Tea Tree Oil is one of the most popular and widely used essential oils, and with good reason. It is probably the first essential oil I ever bought, long before I understood the power of essential oils. Because of it's antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral and anticeptic properties you can find it in both skin care and home cleaning products. It also can be used for a number of therapeutic health benefits. This is one of my must-haves for my natural first aid kit and natural cleaning kit.
Tea Tree oil comes from the leaves of the melaleuca alternifolia plant native to New South Wales, Australia. It has a strong spicy, camphor odor and is usually pale yellow or clear. It has long been used as a tradional medicine by the indigenous Bundjalung people of Australia.
Uses and benefits in skincare:
- Add a few drops to your shampoo to help fight dandruff
- Tea tree oil is frequently used to treat acne and can be used directly or added to your moisturizer
- Some forms of nail disease can be treated with regular application of tea tree oil. Add a few drops to a carrier oil and apply with a cotton swab.
Uses and benefits for health and wound care:
- Effective against Staph & MRSA and may be more effective than antibiotics against CA-MRSA
- May be more effective than permethrin in fighting head lice
- Can be applied topically without blending with a carrier oil to bug bites, cuts & scrapes
- Can be applied topically to treat athletes foot
- Can be used to treat thrush
- Vaginitis & candida
- Can be used safely in toothpaste because it isn't swallowed but avoid in homemade mouthwashes
- Can be used in sitz baths
- Said to stimulate the immune system
- Can be used to treat colds, coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis & flu
- Can be used in a diffuser to disinfect the air and help with an energizing effect on the mind, relieve nervous exhaustion and mild depression
- Because of it's effectiveness against Staph, MRSA, viruses and bacteria, it's an excellent addition to your home cleaning products
- Add a few drops to a spray bottle with a 50:50 ratio of water & vinegar
- Add a few drops to your laundry when someone in the household has been sick
- Add a few drops to laundry if someone in your household has candida (yeast infection), genitle warts or other vaginal yeast or bacterial infection to keep the condition from spreading. Also spray laundry baskets with the above mentioned spray.
Cautions:
Like many essential oils, tea tree is very potent and may cause irritation for some. Do not use on deep wounds, near the eyes, ears, nose. Never take internally. It is considered child safe, but always use essential oils with caution with children.
Several years ago there was a study that claimed tea tree oil and lavendar lead to enlarged breast tissue in boys. This study was conducted on only 3 boys, only 1 of which used tea tree oil. It has largely been discredited for poor methodology.
Tea tree oil can cause hearing loss in animals when used undiluted. High concentrations applied externally to animals, especially cats, can lead to toxicity, including death when ingested during grooming.
Keep tea tree oil, and all essential oils out of the reach of children and pets. Consult a medical professional or lactation consultant if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Resources:
Simplers Botanical Company, Aromatherapy Guide to Essential Oils
Miessence Essential Oils Guide
Therapeutic Essential Oil Guide: Singles & Synergies
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, herbalist or aromatherapist. This information is gathered from my own research and shared with you for educational purposes. This information is not intended to cure or prevent any diseases. If you have any health concerns please consult with your personal medical professional before making any decisions.
Arina Gibson
said on October 24, 2011
Bryce Vasquez
said on December 20, 2011
Danika Carter @Your Organic Life
said on December 21, 2011