees, not from the genuine tea tree whose botanical name is Malaeuca. The name tea tree was given by Joseph Banks, the fascinating botanist who traveled with Captain Cook and collected leaves along the way to make herbal teas and tinctures.

When buying tea tree oil, your first purchase should be a premium product from a health shop. After that, you’ll have a better grasp on how to tell the genuine oil from an inferior product, as the results from a poor substitute obviously won’t be equal.

There are many excellent websites and many outstanding books which will induct you into the mysteries of this wonderful oil. You’ll be amazed at the excellent results you obtain with tea tree oil, and like the Bundjalung, find it truly to be a medicine kit in a bottle.