The primary ingredient of tea tree shampoo is the tea tree essential oil. According to research by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon Sate University, the oil is extracted from a shrub native to Australia and New Zealand. When concentrated, it has a power antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Those reasons are why many salon shampoos and conditioners contain tea tree oils.
Dandruff
Seborrheic dermatitis, which in its mildest form is common dandruff, is the result of scalp inflammation. According to the National Institutes of Health, the scalp secretes extra skin oils, creating a fungal yeast infection on the surface. The result is flaking and scaling of the scalp. Tea tree oil's anti-fungal properties kills off the infection. Australian researchers support this claim with a 2002 study showing that shampoo with a 5 percent concentration of tea tree oil "appears to be effective" in treating dandruff.
Head Lice Treatment
Head lice are a common ailment found in school-age children. Sharing headwear or clothes, or simply coming in contact with another child's head can share the insect. Research at Ireland's Trinity College proves tea tree oil's effectiveness as a lice treatment. Research shows that shampoo with tea tree oil kills the lice by robbing it of essential enzymes necessary for its life. The study concluded that the effectiveness of tea tree shampoo was not unlike that of traditional lice treatments.
Powerful Hair Cleaner
Tea tree-based shampoos are the most powerful nonmedicated haircare products on the market. Everyday users find that the oil cleanses the scalp and hair, ridding it of impurities which could lead to irritations or dryness. Research at Arizona State University shows that by cleaning dead skin cells from the scalp, the body can promote the growth of new, healthier hair.
References
- Linus Pawling Institute: Tea Trees and Their Therapeutic Properties
- MedlinePlus: Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: Treatment of Dandruff
- The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology: Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase by Tea Tree Oil
- International Aromatherapy and Herb Association: The Benefits of Tea Tree
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