Tea Tree Oil
A Brief History Of Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil comes from the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree. It is believed that the Aborigines of Australia have been using the leaves of the indigenous Malaleuca Tree (whose leaves are used to make tea tree oil) in their medications for centuries. They inhaled the oils from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds, sprinkled crushed leaves on their wounds and used an infusion of soaked leaves to treat sore throats or skin ailments.
Melaleuca Alternifolia tree
Close up of the leaves
Melaleuca Alternifolia tree in bloom.
*Note these are not my picture as I have never seen this tree in person.
Use of the oil itself, as opposed to the un-extracted plant material, did not become common practice until researcher Arthur Penfold published the first reports of its antimicrobial activity in a series of papers in the 1920s and 1930s. In evaluating the antimicrobial activity, he found that tea tree oil was 11 times more active than
phenol.1
*Do NOT ingest it orally.
*Editor’s Note: This article does not replace medical advice.
I have gathered what I feel are some of the most common uses for Tea Tree oil. Tea tree oil along with coconut oil are my "go to" cure alls. This is based off of my own personal experience and what works best for my family.
- Abrasions & Minor Cuts: After cleaning the area, apply a few drops of the oil directly. If a bandage is needed, put a few drops of oil on a cotton ball, then lay it face down on the wound and apply bandage.
- Acne: Dab a very small amount on acne breakouts.
- Air Freshener: Use an essential oil diffuser and it will freshen the room
- Allergies: Use topically by massaging into the chest, abdomen or the reflex points of the feet.
- Arthritis: To help reduce pain associated with the swelling of arthritis, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of almond oil or other carrier oil.
- Asthma: Add a few drops of oil to a pan of water and heat on stove. When cooling, drape a towel over head and breath in for a few minutes.
- Athletes Foot: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp of coconut oil or other carrier oil such as almond oil and massage on feet and between toes daily.
- Bacterial Infections: Use topically, either massaging into the reflex points of the feet, adding several drops to a bath or cautiously applying over an infected site.
- Bad Breath: Rinse with 1 ounce water and 1 drop oil. Do not swallow!
- Canker Sores: Apply a drop or two of oil directly to infected area with a Q tip, 2 times daily. Also, rinse as directed for bad breath.
- Cold Sores: Apply a drop or two of oil directly to the sore with a Q tip. Re-apply 2 – 3 times daily
- Coughs: Use as directed for bronchial infections. Also use in an essential oil diffuser to help clean the air.
- Dandruff: Add 20 – 30 drops oil to any shampoo. Apply a few drops to scalp and massage after washing. You can also make a paste with baking soda, coconut oil and tea tree oil and massage it into scalp and let sit for a few min before rinsing.
- Gum Disease: Create a mouthwash with purified water, 1 drop of peppermint oil and 1 drop of tea tree oil.
- Head Lice: Add 20 drops of oil to shampoo. Massage into scalp and hair, leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat daily, until bugs and eggs are gone.
- Homemade Mouthwash: Make a simple mouthwash with purified water and tea tree oil.
- Household Cleaning: Can be used aromatically or added to homemade cleaners to kill germs and prevent the spread of colds and flus. You can make a general tea tree cleaner by combining tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend and use for household cleaning tasks. This is especially good in the bathroom and in toilets. Or make a powder cleaner by using baking soda mixed with a few drops of tea tree oil in it and scrub as you would with a store bought cleaner.
- Infected Wounds: Dilute a few drops of tea tree with about 1 cup of water and rinse the infected area 1-2 times a day, as needed.
- Insect Repellant: Add 15 drops to a quart of water and use as an effective insect repellent.
- Laundry Helper: Add 1/2 teaspoon tea tree oil to your laundry for towels and other fabric prone to getting moldy.
- Nail Fungus: Add 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to nail and the surrounding tissue. Allow to dry completely on hands before touching anything. Repeat morning and night for a week.
- Pest Control: Household ants and other pests dislike Tea Tree Oil, so a few drops put at the point of entry will deter them. Wipe cupboards out with an oil and water solution to keep ants away.
- Ringworm: Apply a drop or two of oil undiluted, repeat 2 times daily. Can also mix 1 drop of tea tree oil with 1 drop of lavender oil for added benefit.
- Sore muscles: Fill your bathtub with warm water. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water to relax tight muscles.
- Warts: Apply undiluted directly to wart. Use morning and
night, until wart begins to disappear. Dilute if necessary for sensitive
skin.
