Benefits of tea tree oil for the common cold

Tea tree oil is a concentrated product obtained by steam distillation from fresh melaleuca leaves. The drug has an antiseptic, bactericidal and antiviral effect due to the presence of 100 terpene derivatives in its composition. Due to its pronounced therapeutic properties, the pharmaceutical agent is widely used in the treatment of colds, in particular rhinitis, laryngopharyngitis, tonsillitis, etc.

By instilling tea tree oil in the nose, you can accelerate the regression of catarrhal processes in the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx.

The active components of the agent contribute to the destruction of pathogens in the foci of inflammation, which leads to an increase in local immunity. The systematic use of the drug contributes to the relief of rhinitis symptoms and a speedy recovery.

Description of the drug

Parifolia melaleuca oil is a broad-spectrum anti-cold remedy. It contains substances that have a pronounced regenerating, bacteriostatic and anti-inflammatory effect on the ciliated epithelium. Among the most important components of the remedy:

• sabinen;
• terpineols;
• pinen;
• cineole;
• terpinene;
• limonel.

The antibacterial effect of the drug is due to the presence of lipophilic terpineols in its composition. On contact with diseased tissues, the isomers penetrate into the pathogenic bacteria, which leads to the destruction of their cellular structures. Essential oil helps to kill most gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, which include:

• staphylococci; colibacillus;
• yeast-like fungi;
• pneumococci;
• Proteus;
• streptococci.

The drug is widely used by official and alternative medicine as an effective anti-cold remedy. A natural antiseptic helps to destroy pathogens in mucous membranes, due to which extracts from melaleuca are used in dentistry, otolaryngology, gynecology, etc.

Pharmacological properties

An effective antiviral agent can be used to relieve ARVI symptoms, including acute rhinitis. Essential oil promotes perspiration, due to which metabolites of pathogenic agents are excreted from the body. This helps to increase local immunity and epithelialization of the affected tissues.

The drug has the following therapeutic properties:

• bacteriostatic - inhibits the development of pathogenic microbes, which leads to a decrease in the number of pathogens in the lesions;
• antiviral - destroys rhinoviruses that contribute to the development of inflammatory reactions in the nasopharyngeal mucosa;
• wound healing - accelerates cellular metabolism, due to which epithelialization of damaged areas of ciliated epithelium occurs;
• anti-inflammatory - interferes with the synthesis of inflammatory mediators that provoke the appearance of edema in the tissues;
• immunomodulatory - strengthens local immunity, thereby increasing tissue reactivity;
• analgesic - reduces the sensitivity of pain receptors, which helps to eliminate discomfort.

Important! It is undesirable to use the oil as nasal drops for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Inhalation

How to use tea tree oil for a cold? To eliminate acute rhinitis, experts recommend inhalation. Warming up the nasopharynx with the subsequent penetration of the drug components into the nasal mucosa contributes to the regression of inflammation. Due to this, tissue edema is eliminated, as a result of which nasal breathing is facilitated.

Recipes for cough inhalations:

1. mix 2 liters of hot water with 4 drops of the drug and 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil;
2. add 2 drops of tea tree and anise essential oil to 1 liter of mineral water;
3. in 1.5 liters of hot water add 1 tbsp. l. honey, 1 drop of sage ether and 2 drops of tea tree oil.

The duration of the procedure should not exceed 10 minutes.

Hot inhalation can be performed no more than 3 times a day in the absence of high fever. Hyperthermia most often signals the active development of inflammatory processes in the body, provoked by bacteria. Warming up the mucous membrane can contribute to the active development of pathogens, which is fraught with inflammation of the maxillary sinuses.

Nasal drops

Essential oil has a high concentration of active substances, therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor before using the product. Pediatricians do not recommend using the drug as nasal drops for the treatment of children under the age of 2-3 years. Limitations are mainly associated with hypersensitivity of the mucous membranes in preschool children, which can cause the development of an allergic reaction.

For the treatment of adults, tea tree oil is diluted with base oils for colds to reduce the likelihood of adverse reactions. To prepare nasal drops, you can use the following recipe:

• Mix 2 drops of tea tree, lavender and medicinal chamomile essential oils;
• add 20 ml of St. John's wort oil to the emulsion;
• instill 2 drops of the warmed product in each nostril 3 times a day.

It is possible to eliminate puffiness in the nasal passages with the help of cotton turundas dipped in the prepared solution. However, experts warn that in the presence of ulcers and mechanical damage to the mucous membrane, the drug cannot be used.

Rinsing the nose

A runny nose is always accompanied by inflammation of the ciliated epithelium lining the surface of the nasopharynx. Pathological changes in the state of tissues lead to hypersecretion of mucus, which entails blockage of the nasal passages. To speed up the process of evacuation of a viscous secretion, it is advisable to rinse for 4-5 days. You can speed up the passage of mucus using the following solution:

1. mix 100 ml of boiled water with 5 drops of essential oil;
2. heat the solution to 38 degrees;
3. use a syringe to flush the nasal passages at least three times a day.

Important! Do not tilt your head back while rinsing your nose. This can cause fluid to enter the Eustachian tube.

It should be noted that the drug has a symptomatic effect and is not able to eliminate the cause of the common cold. Therefore, in the treatment of colds, essential oils are used only as an adjunct to the main treatment regimen.

Contraindications

A concentrated preparation is capable of causing side reactions, which is due to the presence of a large number of active components in its composition. Otolaryngologists do not recommend using tea tree oil for rhinitis with:

• vasomotor rhinitis;
• gestation;
• acute sinusitis;
• damage to the mucous membrane;
• allergy tendencies;
• lactation.

To eliminate the likelihood of adverse reactions, a simple allergy test should be performed before using the drug. To do this, apply a small amount of the emulsion on a handkerchief and inhale the vapor of the essential oil for 2-3 hours. In the absence of burning and redness in the nasal mucosa, you can use the agent as directed.