Twenty Uses For Tea Tree Oil

Photo courtesy: ilsentiero

Tree tree oil is a "must-have" in my organic medicine chest. It sits there right next to my lavender oil and my comfrey gel. This oil is often called a “medicine cabinet in a bottle” and is effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses and stimulates the immune system. It is also environmentally friendly.

Tea tree oil is the essential oil steam distilled from the Australian plant Melaleuca alternifolia (unique to Australia and native to Northern New South Wales). Tea tree oil is usually clear to very pale golden in color and it exudes a fresh, camphor-like scent.

Tea tree oil should come in dark glass bottle with a dropper. The oil may seem expensive in comparison to the size of the vial; but, it is usually used by the drop. If the bottle is not dark glass, it can allow sunlight into the bottle and dilute the potency of the oil.

This oil is NOT to be taken internally. This oil is for external use only.

20 Great Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil

For Health

1. Use a dab to treat acne.
2. An anti-fungal for treating Athlete’s Foot, eczema, various yeast infections, etc.
3. An antiseptic to be used on cuts and burns.
4. An anti-viral: it may lessen the symptoms of colds and flu. Try using a few drops in the bath.
5. Add to a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion.
6. Add a small amount to shampoo to destroy head lice.
7. A small amount added to your bath can help with persistent body odor.
8. Treating sinus infection. Add a few drops to a bowl of hot water, lean over bowl, cover head with a towel and inhale deeply.
9. For dandruff and dry scalp. Choices are: tea tree oil shampoo, add a few drops of oil to your own shampoo, or massage a few drops of oil into your scalp before shampooing.
10. In the form of aromatherapy, tea tree oil is used to treat colds, persistent coughs, acne, toothaches, and sunburn.

For Cleaning

11. To create an all-purpose cleaner, combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.
12. Another version would be 14 ounces of water with 1 ounce of Murphy’s oil soap and 10 drops of tea tree oil.
13. Mix the above solution with kosher salt to scrub bathtub and bathroom tiles.
14. Add a few drops to dishwasher dispenser, then fill with a green dishwashing soap.
15. A few drops added to each load of laundry leave your clothes smelling cleaner.
16. Control mold with a tea tree oil/water spray.
17. Remove mustiness with that same tea tree oil/water spray. Gently spray items with must odours and leave for a few days. Musty and tea tree oil smell will be gone and item will smell fresh.
18. To keep germs at bay, spray it on high chairs, car seats, and other high traffic spots.
19. 15 drops in a quart of water can be an effective insect repellent.
20. Be sure to take some with you when hiking and camping to put directly on insect bites or blisters.