Author: Angel A Johnsonbr
Source: ezinearticles.combr
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Want to know how to treat acne effectively and naturally? Tea tree oil is an effective topical treatment for fighting acne. It comes from the Australian woody shrub plant, Melaleuca alternifolia. Historically, this oil has been used to treat burns and cuts, to fight skin infections, and to fight fungal infections. Today it is used in a multitude of acne fighting products due to its anti-microbrial properties. It is often sold as an essential oil after it has been extracted from the plants leaves. However, you can find it in ointments, creams, gels, soaps, and lotions.
Tea tree oil contains terpinen-4-ol, which can kill acne-causing bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes. It can help reduce breakouts, both inflamed and non-inflamed, or open and unopened sores.
Some studies have shown that it is as effective as chemical counterparts, such as benzoyl peroxide (considered the standard in OTC acne medication), but it did not cause the peeling, flaking, or dryness that these chemicals usually cause.
Pure tea tree oil is quite powerful. Left undiluted, it can cause redness, blistering, overdrying, and itching. So, it is recommended that it is used in a diluted solution. You can mix two to three drops with 2 tablespoon of water, or base oils such as almond oil, or grape seed oil. Use a cotton swab, and only apply it to infected areas.
However, because of its potency, it is suggested that you buy it in pre-diluted (usually 5%) or micro-encapsulated (its particles are encapsulated to slow its release) form. They can be purchased at a variety of places, health food stores and organic food stores. They can possibly be found in the health section of large retailers such as Wal-Mart.
It is only meant to be used as a topical agent, and not ingested. Ingested, it can cause a number of adverse side effects such as diarrhea, drowsiness, confusion, and even death because it can affect depress the central nervous system.
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