How are People Using Tea Tree Oil?
August 05, 2015
Tea Tree Oil May be a Great Alternative to Neosporin
Getting scrapes, cuts, and abrasions is just a part of everyday life. While these little accidents may be painful, small cuts are generally not threatening to our overall health – unless they get infected. The key to treating small scrapes and cuts is to make sure to clean the cut well, apply a topical antibiotic, and cover it to prevent any additional bacteria from getting into the wound. While Neosporin is the antibiotic we usually reach for, many people are looking for more natural alternatives to the products we use every day.
One of the natural alternatives that people turn to is using tea tree oil instead of Neosporin as a topical antibiotic. Popular with the native people of Australia, tea tree oil has been used as an antiseptic treatment, antifungal treatment, and antibacterial treatment for a number of different ailments, including skin abrasions and wounds. Some research suggests that the enzymes in tea tree oil negatively affect the structural set-up and integrity of bacteria, causing them to collapse during cell divide.
Since tea tree oil is unique in how it attacks bacteria, scientists are working to learn more about the substance so it can be used in a number of different ways. While much more scientific testing needs to be done on tea tree oil, scientists are hopeful this substance will be useful when it comes to treating strains of all kinds of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotic drugs and other typical treatments.
Tea tree oil, however, should never be applied to the skin in its pure form. The oil should be diluted with water in order to make it safe to apply to the surface of the skin. Tea tree oil, in its concentrated form, can be very toxic, and both humans and animals can be very sensitive to this type of substance. If there is any concern about using tea tree oil as a natural topical antibiotic treatment you should always consult with a health care professional before using on yourself or your loved ones.
Lucky for these individuals, there are a number of natural alternatives to Neosporin. While these topical antibiotics are promising, it is important to keep in mind that they do not have the same medical research supporting their effectiveness. If you are interested in learning more about our products featuring tea tree oil, click here.