If you rather have a home remedy instead of over-the-counter or prescription antifungal medication, you might want to try the natural antifungal tea tree oil instead. This article will explain what are the uses of tea tree essential oil and how it can benefit you.
Tea tree oil is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca tree by steam distillation. The tree grows in Australia and tea tree leaves have been used by the Aboriginals for centuries.
It is hailed for its antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and antiviral properties, as well as tissue regenerative, making it a favorite among naturopaths and alternative health professionals. Tea tree oil’s immune-building properties have 12 times the antiseptic power of phenol.
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Table of contents
- 1 The many uses explained
- 1.1 Acne
- 1.2 Athlete’s foot and toe fungus
- 1.3 Burns and sunburn
- 1.4 Candida and vaginal infections
- 1.5 Chickenpox
- 1.6 Colds, flu, sore throat
- 1.7 Contact dermatitis – allergic reactions
- 1.8 Cuts, scrapes, and minor wounds
- 1.9 Dandruff, psoriasis, and other scalp/hair related dryness and issues
- 1.10 Deodorant
- 1.11 Earache
- 1.12 Herpes Simplex and Staph infections
- 1.13 Lice
- 2 Tea Tree Oil Isn’t Safe for Everyone
- 3 What are the uses of Tea Tree essential oil?
The many uses explained
Acne
Acne and blemishes can be touched with a single drop of pure oil. I would try it on undamaged skin first, as some people develop an allergic reaction.
Athlete’s foot and toe fungus
Like coconut oil, tea tree oil is excellent for treating athlete’s foot and swimmers’ eczema. You can even mix coconut oil and tea tree oil. Wash your hands after applying the oil to the areas, fungus is contagious.
Related: Why is Coconut Oil good for your Skin, Hair and Body?
Burns and sunburn
Tea tree oil is blissful for burns and sunburns. You can use it pure or mix it with aloe vera gel.
Candida and vaginal infections
Dilute tea tree oil with coconut oil and put it on a tampon you keep in overnight. Try it first on a part of your skin to find out if you’re not allergic to tea tree oil. Most people aren’t, but better safe than sorry.
Chickenpox
Mix ½ cup of Coconut oil and 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil to apply on the rashes. Try a small part first.
Colds, flu, sore throat
Diffuse tea tree oil into the air or take a bath with some drops of oil in the water. If you have a fever you can mix a carrier oil like coconut, almond or olive oil with tea tree oil, and gently massage your neck and shoulders, and your forehead with it.
Contact dermatitis – allergic reactions
It is striking that tea tree oil can cause allergic reactions in some people, while for others it helps against allergic reactions to other products. It is important – and that applies to all essential oils – to carefully try the oil first.
Cuts, scrapes, and minor wounds
Because of its antiseptic properties, tea tree oil is one of the home remedies for treating cuts, scrapes, and minor wounds.
Related: 17 Natural Remedies for Scrapes, Bruises, and Minor Wounds
Shampoos are for sale that contain 5% tea tree oil. Pay attention to the other ingredients, because they can cause dandruff! It is better to buy natural shampoo in the ecostore and add the oil yourself. You can even make the entire shampoo, to be really sure which ingredients it contains.
Related: Why do you have a Soap Allergy? What are Promising Solutions?
Deodorant
You can use tea tree oil as a deodorant in 2 ways: pat a few drops in your armpit and then add your own deodorant. Or add a few drops of oil to water and put it in a spray bottle.
Earache
Put a few drops in your ear and rest on your side for a couple of minutes. Then turn your head to let the oil run out. Another method is to dilute a few drops with olive oil.
Herpes Simplex and Staph infections
The International Journal of Dermatology reports that tea tree oil has the ability to kill the herpes simplex virus. Other studies show the same effect for staph infections.
Lice
Mix the tea tree oil with either a shampoo or carrier oil, like olive oil. Rub it into the hair and let it sit for half an hour.
Tea Tree Oil Isn’t Safe for Everyone
Tea tree oil is known to cause allergic reactions in some people. As said above it is always best to first try to apply the oil on a small part of the skin. Any allergic reactions include mild contact dermatitis to severe blistering rashes.
A few smaller studies have also linked tea tree oil to changing hormone levels, so if your hormones are sensitive or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the oil should be avoided. Plus, it’s been linked to breast enlargement in boys, so some caution is appropriate there too.
Tea tree oil can be found in mouthwash and toothpaste, yet, these products should only be used by adults. It is better not to use it for children under 6 years old and use the oil in a larger dilution for children over 6 years old.
Adults can take it by adding a drop of oil to a teaspoon of honey or in a tall glass of rice or almond milk. Make sure to buy a good quality tea tree essential oil that is organic and non-GMO.
Related: Natural Organic Essential Oils and How to Use Them
What are the uses of Tea Tree essential oil?
In summary, tea tree essential oil is applicable to all minor bacterial, fungal, and viral inconveniences You can dilute tea tree oil with water or aloe vera gel, as well as any carrier oil like coconut, almond, or olive oil.
Tea tree oil is commonly made into a tincture or added to inactive ingredients before applying directly to the skin. For example, a common dose is 5-10% tea tree oil in gel or shampoo form.
Pure tea tree oil is often used to treat fungal nail or skin infections and as an antiseptic or antibacterial treatment.
Does Tea Tree oil lighten my skin?
Tea tree oil removes toxins and prevents the clogging that contributes to acne outbreaks and penetrates deep into the skin. This process of disinfection will help lighten scarred areas of the skin at times as well. You can also apply Calendula ointment on dark spots on your skin.
Related: Yellow Foods that Boost your Immune System Naturally
How many times should I use tea tree oil a day?
The usual recommendation is to use tea tree oil once or twice a day.
Tea tree oil is one of the wonderful things nature has given us. However, it isn’t to be taken lightly. Use it as it’s intended, speak with a physician if you have questions or concerns, and enjoy the benefits of this wonderful and powerful oil.
Have you ever used tea tree oil? What are your experiences? Let us know in the comment box below.
There are a lot of magnificent benefits from Tea tree essential oil from what I’ve read in your Article and from what I have picked up on other people’s words. I can see that it is a good oil that is healthy and good for our society and more people should start using essential oils because they are very helpful and better than the toxic stuff we normally use.
Thank you for this informative article!
I love tea tree oil so much and I agree with you this oil is not for everyone because it can cause serious allergic reactions!
I love using it to treat my acne but I always make sure to mix it with coconut oil or argan oil before applying it to my face because if I apply it alone it will turn my face red!
And it also helped me get rid of my nose piercing bump!
I really love this magic oil!
I had never heard of argan oil, Mariem, thanks for teaching me something new! 🙂 I have looked it up on Wikipedia and see that it’s another plant-based oil that is used in northern Africa a lot. Great! It shouldn’t be too hard to buy it somewhere in Spain, I guess.
Yes, tea tree oil is wondrous as well. Nature has so many benefits for us and it is so much better than all the artificial stuff that is put on the market.
Thanks for your reaction and take care.
Hi Hannie, fascinating article, and I agree with you. I have used it too for different cases, but I have never tried it as a Deodorant. That is a fantastic idea, and I will try if it works for us. I use Neem oil for antifungal properties, but tea oil is as excellent as Neem oil. Mother Nature is amazing how she is caring for us, providing such lavish plants. I didn’t even know that people could react allergic to tea oil, but of course, we are all different. For healthy shiny hair, it works perfectly, and especially if you have dandruff. I confirm what you are saying. Essential oils are excellent for our skin, and it is so easy to make healthy cosmetics and shampoos. Great article, Hannie!
Thanks, Sylvia, and I agree with you, the wonders of nature are amazing. I am also in awe of these ancient people that discovered the benefits of plants. How did people do that? And then those complicated processes of steam and extracting the oils from the plants.
We can be allergic to all essential oils but it seems tea tree oil is getting this reaction more than average. It’s always good to be careful. 🙂
Take care.
I used tea tree oil for my acne, I had no idea it had so many uses. I’m thinking of trying a shampoo with it, I have insane dandruff and no shampoo managed to stop or at least cut it down a notch.
I remember when my husband had dandruff, he used a special brand that was advertised specifically against dandruff. It turned out it made matters worse, plus his hair began to fall out. Most commercial shampoos have too many toxic parts to make them healthy.
So you are very right to try controlling your dandruff with tea tree essential oil. I would recommend a homemade shampoo or conditioner that also contains coconut oil.
Thanks for your comment, Claire, and I hope you get your hair problem solved. Let me know!