The wonder oils
The Wonder Oils: Tea tree, Neem and Oregano are potent, all-purpose
healer
The Wonder Oils: Tea tree, Neem and Oregano are potent, all-purpose
healers - antiseptic and antibacterial remedies from tree leaves
Vegetarian Times, August, 1998 by Norine Dworkin
Tea tree, neem and oregano are potent, all-purpose healers.
The plant kingdom offers natural remedies for nearly every ailment.
But
why juggle a dozen herbal oils when a jack-of-all-trades works just
as
well. The following essential oils, tea tree, neem and oregano, are
true
multitaskers. And because they’re highly concentrated–just one drop
of
essential oil equals about 30 cups of herbal tea–a small bottle
goes a
long way.
TEA TREE OIL (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca tree and packed with the
active
ingredient terpinen-4-ol, tea tree oil is highly prized for its
versatility. "I realized that I could do what three-quarters of the
items in a drug store could do with one bottle of tea tree oil,"
says
Cynthia Olsen, author of Australian Tea Tree Oil Guide (Kali Press,
1997). "I won’t go anywhere without it."
Used by Australian aborigines for centuries, tea tree oil began
attracting wider attention when the 18th-century explorer Capt.
James
Cook discovered the lush Melaleuca groves in New South Wales. He
dubbed
them "tea trees" for the spicy tea brewed from their leaves and
brought
samples back to England.
Australian medical journals have documented tea tree oil’s
antiseptic
and antibacterial properties since the late 1920s, and the pungent
oil
was standard issue for all Australian military first-aid kits until
the
1930s, when synthetic antibiotics began to eclipse this natural
healer.
Today, with many "supergerms" resisting even the strongest
antibiotics,
tea tree oil’s popularity is again on the rise. (Plant oils are
believed
to suffocate bacteria, which is why they don’t become resistant.)
Microbiologists at the University of East London are studying its
effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus, a dangerous pathogen
found
in hospitals. A study published in 1995 in the Journal of
Antimicrobial
Chemotherapy found that a dilution of 0.5 percent tea tree oil
killed
this bacterium in test tubes.
For at-home use, tea tree oil is great for disinfecting minor cuts,
abrasions and burns. Parents should keep a bottle of pure oil handy
when
school starts because it makes a highly effective, nontoxic lice
remedy.
Just mix 5 drops of tea tree oil with 5 drops of eucalyptus oil and
6
drops of lavender oil in 2 ounces of almond or olive oil. Saturate
hair
and Scalp, cover with plastic and let sit for 2 hours. Then comb
hair
with special nit comb and wash. Repeat daily until lice are gone.
Gargling twice daily with a few drops in warm water relieves sore
throats. Rubbed on the nose and forehead, it alleviates head
congestion.
A few drops on the chest and back breaks up a phlegmy cough.
But tea tree oil is known as an effective acne fighter. A 1990 study
by
Lederle Laboratories and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Great
Britain
found that a 5 percent tea tree oil gel was as effective as benzoyl
peroxide in treating acne, with less drying, stinging and redness.
Use a
commercially prepared ointment, available in natural health stores,
or
dab undiluted oil right on pimples.
Tea tree oil’s antifungual properties also are well-documented. A
double-blind study published in the Journal of Family Practice (June
1994) found that pure tea tree oil relieved nail fungus as
effectively
as 1 percent clotrimazole, a topical antifungal drug. And in 1985,
researchers at the University of Paris studied 28 women who used tea
tree oil suppositories to combat Candida albicans, the common yeast
infection. After one month, 21 women showed a complete recovery.
Dilute
a few drops of tea tree oil in a spoonful of water, put it on a
tampon
and leave inserted for 24 hours.
You’ll find tea tree oil in plenty of commercial first-aid and
beauty
products. You also can use the undiluted essential oil or make your
own
preparations. Before treating yourself, rub a small amount on your
inner
arm to be sure you’re not allergic.
NEEM (Azadiracta indica)
Affectionately called "the village pharmacy," India’s neem tree is
practically a first-aid kit in itself. Packed with the
antibacterial,
antifungal, antiviral, antihistamine, antiseptic, spermicidal and
immune-system stimulating components nimbin and nimbidin, neem is
said
to do everything from repelling insects to preventing
pregnancy. "It’s a
great family first-aid herb," says Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, a
Seattle-based herbalist and co-author of Herbal Defense (Warner
Books,
1997).
Neem’s role in medicine predates the codification of India’s natural
healing system, Ayurveda; indeed, its uses were well-documented in
the
ancient texts on which Ayurveda is based. Perhaps because they are
so
versatile (and they thrive under the harshest conditions) neem trees
are
cherished in India. Hindu folklore holds that one who plants three
neem
trees lives for three epochs in the "sun world" and never goes to
hell.
Neem oil is found primarily in topical health and beauty products,
where
its strong scent (akin to raw garlic or burnt coffee) is often
masked by
more pleasant oils. Although few studies have been done on neem oil,
4,500 years of continued use bear out its efficacy: Added to
toothpaste
and mouthwash, it prevents cavities and gingivitis; in creams
(containing at least 25 percent neem oil), it combats vaginal
infections
and sexually transmitted diseases; in soaps and shampoos, it kills
lice,
ringworm and scabies; mixed with equal parts vegetable oil and
water, it
makes a healing soak for athlete’s foot; undiluted, it repels fleas,
ticks, mosquitoes and flies. And test tube and human studies done at
India’s Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Science found
that
neem oil mixed with Indian soap nut extract and quinine was nearly
100
percent effective as a spermicide.
But neem oil is a real standout for skin care. Ayurveda believes
that
skin conditions are the result of excess sugar in the body, so
neem’s
bitterness is used to restore balance. The oil also contains fatty
acids, which build collagen, promote wound healing and maintain
skin’s
elasticity. According to John Conrick, author of Neem–The Ultimate
Herb
(Hopeful Communications, 1994), neem is as effective as cortisone
for
psoriasis, Wash the affected area with neem soap, then apply a cream
with at least 1 percent neem oil. This same recipe can be used for
acne,
eczema, cuts and scrapes, minor bums and ringworm. For lice and
scabies,
use neem shampoo, then add a neem cream to the hair and scalp, leave
it
in overnight, and comb through with a nit comb before washing it
out.
(Try the same routine, minus the nit comb, for dandruff.)
Although other parts of the neem tree can be safely consumed (tea is
regularly made from the leaves and bark), it’s best not to ingest
the
oil–long-term use has been linked with liver dysfunction.
OREGANO OIL (Origanum vulgare)
Not the herb you put on pizza and pasta, wild mountain oregano (a
highly
aromatic member of the mint family found only in the Mediterranean)
is a
potent remedy for skin and fungal conditions, chronic pain, insect
bites, even nasty summer colds. Its powerful antiseptic,
antibacterial,
antiparasitical, antiviral, analgesic and antifungal properties are
attributed to the active ingredient carvacrol.
For most skin problems, Cass Ingram, D.O., author of The Cure is in
the
Cupboard: How to Use Oregano for Better Health (Knowledge House,
1997),
recommends applying 1 drop of oil to the affected area or soaking a
cotton ball with oil and taping it in place overnight. You also can
treat fungal infections, insect bites and minor bums this way. "I’ve
never seen anything reduce inflammation or swelling for burns so
quickly," says Ingram. "For Sunburn, it’s a total lifesaver."
Oregano oil also makes a good topical analgesic. According to a
study
done by the Anadolu University in Turkey and published in the
journal
Phytotherapy Research, topical applications of oregano oil worked
better
than ibuprofen and nearly as well as morphine for controlling
chronic
pain. Rubbed into the chest, oregano oil breaks up mucous during a
cold.
Applied to gums, fights plaque and gingivitis.
For yeast infections, a 1995 study published in the Journal of
Applied
Nutrition found that the carvacrol contained in a 1 percent
concentration of oregano oil effectively killed the bacteria Candida
albicans. One caveat: Oregano is very warming. "When the plant’s
phenols
[a type of flavonoid], which are rich in oxygen, hit water, they
create
a hydrogen ion shift and produce heat," explains Ingram, who points
out
that oregano owes its germ-fighting prowess to the heat. "The heat
reaction dehydrates germs and kills them, with no harm to the human
tissues," he says. "Although it could be uncomfortable." When
applying
oregano oil to sensitive areas, like the vagina or face, dilute 1 to
2
drops in a teaspoon of olive oil first.
While many herbal companies tout oregano oil’s internal use, other
herbalists say it’s best used topically.
"It contains harsh phenols," explains Mindy Green, director of
educational services at the Herb Research Foundation in Boulder,
Colo.
"A skilled aromatherapist wouldn’t encourage internal use or long-
term
use of oregano essential oil–oregano as an herb is fine. The oil is
potentially damaging to the liver and kidneys when taken at high
doses
for long periods of time."
Used wisely, however, tea tree, neem and oregano oils can become
indispensable to your first-aid kit. When it comes to those minor
mishaps and beauty emergencies, remember, a little dab’ll do ya.
Norine Dworkin is senior articles editor of Vegetarian Times.
October 19th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
I have oily, sensitive skin and Tea Tree Oil makes me break out more and
makes my skin really blotchy. However, I bought some dental floss with Tea
Tree Oil and I love it.
Alison
The Wonder Oils: Tea tree, Neem and Oregano are potent, all-purpose
healer
The Wonder Oils: Tea tree, Neem and Oregano are potent, all-purpose
healers - antiseptic and antibacterial remedies from tree leaves
Vegetarian Times, August, 1998 by Norine Dworkin
Tea tree, neem and oregano are potent, all-purpose healers.
The plant kingdom offers natural remedies for nearly every ailment.
But
why juggle a dozen herbal oils when a jack-of-all-trades works just
as
well. The following essential oils, tea tree, neem and oregano, are
true
multitaskers. And because they’re highly concentrated–just one drop
of
essential oil equals about 30 cups of herbal tea–a small bottle
goes a
long way.
TEA TREE OIL (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca tree and packed with the
active
ingredient terpinen-4-ol, tea tree oil is highly prized for its
versatility. "I realized that I could do what three-quarters of the
items in a drug store could do with one bottle of tea tree oil,"
says
Cynthia Olsen, author of Australian Tea Tree Oil Guide (Kali Press,
1997). "I won’t go anywhere without it."
Used by Australian aborigines for centuries, tea tree oil began
attracting wider attention when the 18th-century explorer Capt.
James
Cook discovered the lush Melaleuca groves in New South Wales. He
dubbed
them "tea trees" for the spicy tea brewed from their leaves and
brought
samples back to England.
Australian medical journals have documented tea tree oil’s
antiseptic
and antibacterial properties since the late 1920s, and the pungent
oil
was standard issue for all Australian military first-aid kits until
the
1930s, when synthetic antibiotics began to eclipse this natural
healer.
Today, with many "supergerms" resisting even the strongest
antibiotics,
tea tree oil’s popularity is again on the rise. (Plant oils are
believed
to suffocate bacteria, which is why they don’t become resistant.)
Microbiologists at the University of East London are studying its
effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus, a dangerous pathogen
found
in hospitals. A study published in 1995 in the Journal of
Antimicrobial
Chemotherapy found that a dilution of 0.5 percent tea tree oil
killed
this bacterium in test tubes.
For at-home use, tea tree oil is great for disinfecting minor cuts,
abrasions and burns. Parents should keep a bottle of pure oil handy
when
school starts because it makes a highly effective, nontoxic lice
remedy.
Just mix 5 drops of tea tree oil with 5 drops of eucalyptus oil and
6
drops of lavender oil in 2 ounces of almond or olive oil. Saturate
hair
and Scalp, cover with plastic and let sit for 2 hours. Then comb
hair
with special nit comb and wash. Repeat daily until lice are gone.
Gargling twice daily with a few drops in warm water relieves sore
throats. Rubbed on the nose and forehead, it alleviates head
congestion.
A few drops on the chest and back breaks up a phlegmy cough.
But tea tree oil is known as an effective acne fighter. A 1990 study
by
Lederle Laboratories and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Great
Britain
found that a 5 percent tea tree oil gel was as effective as benzoyl
peroxide in treating acne, with less drying, stinging and redness.
Use a
commercially prepared ointment, available in natural health stores,
or
dab undiluted oil right on pimples.
Tea tree oil’s antifungual properties also are well-documented. A
double-blind study published in the Journal of Family Practice (June
1994) found that pure tea tree oil relieved nail fungus as
effectively
as 1 percent clotrimazole, a topical antifungal drug. And in 1985,
researchers at the University of Paris studied 28 women who used tea
tree oil suppositories to combat Candida albicans, the common yeast
infection. After one month, 21 women showed a complete recovery.
Dilute
a few drops of tea tree oil in a spoonful of water, put it on a
tampon
and leave inserted for 24 hours.
You’ll find tea tree oil in plenty of commercial first-aid and
beauty
products. You also can use the undiluted essential oil or make your
own
preparations. Before treating yourself, rub a small amount on your
inner
arm to be sure you’re not allergic.
NEEM (Azadiracta indica)
Affectionately called "the village pharmacy," India’s neem tree is
practically a first-aid kit in itself. Packed with the
antibacterial,
antifungal, antiviral, antihistamine, antiseptic, spermicidal and
immune-system stimulating components nimbin and nimbidin, neem is
said
to do everything from repelling insects to preventing
pregnancy. "It’s a
great family first-aid herb," says Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, a
Seattle-based herbalist and co-author of Herbal Defense (Warner
Books,
1997).
Neem’s role in medicine predates the codification of India’s natural
healing system, Ayurveda; indeed, its uses were well-documented in
the
ancient texts on which Ayurveda is based. Perhaps because they are
so
versatile (and they thrive under the harshest conditions) neem trees
are
cherished in India. Hindu folklore holds that one who plants three
neem
trees lives for three epochs in the "sun world" and never goes to
hell.
Neem oil is found primarily in topical health and beauty products,
where
its strong scent (akin to raw garlic or burnt coffee) is often
masked by
more pleasant oils. Although few studies have been done on neem oil,
4,500 years of continued use bear out its efficacy: Added to
toothpaste
and mouthwash, it prevents cavities and gingivitis; in creams
(containing at least 25 percent neem oil), it combats vaginal
infections
and sexually transmitted diseases; in soaps and shampoos, it kills
lice,
ringworm and scabies; mixed with equal parts vegetable oil and
water, it
makes a healing soak for athlete’s foot; undiluted, it repels fleas,
ticks, mosquitoes and flies. And test tube and human studies done at
India’s Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Science found
that
neem oil mixed with Indian soap nut extract and quinine was nearly
100
percent effective as a spermicide.
But neem oil is a real standout for skin care. Ayurveda believes
that
skin conditions are the result of excess sugar in the body, so
neem’s
bitterness is used to restore balance. The oil also contains fatty
acids, which build collagen, promote wound healing and maintain
skin’s
elasticity. According to John Conrick, author of Neem–The Ultimate
Herb
(Hopeful Communications, 1994), neem is as effective as cortisone
for
psoriasis, Wash the affected area with neem soap, then apply a cream
with at least 1 percent neem oil. This same recipe can be used for
acne,
eczema, cuts and scrapes, minor bums and ringworm. For lice and
scabies,
use neem shampoo, then add a neem cream to the hair and scalp, leave
it
in overnight, and comb through with a nit comb before washing it
out.
(Try the same routine, minus the nit comb, for dandruff.)
Although other parts of the neem tree can be safely consumed (tea is
regularly made from the leaves and bark), it’s best not to ingest
the
oil–long-term use has been linked with liver dysfunction.
OREGANO OIL (Origanum vulgare)
Not the herb you put on pizza and pasta, wild mountain oregano (a
highly
aromatic member of the mint family found only in the Mediterranean)
is a
potent remedy for skin and fungal conditions, chronic pain, insect
bites, even nasty summer colds. Its powerful antiseptic,
antibacterial,
antiparasitical, antiviral, analgesic and antifungal properties are
attributed to the active ingredient carvacrol.
For most skin problems, Cass Ingram, D.O., author of The Cure is in
the
Cupboard: How to Use Oregano for Better Health (Knowledge House,
1997),
recommends applying 1 drop of oil to the affected area or soaking a
cotton ball with oil and taping it in place overnight. You also can
treat fungal infections, insect bites and minor bums this way. "I’ve
never seen anything reduce inflammation or swelling for burns so
quickly," says Ingram. "For Sunburn, it’s a total lifesaver."
Oregano oil also makes a good topical analgesic. According to a
study
done by the Anadolu University in Turkey and published in the
journal
Phytotherapy Research, topical applications of oregano oil worked
better
than ibuprofen and nearly as well as morphine for controlling
chronic
pain. Rubbed into the chest, oregano oil breaks up mucous during a
cold.
Applied to gums, fights plaque and gingivitis.
For yeast infections, a 1995 study published in the Journal of
Applied
Nutrition found that the carvacrol contained in a 1 percent
concentration of oregano oil effectively killed the bacteria Candida
albicans. One caveat: Oregano is very warming. "When the plant’s
phenols
[a type of flavonoid], which are rich in oxygen, hit water, they
create
a hydrogen ion shift and produce heat," explains Ingram, who points
out
that oregano owes its germ-fighting prowess to the heat. "The heat
reaction dehydrates germs and kills them, with no harm to the human
tissues," he says. "Although it could be uncomfortable." When
applying
oregano oil to sensitive areas, like the vagina or face, dilute 1 to
2
drops in a teaspoon of olive oil first.
While many herbal companies tout oregano oil’s internal use, other
herbalists say it’s best used topically.
"It contains harsh phenols," explains Mindy Green, director of
educational services at the Herb Research Foundation in Boulder,
Colo.
"A skilled aromatherapist wouldn’t encourage internal use or long-
term
use of oregano essential oil–oregano as an herb is fine. The oil is
potentially damaging to the liver and kidneys when taken at high
doses
for long periods of time."
Used wisely, however, tea tree, neem and oregano oils can become
indispensable to your first-aid kit. When it comes to those minor
mishaps and beauty emergencies, remember, a little dab’ll do ya.
Norine Dworkin is senior articles editor of Vegetarian Times.