Tea tree oil is an essential oil that can be used for several purposes, including keeping skin, hair and nails healthy. Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the tea tree. The tea tree was named by eighteenth century sailors, who made tea that smelled like nutmeg from the leaves of the tree growing on the swampy southeast Australian coast. For years, people have used tea tree oil to help with skin ailments from acne to psoriasis.
Some of the many traditional uses for tea tree include healing:
- Acne
- Bacterial infections
- Chickenpox
- Cold sores
- Congestion and respiratory tract infections
- Earaches
- Fungal infections (especially Candida, jock itch, athlete’s foot and toenail fungus)
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Head lice
- MRSA
- Psoriasis
- Dry cuticles
- Itchy insect bites, sores and sunburns
- Boils from staph infections
And this list doesn’t even include the many household uses of tea tree oil that can replace store-bought products in your cabinets:
Anti-microbial laundry freshener
Insect repellant
Natural deodorant
Acne face wash
Removes foot order
Removes mold
Household cleaner
DIY Tea Tree Oil Recipes
Aromatically: Diffuse tea tree oil throughout your home using an oil diffuser. You can also directly inhale the oil by sniffing it right out of the bottle or applying some to your skin and clothes and smelling it that way, similar to a perfume.
Topically: You should always dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil in a 1:1 ratio before applying it directly to skin. Similarly to tea tree, coconut oil also has its own long list of benefits for skin and immunity, so these two together make an even better combination.
NOT for Internal Use: According to the National Poison Center, tea tree oil is known to be poisonous if swallowed. Tea tree oil should NOT be taken by mouth for any reason, even though some traditional uses include tea tree oil as a mouthwash, treatment for bad breath, and treatment of toothache and mouth ulcers. If using tea tree in your mouth, spit out the oil afterwards to prevent potential side effects like digestive issues, hives or dizziness.
Light, heat, exposure to air, and moisture all affect oil stability of essential oils, so keep your tree oil stored in dark, cool, dry conditions preferably in a glass container.
Homemade Melaleuca Lemon Household Cleaner
Most commercially sold cleaners are made with synthetic fragrances and harmful chemicals. This Homemade Melaleuca Lemon Household Cleaner is just as effective thanks to tea tree’s antimicrobial properties. It’s made with only 4 ingredients, is easy and fast to make, plus it will leave behind a naturally refreshing aroma.
Total Time: 2 minutes
Serves: 30-90INGREDIENTS:
8 oz water
4 oz distilled white vinegar
15 drops tea tree oil
15 drops lemon
Glass Cleaning Spray bottle
DIRECTIONS:
- Fill spray bottle with ingredients. Close bottle and shake to mix.
- Swirl/shake bottle before each spray.
Note: Citrus essentials oils are highly concentrated and are full of healthy acidic properties! Because of this, we recommend you use glass containers when storing them so they do not eat away any of the plastic.