Tea tree oil is an oil that comes from comes from one species of
Melaleuca alternifolia tree. It’s made by steam distilling the
leaves of this native Australian tree. There are hundreds of
types of Malelaleuca alternifolia tree but only one produces tea
tree oil. The clear oil produced from the Melaleuca alternifolia
tree has the scent of camphor and has been used as an antiseptic
in Australia and for other medicinal purposes for decades.
Studies show that tea tree oil has activity against bacteria,
fungi and viruses, including the herpes simplex virus that
causes cold sores and genital warts. Because tea tree oil has
anti-bacterial properties, it may be beneficial for treating
acne, the most common skin problem among adolescents, teens and
young adults. Acne is a skin disease characterized by
overproduction of sebum and abnormal shedding of skin cells
inside hair follicles. The excess sebum and dead skin cells
block the opening of the hair follicle called the pore. Bacteria
then feed on the dead skin cells,