Tea Tree Oil For Hair Growth

This article is one of ten in a series titled “The 10 Best Oils For Hair Growth“. To discover the other nine best oils to promote healthy hair, hit the green link.

Tea tree oil is a pale yellow substance extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia and is sometimes known as melaleuca oil. Tea tree oil is fantastic for hair as it has the following important properties:

Antiseptic – Studies of tea tree oil have shown it to be effective in fighting bacteria, scabies, mites, lice and other harmful organisms.

Antifungal – Malassezia furfur is the most common dermatophyte to cause dandruff. With only a 5% concentration, tea tree oil is a very effective treatment for Malassezia furfur.

Antiviral – Limited studies have shown the potential for tea tree oil to treat certain viruses such as cold sores (herpes), shingles and chicken pox.

Anti-inflammatory – Like many essential oils, tea tree oil acts to efficiently reduce inflammation due to infection or injury.

These properties make tea tree oil a very useful tool in the fight against hair loss and promotion of hair growth. By disinfecting the scalp, tea tree oil reduces the build-up of residues around the hair follicles allowing for the free flow of sebum (our natural, self-produced moisturizer) into the hair shafts. In addition, by reducing the inflammation around the hair follicles, tea tree oil promotes regeneration of existing hair while promoting new growth.

The nutrient dense nature of tea tree oil nourishes the hair leaving it soft, shiny and less subject to breakage which in turn gives the appearance of a fuller head of hair. It also maintains the moisture and overall health of the scalp to further encourage healthy hair growth.

The benefits of tea tree oil are not limited to the hair and scalp. Similar results of restored health have also been shown in damaged skin after tea tree oil treatment. Due to its antiseptic properties, it is also effective in treating many common skin conditions such as dermatitis, corns, athlete’s foot and yeast infections.

Rinsing the teeth and gums with a diluted tea tree oil inhibits the growth of bacteria in the mouth. The oil also helps to fight infection, inflammation and/or bleeding gums. When vaporized, tea tree oil also soothes sore throats, chest congestion and laryngitis.

Caution: Tea tree oil should always be diluted before use to avoid toxic exposure. If a high concentration in consumed it may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, confusion and in some cases, coma. Topical overdose can lead to irritation, redness and itchy skin. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid using tea tree oil.

You can buy tea tree oil online on Amazon. I personally recommend the Tea Tree Oil from Herbal Authority. Click the link for more information and to buy yourself a bottle.

Alternatively, you can benefit from the incredible hair care properties of Tea Tree oil by using a tea tree enriched shampoo and conditioner. If you’d like to try this then pick up this pack of Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo & Conditioner. It’s a little expensive but is one of the best shampoos in the world.

If you enjoyed discovering the miracle benefits tea tree oil has for our hair, you’ll probably also enjoy these articles from the archive…

Mira Hair Oil: The Undisputed Best Oil For Hair
The Top 7 Best Vitamins For Hair Growth
The Top 3 Best Homemade Hair Moisturizer Recipes
How To Use Avocado Oil For Your Hair
How To Use Shea Butter For Beautiful Hair