Discover 8 benefits of tea tree oil for children

Is your baby having skin infections? Someone told you should give your baby tea tree oil because it has so many health benefits. Are you wondering if this essential oil is really safe for your baby? 

Tea tree oil has long been used as a natural remedy for skin problems. With aFamilyToday Health explore the uses of this essential oil as well as learn about how to best use it with your baby.

What is tea tree oil?

This is an essential oil extracted from the leaves and branches of the tea tree, scientifically known as Melaleuca Alternifolia, native to northern New South Wales, Australia. This essential oil contains a natural antibacterial antiseptic, which gives it antibacterial properties to help fight many infections. Taking this essential oil is a fairly common and particularly helpful remedy for childhood infections.

Tea tree oil is often confused with tea tree oil , an essential oil distilled from the wind tree. Although they belong to the genus Melaleuca, the essential oils distilled from tea tree and melaleuca have many differences:

Tea tree oil (Tea Tree): essential oils are extracted from Tea tree branches and leaves (Melaleuca alternifolia), components mainly include: Gamma-terpinene, 4-ol-terpinen.

Cajeput oil: extracted from the branches and leaves of Melaleuca tree (Melaleuca cajuputi), the main ingredients include: Cineol (Eucalytol), α - Terminal, limonene.

Effects of tea tree oil on young children

1. Tea tree oil has antibacterial effects

Due to its strong antibacterial properties, this essential oil has the ability to kill harmful bacteria, preventing bacteria that cause dangerous diseases such as staph infections. As a result, this essential oil helps prevent many dangerous infections in young children.

2. Increase health

In addition to its strong antibacterial properties, tea tree oil also helps strengthen the baby's immune system , increasing the ability to absorb nutrients. Therefore, it has a cup to help protect the baby from many different diseases.

3. Tea tree oil helps the wound to heal quickly

In addition to healing wounds, tea tree oil also helps promote the healing process in young children, protecting them from harmful infections. Giving your baby this essential oil after suffering from diseases such as pimples, chickenpox (chickenpox), rashes and other infections helps to fade scars.

Thanks to its function of stimulating blood circulation, this essential oil improves blood circulation in the injured area, promotes healing, and speeds up the growth of new cells and tissues.

4. Tea tree oil has the effect of expectorant, effective cough treatment

You should give this essential oil to your baby when he or she has a cold, cough, stuffy nose, bronchitis and other health problems to reduce symptoms. You can put oil on your baby's chest before going to sleep or put a few drops on his pillow. In addition, you can use the baby's foot massage, which helps keep the body warm when the baby has a cold.

5. Tea tree oil stimulates sweating

Babies may experience health problems due to the accumulation of toxins in the body. Tea tree oil acts as a stimulant, helping the body to sweat, clean the pores, remove toxins, reduce excess water and salt in the baby's body.

6. Reduce itching, swelling and pain caused by insects

To reduce the symptoms of itching, swelling and pain caused by mosquitoes, insects, you apply a little of this essential oil to the wound.

Besides, to prevent the baby from being bitten by mosquitoes, apply on exposed parts of the baby's skin with diluted essential oils.

7. Stimulate blood circulation

Tea tree oil stimulates blood circulation, secretes hormones and strengthens the immune system, helping to protect your baby from many infections.

8. Tea tree oil has analgesic effects

Thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, this essential oil helps to reduce symptoms of sprains, muscle aches, and soreness in children.

In addition, you can add a few drops of essential oil in the inhaler to help relax the mind. If your baby has colic due to stomach cramps, put a few drops of essential oil in a glass of hot water and let him steam.

If you are breast-feeding, if cold infections cause pain in your hands and feet, you should massage with tea tree oil to help relax muscles and reduce spasticity.

Some things to note when using natural oils for babies

Because it is an essential oil with strong antibacterial properties, you should not give it to children under 6 months of age. Check if your baby is irritated to tea tree oil by diluting the oil and then applying it to a small area of ​​your baby's skin.

In fact, giving this essential oil to your baby rarely has side effects, but it can sometimes cause a baby's hormone to change. More seriously, it can be fatal in a newborn. To ensure your baby's safety, you should only apply topically with diluted oil and it's best to consult your doctor before giving it to your baby.