Tea Tree Shampoo utilizes one of the world’s most beneficial essential oils – tea tree oil. Obtained through steam distillation from the leaves of the Austrailian plant Maleleuca alternifolia, tea tree oil is anti-fungal, antibiotic, soothing, calming and softening. In addition to cleansing, tea tree oil can be used for treating burns, acne, thrush, athlete’s foot, yeast infections, periodontal disease, lice, psoriasis, eczema, dandruff and vaginitis. Tea Tree oil is safe for use by vegans,vegetarians, and others that have chosen a cruelty-free lifestyle.
When used in shampoo, tea tree oil helps cleanse the hair and scalp, reduce dandruff, and soften and condition the hair and scalp. Some women apply tea tree oil to the ends of hair to help repair split ends or strengthen the ends of hair. Although there are many excellent tea tree oil shampoos on the market today, many tea tree oil fans prefer to make their own tea tree shampoo. Adding a few drops for every 4 ounces of your favorite all natural shampoo brand should do the trick.
Some of the top commercial tea tree shampoo brands include:
-America Crew Tea Tree Shampoo
-Paul Mitchell Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo
-Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo
-Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo
-Rusk Sensories Purify Cucurbita and Tea Tree Oil Deep Cleansing Shampoo
If you prefer to use products from natural food stores such as Mother’s Market, Whole Foods or your local health food emporium, Nature’s Gate is a popular brand, as well as Jason Natural Cosmetics, Organix and Beauty Without Cruelty. These tea tree shampoos are vegan and vegetarian friendly and cruelty free. You may shop in person at any of the stores listed here, at drugstores, beauty supply houses and salons, or you may purchase tea tree shampoo (and conditioner) online through all of the retailers listed in this article.
Tea Tree Oil History 1732-2010 by Google.com
1732 – Tea Tree Oil first came to the attention of Western Society in 1732 when Captain James Cook made his famous trip around the world. When they landed in Australia, Captain Cook brewed a spicy and refreshing tea from the leaves of the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree thus naming it the “Tea Tree”. It was used extensively until Penicillin was invented. Sir Jason Winters’ Tea Tree Oil is the finest, purest, unblended, virgin tea tree oil in the world.
1770 – Explorers first observed the use of tea tree oil in 1770, when Captain Cook of the HMS Endeavor traveled to New South Wales, Australia. The aborigines used the crushed leaves to treat cuts and infections. Australian army personnel carried tea tree oil as a disinfectant in their first aid kits during World War II. When antibiotics came into widespread use after the war, tea tree oil was largely forgotten. Then, in the 1970s, researchers began to explore new ways to treat different conditions using tea tree oil.
1777 – Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant, which is native to Australia. Captain James Cook observed indigenous Australians placing crushed tea tree leaves on wounds in 1777. Scientific research supports this traditional practice and affirms tea tree oil’s use as a powerful anti-microbial treatment. Anitra C. Carr, Ph.D., a research associate at the Linus Pauling Institute, reports tea tree oil’s effectiveness as a treatment for bacterial infections.
1920 – In 1920, Dr. A. Penfold tested the oil’s properties for the first time. He found out that tea tree oil was twelve times more powerful than the accepted antiseptic at the time, carbolic acid. Tea tree oil is a valuable alternative option to pharmaceuticals. Just because a substance is naturally-occuring with no known side-effects, doesn’t mean it can’t be useful. Tea tree was a vital medical for local Australians. They drank tea made from the leaves and applied tea tree bandages to treat wounds, cuts and assorted skin defects.
1922 – The scientific discovery of Tea Tree Oil was first made by Arthur Penfold in 1922. His studies determined that tea tree oil had a Ridealwalker co-efficient of between 11 and 13. This means the oil is 11 to 13 times more powerful than Carbolic acid (phenol) for killing bacteria and fungi, yet non-caustic to the skin.
1923 – For hundreds of years, the tea tree was a source of medicinal remedies for the Australian Aborigines. For instance, they used the crushed leaves to treat cuts and skin infections. In 1923, an Australian government scientist discovered that the tea tree oil was twelve times stronger as an antiseptic bactericide than carbolic acid. Tea tree oil is active against bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. It is a powerful immuno-stimulant that activates white blood cells.
1930 – In 1930, Dr EM Humphrey published an article about his findings. He had discovered tea tree oil to be an excellent germicide. His experiments found that the oil dissolved pus and left wounds and the surrounding areas clean. He went on to discover it was good for nail infections, gum and mouth infections, it deodorized pus-filled wounds and made an excellent soothing gargle when dissolved in water for early stages of sore throats.
1985 – In 1985, the Standards Association of Australia prepared a firm set of standards for medicinal grade Australian tea tree oil which stated that in high quality oil, the minimum amount of terpinen-4-ol must be 30 percent. Terpinen-4-ol has been clearly identified as a major germicidal component of the oil, with other factions having an anti-microbial effect. Tea tree oil’s germicide abilities work by causing structural damage to the bacterial or fungal cell wall and cell membrane.
2004 Aug 20, 2004 – Journal of Drugs in Dermatology May 1 2009… 700+ words: The History of Tea Tree Oil. From the leaves of the Melaleuca inhaled vapor to treat colds. Interest in tea tree oil peaked in the 1920s and 1930s.
Jan. 31, 2007 — Repeated use of products containing lavender oil or tea tree oil may spur breast growth in pre-pubertal boys, experts report in The New England Journal of Medicine. The effects fade when boys stop using the products, note the researchers. “This report raises an issue of concern, since lavender and tea tree oil are sold over the counter in their ‘pure’ form and are present in an increasing number of commercial products, including shampoos, hair gels and soaps.”
Jun 30, 2009 – People usually use tea tree oil to treat minor cuts, burns, acne, athlete’s foot, mild fungal nail infections, vaginal yeast infections, and lung problems when they add the oil to a bath or vaporizer. Although there is little research on tea tree oil, some studies suggest that it is safe and effective.
Jul 2, 2010 – A three-year study at The University of Western Australia’s Tea Tree Oil Research Group has found solid tumors grown under the skin in mice and treated with a tea tree oil formulation inhibits tumor growth, and tumor regresses within a day of treatment.