How We Make Tea Tree Oil Safe for Your Pet
Melaleuca alternifolia.
Tea tree oil is a therapeutic essential oil that comes from steaming the leaves of the Australian tea tree, melaleuca alternifolia. A common misconception about tea tree oil is that it is toxic for humans and animals. Tea tree oil is safe to use when it is diluted to a low concentration and can even provide several benefits. HoneyCure contains less than 2% concentration of tea tree oil which makes it non-toxic to your pet. In fact, tea tree oil and Manuka honey together provide unique benefits to your pet’s ability to heal!
The tea tree can be found throughout Australia, but especially in swampy areas and along streams. The indigenous Bundjalung people of Australia are believed to be the first to use tea tree oil for medicinal purposes. They would crush the leaves to make a paste to treat minor wounds and insect bites, inhale the oil to treat coughs and colds, and make tea for sore throats. It was not until the 1700s that tea tree oil started to be introduced into Western medicine. Now, tea tree oil is known to have properties of a natural antiseptic. It is a common ingredient used in hair care, body lotion, pet care, skincare, and more.
Inside tea tree oil, terpenes are a chemical that makes the oil effective against bacteria and fungi. They have many benefits, but in their concentrated form, terpenes are what can make pure tea tree oil toxic. In mild doses, symptoms include an upset stomach, drooling, and weakness. Therefore, it is important to us that we dilute the tea tree oil before combining it with HoneyCure; we want to provide your pets with the best wound assistance while also making it safe for use, so you don't have to worry.
HoneyCure incorporates tea tree oil because of its antibacterial properties, anti-inflammatory properties, and especially for how it inhibits fungi and yeast. Tea tree oil can help soothe irritated, swollen, or inflamed skin. This is very beneficial to wound healing; but, to make the oil safe for use, it must be diluted with the correct carrier oil. Carrier oils dilute essential oils and “carry” them to the skin. They help to moisturize the skin and do not interfere with the therapeutic properties of essential oils. Usually, carrier oils are vegetable oils like coconut oil or avocado oil. Adding tea tree oil to honey does not guarantee that it will be diluted unless the correct carrier oil is present. So, we make sure to dilute the tea tree oil before we produce HoneyCure! When making a product with essential oil, choosing the correct carrier oil is important because each one has different properties.
In HoneyCure, the tea tree oil is diluted with Jojoba oil. This carrier oil is produced in the seed of the Jojoba, or Simmondsia Chinensis. It is known for its moisturizing properties and how easily it can absorb into the skin. Manuka honey works specifically with Jojoba oil and acts as a soothing agent to reduce pain and irritation as the wound heals. With the right amount of carrier oil to tea tree oil ratio, it ensures that the concentration of tea tree oil within HoneyCure is less than 2%.
When producing HoneyCure, we follow dilution guidelines to protect your animal from intoxication. It is important to be careful when using pure tea tree oil. HoneyCure uses a small concentration of tea tree oil, so it is safe and even beneficial for dogs, cats, and horses!
