Wondering How to Use Tea Tree Oil?
Friday, December 31, 2010 at 5:38AM
Tea tree oil is a powerful disinfectant and useful herbal remedy. Extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a native tree of New South Wales, it is a clear liquid, strongly aromatic, with an odor similar to that of eucalyptus. Tea tree oil is a good treatment for fungal infections of the skin (athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch), toenails or fingernails - conditions notoriously resistant to treatment, even by strong systemic antibiotics. Just paint the oil on affected areas two or three times a day. You can also apply it full strength to boils and other localized infections. A ten percent solution (about one and a half tablespoons to a cup of warm water) can be used as a mouthwash and on skin to rinse and clean infected wounds. This dilution can also be used as an effective vaginal douche for treatment of both yeast and Trichomonas infections (although some women may find it irritating). Tea tree oil is nontoxic and available in most health-food and herb stores - choose products that are 100 percent pure tea tree oil.
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Reader Comments (17)
We use Tea Tree oil all the time. For scratches, rashes and especially on infections of the skin. GREAT product!!!
can tea tree be used for psoriasis, or do you have any suggestions for that?
I add tea tree oil to jojoba oil for a scalp treatment. My hair gets conditioning while my itchy dry scalp heals.
AWESOME! Thanks for the help :D
I use it neet for cold sores.
25 drops of tea tree oil and 10 drops of lavender essential oil in about 2 ounces of Witch Hazel make a great daily facial cleanser. Just a bit on a cotton round and you are in business.
I use Tea Tree Oil Toothpaste. Took me a while to get use to the taste but it cleans and refreshes like crazy!
I have treated my daughter's ear infection two different times with about 1 tsp olive oil and a few drops of tea trea oil. I drop it in her ear and let it rest there for a few minutes, 3 or 4 times each day.
And i agree with the post about cold sores. I've gotten them my whole life and there is absolutely nothing that works better or faster at getting rid of them. Word of warning, though - avoid the temptation to apply it too often or it will be too aggressive and i find it peels off my outer layer of skin too quickly and i end up with a raw spot that takes a long time to go away (at least it's not a cold sore, though). The last few times i've gotten one, I've put a drop of tea tree oil (not diluted) directly on the cold sore no more than three times per day. I do this for only a few days, depending on how early i caught it and how aggressive that particular sore is.
by the way, do i need to clarify on the ear infection thing that i mix approximately 1 tsp olive oil with a few drops of tea tree but i don't put that entire amount in her ear at once, obviously! I mix up a batch and take a small dropper and add only a few drops to her ear at a time and one batch will last a few days. ...didn't want anyone to pour an entire tsp+ into their child's ear!
I dilute tea tree oil with witch hazel and spray under my breasts after showering, especially in the summer. I also spray the mix on the underwire portion of my bra and let air dry. Helps prevent itchiness.
I use tea tree oil for may things. Diluted with water or witch hazel works well on acne, psoriasis, and cuts. It is very strong and can burn, and has a strong smell. Avoid nasal area and eyes! I have treated weeping wounds (an allergic reaction to grass seed) between my dogs toes with a dilution of tea tree oil and witch hazel. Also find that if I add just a little to my Dr. Bronner's liquid soap and water solution it makes a great disinfecting cleaner for counter tops, showers and toilets.
I put about 10 drops in with the detergent in the washing machine. I'd heard about using it to combat recurrences of yeast infections that were re-transferred from underwear, so decided to try it to stop recurrences of jock itch that I'd had for years. It worked, and I've been itch-free for over a decade.
A few drops in hot water to steam over, takes care of my asthma, sinus infections, stubborn cough etc.
i have used it on my dog also but have read that it can be dangerous to use with cats. So, if you are thinking of using it on your cat, please do ample research first!
Does it work for acne?
Tea tree oil is amazing! I have mixed a few drops to my laundry when me or my family are sick, and it helps kill germs. I have heard it also helps with psoriasis.