Oil it up - Tea Tree Oil

This popular oil has been used for everything from clearing up skin issues to cleaning bathrooms. But what exactly is it, and why has it been called "a medicine cabinet in a bottle"?

Tea tree oil is a steam distilled oil extracted from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant (Narrow-leaved Tea-tree), native to Australia and has a camphor-like smell. It is known to fight bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It also stimulates the immune system.

A dab of this potent essential oil can be used to treat acne or stubborn pimples, apply some to your cuts and burns to help with the healing process, a few drops in your bath can help you fight cold and flu symptoms, add it to your vaporizer for aromatherapy, to treat sinusitis and chest congestions. Awesome right?! But what does this have to do with hair? I'm glad you asked.

Oil it Up - The Essentials { Peppermint Oil}

There are a myriad of essential oils out there with a great many benefits. Some of the more popular ones I've encountered include rosemary, lemon, lavender, cedarwood, sage, peppermint, tea tree and orange. But what exactly is it that makes these oils so 'essential'?

Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, or aetherolea, or simply as the "oil of" the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of sage. An oil is "essential" in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. It is very potent and is rarely used by itself for any purpose.

They are used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps and other beauty products, for flavoring food and drink, and for adding a fresh scent to household cleaning products.

In this series I will refrain from addressing all these oils. Rather, I'll present the ones I've tried and loved. First up,

Peppermint Oil

For a cooling, cleansing treatment for your hair and scalp, try peppermint essential oil.

What is it?