The Use of Tea Tree Oil as a Herbal Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail is a very common condition in which the toenail gets infected by fungus. It affects millions of people. Most fungal infection is caused by dermatophytes. Dermatophytes thrive in dark and damp conditions (as in the case of toenails) and live on the dead skin and hair of the skin.

The fungus that causes toenail fungal infection is called tinea corporis. It affects the skin around and under the toenail. After fungus has established itself it may spread to the cuticle and even the nail-bed. The infection may cause the nail to get thicker and cause its discoloration. Though it usually does not, it may at times cause severe pain, preventing the infected person from wearing shoes and walking comfortably.

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Tea tree oil has been found to be a great remedy for curing toe-nail fungus. This oil is from the tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, which can be found in abundance in Australia. Tea tree oil has been used for many years by native Australians, but new research has brought this age-old medicine renewed interest. Tea tree oil has become one of the most widely used essential oils to treat toenail fungus, among other illnesses.

The chemical terpenoids and cineole, found in tea tree oil are the compounds that lend to the oil its medicinal property. Both of these are found to possess significant anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Many bacteria and fungus have grown resistant to the commercially available antibiotics. However, it has been found that tree tea oil is extremely effective in killing bacteria and fungus when it is applied to the infected area.

Tea tree oil has been found to be immensely effective in treating Athlete’s foot which is a common fungal infection afflicting athletes and also regular users of gymnasiums. Its efficacy has also been proven in the treatment of insect bites, sunburn and other skin conditions that cause irritation and itching. In cases of oral candidiasis (fungal infection of the mouth), use of tea tree oil in a gargling solution has been shown to have effective results. Dentists have also noted that the use of tea tree oil in the mouth before a surgical procedure in the mouth may ease the pain after the surgery.

As a solo-ingredient, benefits of tea tree oil have enumerated above. It can also be used in conjunction with other essential oils. This is particularly useful in the treatment of fungal infection of toenails in its later stages. In the initial stages, tea tree oil can be used to treat this infection, but in later stages it is more potent if combined with olive oil, lavender oil, apple cider, vinegar etc. Combining these oils is easy and can be done at home by simply dipping a cotton ball in the various oils and then applied to the infected areas. Once applied, just make sure that the infected area should be dried after a while.

"Health is not simply the absence of sickness !"
Hannah Green

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