Tea tree oil for cellulite removal? Is this really possible? We have scoured the world wide web for so many times now to look for the best cellulite remedies.
One thing we have noticed is the number of anti-cellulite oils and creams, and even slimming lotions that have tea tree as their ingredient. Naturally, this piqued our interest. What is in tea tree oil that many cosmetics include them?
Is it really effective? Can it help you win your decade-long fight against cellulite?
This post aims to briefly explain the history of tea tree oil, what it can do, and if it can help with eliminating cellulite. Let’s find out if tea tree oil is indeed effective in this battle. Let’s start, shall we?
But first, let me tell you a little bit about cellulite.
Table of Contents
What Is Cellulite?
You all know this one too well. Cellulite is the manifestation of lumps and dimples on your abdomen, hips, thighs, and butt. Women usually suffer from this skin condition of having cheese-like appearance which affects self-esteem in the long run.
How does this affect one’s confidence? Well, those who have this condition can attest to this. For instance, women on the beach resort to wearing pants because they want to cover up those hideous marks. So instead of showing off their bodies, they end up covering everything.
Having cellulite is so common that even celebrities have it. It might not be an immediate medical concern, but many women want to address this problem as this affects their way of living.
The following are some of the causes of cellulite:
Unhealthy diet and lifestyle
- Fad diets
- Poor hydration
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Hormone changes
- Body fat
- Genetics
- Slow metabolism
Now that you know what cellulite is, let us now talk about how tea tree oil came to be. But will we know if tea tree oil for cellulite elimination is possible? Just wait and see.
Tea Tree Oil: A History
To start, let me clarify that tea tree oil is NOT derived from plants used to make black or green tea.
Melaleuca alternifolia tree or Tea Tree is a plant indigenous to the eastern Australian coast and Southeast Queensland. Its flowers grow on tall evergreen bushes and form in clusters on the head.
When bunched together, you can find as many as eighty flowers in the head. Altogether, they form something that looks like cleaning brushes with small bristles.
In the eighteenth-century, it was believed that Captain James Cook brewed and served this tea to his crew to keep them from getting scurvy. He got this idea after seeing Aboriginals whip up a fragrant and minty blend from the Melaleuca tree leaves.
Tea Tree essential oil has been used for many years. In fact, several medical studies have reported its effectiveness in removing virus, fungi, and bacteria. In addition to that, it is also an antiseptic that can heal wounds and inflammations.
Australian aborigines can’t speak highly enough of Tea tree oil’s healing properties as it is used as antibiotics even before prescription medicines came to be. The leaves are applied to wounds and kept in place by mud pack “dressing” to work their magic.
The leaves can also be crushed and brewed, or inhaled for its soothing effect. Furthermore, you can use the crushed leaves to relieve colds and cough.
What Are the Benefits of Tea Tree Oil?
When inhaled, the scent of Tea Tree essential oils is being processed by the brain and recognizes its calming properties. It helps keep the brain and body feel at ease. Just a few drops of this oil on your pillow will give you a good night’s sleep as anxiety is lessened.
Clogged nose? Trouble breathing? A few drops of this bowl into a bowl of hot water will help. Just lean over the bowl and drape a towel over your head as you inhale the steam along with its fragrant vapor. You can also add a few drops to your tub for an extra relaxing bath.
In addition to that, this oil also has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. It can stop the bleeding, remove bacteria from the wound, close off scars, and lessen pain. This means that it can be used as remedy for bites, cuts, and minor burns.
Those who are serious when it comes to skin care will definitely love this oil. It can bring back your skin’s youthful glow as it removes all of the blemishes. It keeps the skin soft, supple while it inhibits aging because the oil is packed with antioxidants.
Want some recipes? A few drops of diluted Tea Tree oil have the power to minimize your pores and refresh your skin. Make sure to apply gently on the problem area to see the results. You can also use it as a gentle toner for oily skin types.
Lice and nit infestation? Dandruff? Dry, flaky scalp? Tea Tree Oil is your solution. It is an antiseptic that dramatically gets rid of those unwelcome pests on your hair. It also improves blood flow while keeping your scalp fresh, so expect fast dandruff removal and healthy hair growth.
If you are itching to try it on your hair, you can create your own shampoo by mixing Tea Tree oil, Lavender essential oil, and diluting it with Aloe Vera gel and coco milk.
Tea tree oil for cellulite alone? Nope, it can also address other problems such as bad odor, and fungal infections such as toenail fungus and Athlete’s Foot.
Lastly, you can use it as disinfectant as it can eliminate bacteria, viruses, and mold. If you mix Tea tree oil with lemon essential oil, you will get an aromatic air freshener that gets rid of unwanted body odor even from sportswear, and shoes. Plus, this is non-toxic and natural freshener so it is safe for everyone.
You can also mix three drops of this oil with your regular laundry detergent to remove odor from build-up of microbes in your washing machine.
Ran out of surface cleaner? Combine Tea Tree oil with Lemon essential oil, and vinegar, then dilute it with water… and voila! You can now disinfect your sink, counter tops, kitchen ware, toilet, and more. But remember not to use it on marble and granite as vinegar can damage those stones.
As you can see, there is a myriad of uses and benefits from using Tea Tree oil. The uses range from medicinal to cosmetic. There’s no wonder why products ranging from disinfectant sprays to lotions, oils, gels, creams, soaps, shampoos, and more have Tea Tree oil in them.
Risks and Side Effects
You should know though that tea tree oil should not be consumed or applied topically as it poses several risks. Ingesting tea tree oil can cause:
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Sluggishness
- Delusion
- Lack of muscle control
- Coma
Those who directly apply the oil onto the skin without diluting it can suffer from:
- Dermatitis – please discontinue use if you experience rashes, itching, and burning sensation. You may also see scaling and dryness.
- Swelling of breast tissue – this occurs in prepubescent boys who are constantly using products with tea tree oil or lavender oil. Further studies are needed though.
- Antibiotic resistance – constant use and application might lead to this which is a major interest in medicine.
Those with eczema should also avoid this oil.
Should a need to apply the oil topically arise, please dilute the oil in a carrier oil. Better yet, buy a product with Tea tree oil that is already safety tested.
You might be allergic to it so make sure that you take a patch test before using it on your problem areas. If you see or feel any skin irritations, rinse it off at once and stop using the oil altogether.
Can You Use Tea Tree Oil for Cellulite Relief?
As you may well know by now, toxins and fats are some of the reasons why cellulite exists.
The good thing is that Tea Tree oil has sudorific properties. This means that it can help you get rid of your toxins through facilitating perspiration. The more you sweat, the more fats and toxins you lose.
Remember, people exercise to lose cellulite, right? Using tea tree oil has the same effect – it helps you burn your fat and lose weight.
So, to answer your question, YES. Tea tree oil for cellulite elimination is possible. Now we know why many cosmetics and anti-cellulite products use tea tree oil for cellulite fighting. However, there are risks involved in using Tea tree oil so we suggest that you find alternatives if this oil does not suit you.
If you have already tried Tea Tree oil for your cellulite woes and failed, you can always try Joey Atlas Exercises. They don’t only help you lose weight and get rid of cellulite, but also improve your general well-being.
If you don’t have the luxury of time for a quick workout, you can always go for Cellinea Pills to get rid of cellulite.
I’m glad you mentioned the other things you can do and put tea tree oil in context. I’m not saying it can’t help cellulite, it probably can, but it wouldn’t be my first or only go to advice.
Yes, I agree, the tea tree oil can help reduce cellulite, but there are better ways of dealing with cellulite.
Thanks for the comment.