Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree)
The tea tree that is used to make tea tree oil is a bush that grows in Australian swamps. It was originally used by Australia’s aborigines, as an antiseptic to clean wounds. Tea tree oil has been the subject of many scientific studies which have confirmed its usefulness as an antimicrobial. Tea tree oil cannot be taken internally (it is poisonous), but herbalists report that it can be used effectively to defeat bacteria, viruses and fungi that attack the surface of the skin.
Using Tea Tree Oil to Get Rid of a Wart
Method
- Apply a solution of two percent tea tree oil to the wart, three or four times per day. Repeat until the wart is gone.
- Be patient. It may take several weeks of treatment to get rid of the wart entirely.
Why It Works
Tea tree oil contains a chemical called terpinen-4-ol, a strong antimicrobial which has been shown to be effective at killing viruses. Warts are caused by a virus, human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV causes cells to grow rapidly on the outer layer of your skin.
Precautions
Tea tree oil can kill viruses and bacteria, but it can also kill skin cells. Be careful not to get too much tea tree oil onto your healthy skin cells; apply it only to the wart.
Do not use tea tree oil in your ear; doctors suspect that tea tree oil can cause ear damage and hearing problems, although this has not been verified in any studies yet.
Tea tree oil is toxic, and should never be taken internally. It can cause a coma or even death if you ingest even a small amount of it. Even for topical use, tea tree oil should be diluted. Use a solution of no more than two percent tea tree oil when you are applying tea tree oil to your skin. Some people develop an allergic reaction to tea tree oil; stop using it if you start to develop hives or a rash.
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