Using Tea Tree Oil

*Note: This article does not replace medical advise.

Tea Tree Oil or Melaleuca Oil is an essential oil with a fresh, camphoraceous odor. It is taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia treewhich is native to the northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia. The oil has beneficial medicinal properties (including antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial action), and is also believed to have beneficial cosmetic properties. Tea tree oil is usually used diluted, as reactions are common with pure tea tree oil.

20 great ways to use Tea Tree Oil (or Melaleuca Oil)

For Health

1. Use a dab to treat acne.
2. An anti-fungal for treating Athlete’s Foot, eczema, various yeast infections, etc.
3. An antiseptic to be used on cuts and burns.
4. An anti-viral: it may lessen the symptoms of colds and flu. Try using a few drops in the bath.
5. Add to a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion.
6. Add a small amount to shampoo to destroy head lice.
7. A small amount added to your bath can help with persistent body odor.
8. Treating sinus infection.
9. For dandruff and itchy, dry scalp.
10. In the form of aromatherapy, tea tree oil is used to treat colds, persistent coughs, acne, toothaches, and sunburn.

For Cleaning

11. To create an all-purpose cleaner, combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.
12. Another version would be 14 ounces of water with 1 ounce of Murphy’s oil soap and 10 drops of tea tree oil.
13. Mix the above solution with kosher salt to scrub bathtub and bathroom tiles.
14. Add a few drops to dishwasher dispenser, then fill with a green dishwashing soap.
15. A few drops added to each load of laundry leave your clothes smelling cleaner.
16. Control mold with a tea tree oil/water spray.
17. Remove mustiness with that same tea tree oil/water spray.
18. To keep germs at bay, spray it on high chairs, car seats, and other high traffic spots.
19. 15 drops in a quart of water can be an effective insect repellent.
20. Be sure to take some with you when hiking and camping to put directly on insect bites or blisters.

Reference: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/tea-oil-nature-noncrude.html

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There's lots of great information on their website including: patient assistance, disease information, and breast cancer in the news. You can also find a mammography center near you. Some of the info from their site:
Did you know?
~Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancer.
~According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year.
~Today, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.
~Not all breast cancers are alike - there are different stages of breast cancer based on the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread.

For more info and resources, check out the site here: http://www.nbcam.org/

Fantastic Foods--You are what you Eat?

The right foods can help you feel good and look good, too! Check these out:

*Walnuts--high in antioxidants, essential fatty acids. Beneficial for heart and inflammatory skin conditions

*Green apples--probiotic and improve digestions. Pectin helps cholesterol levels

*Kiwi--seeds are high in alpha linoleic acid (essential fatty acid) great for cardiovascular health

*Carrots--high in beta-carotene, and fiber helps stimulate digestion

*Coconut oil--high in lauric acid, a fatty acid with antibacterial properties. Helps balance metabolism, repair liver. Also for skin, has moisturizing properties.

*Ginger--warming, great for digestion and nausea. Natural decongestant.

Of course, none of this information is intended to diagnose or treat any illness, or replace your doctor's advice!