The essential oil of tea tree: the benefits for the scalp.

This essential oil is derived from the leaves of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), which is native to Australia. Like other essential oils, tea tree oil has been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. The Aboriginal people of Australia used it to clean wounds and treat infections. However, it was not until 1922 that the antiseptic properties and antibacterial properties of the plant were demonstrated by the chemist Arthur DE RAMAN PENFOLD. An interesting fact, at the beginning of the Second World War, the tea tree essential oil was added to every first aid kit of the Australian army and navy due to its anti-infectious virtues.

The essential oil of tea tree is the result of asteam distillation process (hydrodistillation).Typically, 100 kg of tea tree leaves are required to harvest 1 to 2 litres oftea tree essential oil. Organoleptically, it is a clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid with a woody scent. It primarily containsmonoterpenols(around 45% of terpinen-4-ol) andmonoterpenes(gamma-terpinene, alpha terpinene, limonene). These compounds are responsible for itspurifying and sanitising properties.

The skin of the scalp is particularly sensitive, making it vulnerable to skin conditions. Minor fungal infections are often responsible for itchiness and dandruff. As an antifungal agent, tea tree essential oil can help effectively manage these conditions.

Seborrheic dermatitis, more commonly known as greasy dandruff, is one of the most prevalent scalp issues. It results in flaky skin, scales, oily patches, and redness on the scalp. If you have a beard, you may also experience dandruff on your face.

The emergence of dandruff could be linked to an increased sensitivity to a type of fungus known as Malassezia which is naturally found on the scalp. Based on this theory, the natural antifungal properties of tea tree essential oil make it a good option for treating fungal scalp conditions, such as dandruff.

This hypothesis was confirmed through a clinical study conducted in 2002 by BARNETSON and his team. The daily use for four weeks of a shampoo containing 5% tea tree essential oil reduced dandruff in the study participants by 41%.

If you have never used tea tree essential oil before, start by conducting a patch test to ensure that you do not have an allergic reaction. Apply a few drops of the essential oil to a small area of skin and monitor for signs of irritation over 24 hours. If you do not have a reaction, you can use it on a larger area, such as the scalp.

Never apply pure tea tree essential oil to your scalp without diluting it first. Instead, mix it with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. It can be challenging to remove the oil mixture from your hair, so you might want to try diluting it in another substance, like aloe vera or apple cider vinegar. You could also try adding tea tree essential oil to your regular shampoo.

When preparing your own tea tree essential oil solution, start with a concentration of 5%. This equates to 5 millilitres (mL) of essential oil for every 100 mL of what is known as carrier vegetable oil.

You can also purchase an anti-dandruff shampoo containing tea tree oil.

• BARNETSON R. StC. & al. Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2002).

• RILEY T. V. & others Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical Microbiology Reviews Journal (2006).

• KAZEROUNI A. & et al. A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. International Journal of Dermatology (2013).