Tea tree oil, distilled from the native Australian tea tree, is harmful if ingested. However, as a topical compound, there are a number of ailments it can help to treat and certainly has its place in any natural medicine cabinet. Below are ten of the great uses for tea tree oil.
Antiseptic
Tea tree oil is an effective antiseptic due to the presence of compounds called terpenes, one of the active ingredients. It is great for eliminating common bacterial strains and can treat various skin ailments like burns, blisters or minor wounds.
Acne Treatment
The turpenes in tea tree oil also make it a wonderful treatment for acne breakouts, because its natural antimicrobial properties will kill off the bacteria that is the root cause of acne problems. It can be applied in a gel and is gentler to the skin than many over the counter products.
Fungal Treatment
Tea tree oil is also a natural anti-fungal, and application of it can help to cure even advanced fungal infections of the nail bed. Apply the oil to the nail bed twice a day; this will help with symptoms and also promote healing of the affected tissues.
Mouth Rinse
For those who have a tendency towards bacterial or fungal mouth infections, tea tree oil can be diluted with water and used as a mouth rinse or put into toothpaste. It is important to never swallow it, however, as it is toxic if ingested.
Dandruff Cure
This oil is gentler treatment for dandruff and dry scalp than many over-the-counter treatments, but it is just as effective. You can add the oil to the shampoo yourself or buy it at the store with tea tree oil already added.
Sore Throat Remedy
If you are suffering from a sore throat, add 3-4 drops of tea tree oil to make your own gargle solution; this can be gargled with two times a day, but again, remember not to swallow the solution: spit it out instead when you are done.
Lice Repellent
If mixed with peppermint out, tea tree oil is a well-known natural treatment for lice infestation in children and will not only repel future invaders but will also eliminated the lice that are already there. This is a much gentler treatment than many commercial products.
Bite/Sting Treatment
If you have been outside and have come in with mosquito, tick or other insect bites, try a directly application of the tea tree oil. It can help take away the redness, swelling and itching that make insect bites so uncomfortable.
Ringworm Remedy
Due to its anti-fungal properties, tea tree oil is also a great treatment for the fungal infection ringworm and also to prevent it from spreading further. A direct application of the oil to the affected area of skin will quickly heal it.
Household Disinfectant
Add 4 ounces of vinegar and 10 drops of tea tree oil to a quart-sized spray bottle and spritz it all over the house if you want to keep your home naturally clean and disinfected. You can even use it on glass surfaces where it will leave no streaks.
So consider tea tree oil as part of your natural medicine cabinet. Its uses for many common ailments is proven effective and is less expensive than many commercial products.
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