Tea tree oil – some people swear by its medicinal benefits while others have never heard of it…
Either way, nobody can deny that it’s green, sustainable and healthy. There are MANY tea tree oil uses, and it’s one of the most used essential oils in the world.
Also called Melaleuca alternifoliais, this oil is being used for better health, cleaning and so much more. You’ll find that a large percentage of tea tree oil is consumed in Australia, and it’s not because the Australians like it more than everybody else.
It’s because the plants that produce the oil are native to Australia. You won’t find these plants growing anywhere else in the world, so that makes them kind of special.
Note: You must never ingest the oil – it’s only to be used as a topical solution.
Some quick benefits of the oil; over time, it has gained notoriety as being an effective, multipurpose remedy. From removing warts to washing makeup off, there is no doubt that it’s useful.
Several clinical studies have been performed, which show tea tree oil can be used to treat genital infections, gingivitis, lice, dandruff and athlete’s foot – for starters. Let’s take a deep dive into the MANY uses of tea tree oil.
Additional note: In this article, ‘TTO’ is short for ‘tea tree oil’.
The Complete List
1.) Clear your sore throat. The oil helps with inflammation of the mucous membranes, and these are the membranes that contribute to the pain caused by a sore throat.
Add one drop of the oil to a glass of warm water. Swish it around in your mouth and gargle. You should continue this regimen until the sore throat is gone. As a bonus tip, add two teaspoons of salt, which will help to relieve discomfort and pressure.
2.) Fight a head cold. When a simple cold develops into a full-blown head cold, you need something to fight back with. Add about 8 drops of the oil to a bowl of water that has been freshly boiled. Hover your face over the bowl and put a towel over your head and the bowl. Breathe in the steam for about 10 minutes two times per day.
3.) Make a homemade hand sanitizer. Just mix about 30 drops of tea tree oil with 10 drops of clove oil, lavender oil and 8 ounces of aloe Vera gel. You can mix everything together in a small bowl and pour it into a container.
4.) Clean minor cuts and abrasions. Once you’ve cleaned the affected area, place a few drops of the oil directly onto the wound. If you need to place a bandage onto the wound, just dab a cotton ball in the oil and place it over the cut or abrasion. Place the bandage on top, and you’re good to go!
5.) Sanitize wounds by soaking them in some tea tree oil. You can also pour a few drops of the oil into a water bottle and spritz the wound with the resulting solution. However, if the wound isn’t terribly sensitive, you should apply the oil directly.
6.) Get rid of warts. Just apply pure tea tree oil to the wart two times per day, in the morning and before bed. Continue this regimen until the wart is gone. If you have really sensitive skin, you can create a diluted solution using the oil.
7.) Soothe viral infections. If you have a viral infection, you can add a few drops to freshly boiled water and inhale the steam. It’s recommended to place a towel over your head and the pot of water.
8.) Get rid of a vaginal infection. Just add about 15 drops of the oil to a bath and enjoy the healing and soothing benefits.
9.) Soothe tonsillitis. For this to work, you just need to inhale steam from a solution consisting of boiling water and tea tree oil. You should also make a solution containing a few drops of the oil and gargle it. Some people also prefer to rub a topical solution containing the oil into the soles of their feet and neck.
10.) Clean a Toothbrush. To kill the bacteria that are currently hiding amongst the bristles of your toothbrush, rub a few drops of oil into your toothbrush at least once per week.
11.) Get rid of toenail fungus. To eliminate embarrassing toenail fungus, apply oil to the top and bottom of the afflicted nail. It’s especially important to apply the oil to the bottom of the nail. You can apply two drops of the oil one time per day, and ideally, before you go to bed.
12.) Get rid of ticks. To eliminate pesky ticks, just apply one to two drops of oil to ticks, and the areas surrounding the ticks.
13.) Get rid of Thrush or yeast infection. Just mix one cup of warm water with one drop of tea tree oil and gargle the solution. Do this once per day.
14.) Prevent infection from a tattoo. After you get a tattoo, you can use tea tree oil to prevent infection. All you need to do is apply a solution that contains a few drops of oil to the tattoo. You can apply pure oil or dilute it with something like coconut oil.
15.) Soothe painful sunburns. To soothe your fresh and painful sunburns, just create a mixture of 1 drop lavender oil, 1 drop tea tree oil and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Mix the solution and apply it to your sunburn.
16.) Eliminate staph infection. For this to work, you’ll need to rub the oil into the soles of your feet. By doing this, it will increase your body’s immune response and help to fight off the infection.
17.) Get rid of stye. In case you don’t know, this is pinpoint inflammation of the eyelid. To help this condition to heal quickly, just add about 5 drops of oil into a pot of boiling water. Make sure to drape a towel over your head while you’re hovering over the pot and allowing the steam to work its magic. It’s best to steam for about 5 minutes.
18.) Soothe sore muscles. If your muscles are sore, you can add a few drops of tea tree oil into a bathtub full of hot water. Relax in the bath as you normally would and allow the oil to relieve muscle soreness.
19.) Get rid of sinusitis. Bronchial infections are no fun! Banish them using a vaporizer. Just add about ten drops of oil and allow the vaporizer to work its magic for about 5 to 10 minutes.
20.) Soothe shock. To get relieve from this problem, just massage some of the oil into the soles of your feet.
21.) Get relief from shingles. Grab about a half cup of Epsom salts and mix 15 drop of tea tree oil into it. Dissolve the mixture into a bath. Add another 10 drops of the oil with 2 tablespoons of coconut or grape seed oil and massage the mixture into afflicted areas of the body.
22.) Take care of seborrhea. To attack this condition when it’s on your skin, use 10 drops of oil with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil; massage it into the afflicted skin and do this up to three times per day. To attack seborrhea on the scalp, massage a mixture of 10 drops oil and 2 tablespoons shampoo into the hair and scalp. Leave the mixture on the scalp for about 10 minutes. Do this up to 4 times per day. You can also add 15 drops of oil to your bath to get some additional relief.
23.) Get relief from sciatica. Just mix 1 tablespoon of carrier oil with 10 drops of tea tree oil and massage the mixture into the areas of your body that are afflicted by sciatica. Make sure to repeat this process up to three times per day. Keep in mind that you can also apply an undiluted solution.
24.) Get relief from scabies. Just apply 2 drops directly to areas of skin affected by scabies in the morning and before bed.
25.) Soothe rubella. Just dilute oil as needed and massage the solution into the areas affected by rubella.
26.) Eliminate ringworm. Apply about 2 drops of oil to the affected area at least twice per day. For additional benefits, create a mixture of 1 drop lavender oil and tea tree oil and apply it to the affected area.
27.) Reduce rheumatism pain. Just add 20 drops of oil to about 2 ounces of carrier oil. Next, massage the mixture into the afflicted areas at least twice per day, but ideally, three times per day.
28.) Eliminate rashes. Create a mixture of a few drops tea tree oil with coconut oil and massage the rash with the solution for relief.
29.) Soothe the symptoms of psoriasis. Just mix 1 tablespoon of carrier oil with 10 drops of TTO and repeat this procedure twice per day. You also have the option of applying pure TTO.
30.) Get rid of plantar warts. Twice per day, apply pure TTO to any plantar warts that you have, and over time, they’ll begin to fade away.
31.) Control pests. Most household pests, such as ants, hate tea tree oil, so to keep these pests under control, place a few drops of TTO at the points of entry used by all pesky insects. You can also wipe cupboards and similar areas with a mixture of water and TTO.
32.) Eliminate nail fungus. If ugly nail fungus has taken over your nails, just apply two to three drops of TTO to the nails and surrounding tissue. Do this twice per day, in the morning and before bed.
33.) Obtain relief from the mumps. To accomplish this, just massage some TTO into your feet and body. If possible, diffuse TTO throughout your home.
34.) Get relief from muscle pain. To make your achy muscles hurt less, just create a mixture of 15 drops TTO and a half cup of Epsom salt. Dissolve the mixture into a bath and watch as your muscles stop aching.
35.) Deal with annoying mosquito bites. To do this, apply one drop of oil to all mosquito bites you have. Make sure to apply the oil directly.
36.) Remove mildew and mold. Create an all-purpose cleaner using 2 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of TTO. Spray the solution on mildew and mold to eliminate it. Make sure to shake well before you spray the mold and don’t rinse the sprayed areas.
37.) Prevent laundry mold. Just add about 1 half a teaspoon of TTO to laundry, and it will prevent fabrics from getting moldy, such as towels.
38.) Soothe your laryngitis. This is a painful condition. To get relief, you should gargle a mixture containing 1 cup warm water, pinch of sea salt and 10 drops of TTO. Always make sure you don’t swallow the solution because TTO should not be ingested.
39.) Get relief from jock itch. Have you been dealing with embarrassing jock itch? Apply a mixture of 2 tablespoons carrier oil and 15 drops TTO two times per day to the afflicted area. To reduce chapping, dust with some corn starch.
40.) Repel pesky insects. One of the best insect repellents out there is TTO. All you need to do is mix 1 quart of water with 15 drops of TTO.
41.) Remove ingrown hair infections. Just add about 2 drops of TTO to the area directly. You should continue this procedure every couple of hours until the infection is gone.
42.) Reduce painful inflammation. To get relief from inflammation, massage some TTO onto areas with inflammation, and make sure to massage in the direction of your heart. You can also inhale TTO indirectly or directly.
43.) Get relief from infected wounds. You can add a few drops of TTO to boiling water and allow the steam to saturate the infected wound. There is also the option of diluting 1 drop of TTO in 1 cup of water and using it to rinse the affected area. Do this up to two times per day.
44.) Stimulate the immune system. To do this, diffuse TTO throughout your home regularly. You can also boost your immune system by rubbing TTO into the soles of your feet. It will increase your body’s immune response.
45.) Clean around the house. There are several recipes for homemade cleaners that use TTO. Since the oil naturally kills germs, it automatically prevents viruses from spreading, so it’s great for cleaning around the house. A very simple recipe that you can use involves mixing 2 cups of water with 2 teaspoons of TTO. Mix the solution in a spray bottle and start cleaning immediately. Cleaning solutions that contain TTO are especially effective for cleaning toilets and other bathroom fixtures.
46.) Make powerful mouthwash. You can gargle a mixture of TTO of purified water, and it serves as a powerful mouthwash. As usual, make sure you don’t swallow it!
47.) Eliminate hives. If you have hives, you can mix 4 tablespoons of witch hazel with 10 drops of TTO. Apply the solution with a cotton ball. You also have the option of mixing TTO with coconut oil, which naturally soothes and heals hives.
48.) Say goodbye to head lice. To eliminate head lice, mix 2 tablespoons of shampoo with 20 drops of TTO. Massage the mixture into your hair and scalp and allow it to soak for about 10 minutes. Rinse and repeat about 3 times per day. You should continue this process until all of the lice eggs are gone.
49.) Got gum disease and need to get rid of it? You can start fighting back against gum disease with a mixture of 1 drop TTO, 1 drop peppermint and purified water.
50.) Prevent pain from gout. Just mix 2 tablespoons of carrier oil with 10 drops of TTO and massage it into the areas of the body affected by gout. Do this about 3 times per day.
51.) Make flea bites hurt less. To accomplish this goal, just apply 1 drop of TTO directly to any flea bites that you’ve accumulated.
52.) Get some relief from emphysema. TTO can be quite effective for a wide range of bronchial infections. Just add about 10 drops of TTO to a vaporizer or steamer and allow it to run for about 10 minutes.
53.) Fight back against eczema. Mix 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and 10 drops of TTO. Massage the mixture into all affected areas and repeat this procedure two to three times per day. You can also apply pure TTO to the affected areas for the same beneficial effects.
54.) Eliminate infections and earaches. Create a mixture of 2 tablespoons warm olive oil and 3 drops of TTO. Use a dropper and drop a couple drops into the achy ear. Next, tilt your head to the side. Absorb excess oil using a cotton ball. Do this up to three times per day for best results.
55.) Make dry skin hurt less. Massage a mix of 1 tablespoon almond oil with 5 drops of TTO into all areas of dry skin on your body.
56.) Get relief from dermatitis. All you must do is mix 1 tablespoon of carrier oil with 10 drops of TTO. Make sure to massage the solution into areas afflicted with dermatitis. For optimal results, make sure to do this up to three times per day.
57.) Got dandruff problems? Rather than buying really expensive shampoo, just mix about 30 drops of TTO with your favorite shampoo. After you wash your hair each day, apply a few drops of the solution.
58.) Need to get rid of a COUGH? You would be amazed at how effective a vaporizer and some TTO can be. Just use about 10 drops of TTO with a vaporizer and allow the machine to run for about 10 minutes. It works well for a number of bronchial issues.
59.) Say bye to cold sores. Use a cotton swab and apply one or two drops of TTO to the sore. You should do this two to three times a day until the cold sores are gone.
60.) Ever wondered how to deal with chigger bites? You can get relief by applying one drop of TTO directly to eat bite.
61.) Make chicken pox disappear. For this to work, all you need to do is apply a single drop of TTO to each individual blister. Make sure you give it time to dry and apply a light dusting of corn starch. Just repeat this process every few hours, and eventually, the blisters will disappear.
62.) Fix chapped lips. To fix dry, chapped lips, add two drops of TTO to your favorite lip balm and apply it as you normally would.
63.) Eliminate pesky carbuncles. You can get rid of carbuncles by adding two drops of TTO to a cotton swab and gently rubbing the carbuncles. Do this at least two times per day.
64.) Make short work of canker sores. To eliminate painful canker sores, just apply two drops of oil directly to the infected areas using a cotton swab. Perform this procedure twice per day.
65.) Destroy corns and calluses. To do this, just massage the afflicted area with a mixture of 1 tablespoon carrier oil and 5 drops of TTO. Do this twice per day. It will make the corns or calluses become weak, and once this happens, you can remove them with tweezers. You can apply a few drops of TTO to a bandage and apply it.
66.) Soothe painful burns. First, make sure to apply some icy water to the burn. Next, make a mixture of 1 tablespoon raw honey and 5 drops of TTO. Apply this mixture to the burn as much as 5 times per day.
67.) Remove bunions. To get rid of annoying bunions, massage the bunions with a mix of 1 tablespoon carrier oil and 5 drops TTO.
68.) Soothe painful bruises. First, apply ice to the bruise. Next, apply a few drops of TTO directly to the bruise.
69.) Take care of bronchitis. You can add two drops of TTO to a pot of hot water. Make sure to breathe the steam in for its beneficial effects. There is also the option of massaging some TTO into your chest.
70.) Eliminate bronchial congestion. Mix 1 ounce of carrier oil with 10 drops of TTO. Massage the mixture into your neck and chest as needed, which should be about three times per day.
71.) Get rid of boils. First, you’ll need to apply a warm washcloth and allow it to soak into the skin for a few minutes. Next, apply about two drops of TTO to the area containing the boil. The TTO will cause the infection to rise to the surface, where it will be released from the body.
72.) Eliminate blisters. First, make sure to wash the area carefully. Next, apply a couple drops of TTO to the blister.
73.) Want to eliminate a bladder infection? This one is simple; just add 15 drops of TTO to a shallow bath. Relax in the bath and carefully wash your body.
74.) Make your breath smell better. To eliminate bad breath, rinse your mouth with 1 drop of TTO mixed with 1 ounce of water.
75.) Destroy bacterial infections. You can use TTO topically for this purpose. You can massage the oil into reflex points on the feet, or you can add a few drops of TTO to a bath.
76.) Keep your baby gear clean. Make a mixture of water and TTO. You can use it to spray almost anything and keep it clean. It works especially well for baby gear.
77.) Beat stubborn athlete’s foot. First, you’ll want to clean your feet well. It’s especially important to clean between your toes. Next, add some TTO oil to your feet. Repeat this process about every two weeks. It’s a good idea to finish up the process with a dusting of corn starch.
78.) Control your asthma. You can get better control over your asthma by adding some TTO to a pot of boiling water and inhaling the steam. Do this for a few minutes at a time.
79.) Reduce pain caused by arthritis. When you experience painful swelling caused by arthritis, just mix 2 ounces of grape seed oil with 20 drops of TTO. Massage the mixture into the afflicted areas up to three times per day.
80.) Avoid allergy suffering. If you need some relief from allergies, just massage some TTO into your abdomen, chest or feet.
81.) Freshen the air in your home. You can soak them cotton balls in TTO. When the need arises to combat serious odors, just place some of the TTO-soaked cotton balls in the area. It will make the air in the area smell much better.
82.) Get rid of acne. To use TTO to get rid of acne, just add a drop of it to your normal cleansing regimen. You can also apply a tiny amount of TTO to breakouts when they happen. Another effective technique is to add about 40 drops of TTO to your bottle of face wash.
83.) Use TTO to make your hair healthier. The oil has been proven to be beneficial for the scalp and hair. You can add a few teaspoons of TTO to your favorite shampoo, and it will work wonders for your hair and scalp.
84.) Deodorize with TTO. It’s frequently used to get rid of foul smelling odors. A lot of people use TTO to eliminate body odor. It has antimicrobial properties that will eliminate the bacteria that causes body odor. A simple mixture of baking soda, coconut oil and TTO can be used to deodorize body odors.
85.) Treat wood. You can actually treat wood with TTO. Just make a simple mixture of water and TTO and apply it to wood. It will help to repel insects. However, don’t use this technique for wood that you’ll be eating off of because TTO should not be ingested.
86.) Fight moths. You can use TTO to fight back against moths. Just soak a few cotton balls into the TTO and place them in a closet or wherever moths might be trying to eat your clothing.
87.) Deodorize sports equipment. TTO is known for being effective against odors. Just add a few drops of TTO to your sports equipment wash and enjoy the benefits.
88.) Prevent fungus infections. You can use TTO to treat a wide range of fungal infections, but you can also use it to prevent them. Just apply some TTO to areas of the body that could be exposed to fungal infections before and after. For example – you might apply some before a trip to the local aquatic park.
89.) Eliminate disgusting mold. Just mix some TTO with some apple cider vinegar and scrub the mold.
90.) Make several different homemade cleaners. You can use TTO to make a number of different household cleaners. One of the simplest cleaners consists of 2 cups of water and about 15 drops of TTO.
91.) Make your carpet smell better. You can spray a mixture of TTO and water onto areas of your carpet that stink and make it smell better. It will make your carpet smell much better.
92.) Remove bacteria from small cuts. Did you know tea tree oil also works very well as an antiseptic? Just apply it to small cuts, and it will make short work of bacteria and prevent infections.
93.) Soothe painful insect bites. There is no doubt that insect bites can be painful. By applying some TTO to them, you can get some incredible pain relief.
94.) Soften dry cuticles. Ever had to deal with really hard cuticles? The essential oils within TTO will counter the effects of ragged and cracked cuticles. Just apply about 10 drops of TTO to the cuticle.
95.) Fight foot odor. This is a problem that a lot of people have. Fortunately, TTO fights odor, reduces sweatiness and leaves feet feeling fresh and clean. All you need to do to make stinky feet smell great is soak them in a solution of 4 cups water and 10 drops of TTO.
96.) Treat yeast infections. Make a mixture of distilled water and 5 drops of TTO. Use a cotton swab to apply the mixture to areas of the body that are afflicted with yeast infection.
97.) Make an all-purpose cleaner. To make an all-purpose cleaner, just grab a spray bottle and fill it with water. Add three teaspoons of TTO and shake the bottle well. You can use this cleaner to disinfect and clean most areas of your home.
98.) Make laundry fresh. To make your laundry smell even fresher, just add a few teaspoons of TTO to each load of laundry.
99.) Breathe better. If you have a humidifier, just add a few drops of water to it, and it will help asthma and several other breathing conditions that you could be suffering from.
100.) Make a simple soap. If you want to make a very basic antiseptic soap, you can mix 2 tablespoons of TTO with 2 cups of melted glycerin soap base. Just stir everything until it’s blended well and pour into a soap mold. Once it cools, you’ll have soap!
101.) Treat nerve pain. Believe it or not, you can actually get some relief from nerve pain using TTO. Just apply a diluted mixture of water and TTO to all areas of your body that experience nerve pain once per day.
102.) Relieve joint pain. Like nerve pain, joint pain can be quite debilitating. If you need relief, apply a diluted solution consisting of water and TTO to painful joints as needed.
103.) Get rid of dermatitis. Mix 1 tablespoon of grape seed oil with 10 drops of TTO and massage the mixture into the areas with dermatitis multiple times every day. Repeat this routine until the condition is gone.
104.) Put an end to Urticaria. Mix 4 tablespoons of witch hazel with 10 drops of TTO and make use of a cotton ball to apply the mixture.
105.) Make new tattoos cleaner. To prevent infection and dramatically improve cleanliness, apply some TTO to a fresh tattoo.
106.) Promote healthy hair growth. If you’re someone who is struggling with hair growth, just add a few drops of TTO to some carrier oil. Massage your scalp with the solution, and it will unclog hair follicles while also providing nourishment to the roots. The reason you need to mix TTO with carrier oil is because it dilutes the TTO, which is too strong by itself.
107.) Take the burn out of razor burn. If you have an uncomfortable, painful razor burn, apply a mixture of 1 spoonful of coconut oil with two drops of TTO. It will help to soothe the burn.
108.) Cure dry scalp. If your scalp is overly dry, just mix some carrier oil with TTO. Make sure to let it soak for about half an hour before you wash it out. The oil will moisture the scalp while unblocking follicles, which will make your scalp less dry.
109.) Moisturize dry skin. Just mix some TTO with carrier oil and apply it to dry or cracked skin. All you need is about two drops of TTO and 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil or carrier oil. Massage the mixture into the driest parts of your skin.
110.) Take action against corn. If you have a corn, you can apply pure TTO to it twice per day. However, make sure to avoid applying pure TTO to sensitive areas of the body because it’s very strong.
111.) Improve your lip health. You can add two drops of TTO to your favorite lip balm, and it will make it much easier to fight off chapped lips. It will also increase the health of your lips.
112.) Cleanse your skin. If you have blemishes, you can dab some TTO onto them, and the oil will cleanse your skin. Tea tree oil has several beneficial properties.
The Incredible Benefits of Tea Tree Oil
If you’ve made it this far, then it should be quite easy to see just how versatile this oil really is. The reason why it can be used for so many different purposes is because of its fungicide, expectorant, cicatrisant, balsamic, antiviral, antiseptic, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
It’s also a sudorific, insecticide and stimulant. Judging by the name, you would think that TTO is extracted from the plant that is used to make tea. This is far from the reality. It’s actually not related to the tea plant at all.
Steam distillation is used to extract TTO from the leaves and twigs of the tea tree. The tree that contains the oil is native to New South Wales and Queensland, located in Australia. In fact, this is the main reason why TTO is so incredibly popular in Australia.
When you hear people talk about tea tree oil as being some sort of miraculous compound, they’re really not exaggerating much. For a very long time, it has been used to cure virtually every tropical disease and infection known to man.
You would have a difficult time finding many households in Australia that DON’T have TTO. You’re even more likely to find it inside of homes where children are present.
It is, however, important to remember that it should never be ingested. While it’s known very well for boosting the immune system and killing bacteria, TTO is capable of so much more than that!
It’s Amazing Properties
Tea tree oil is an antibacterial, so it’s frequently used to eliminate bacteria. It’s especially useful for diseases obtained from the tropics. It can cure virtually all bacterial infections found in tropical environments.
While it has been shown to be able to cure issues with the urinary system, excretory system, stomach and colon, people rarely ingest TTO. Its balsamic properties boost health and promote nutrient absorption. It offers protection from diseases.
Its cicatrisant properties allow it to heal wounds quickly while also protecting them from infection. It also has the ability to diminish and neutralize scar marks left from acne, pox, boils and eruptions.
Its antimicrobial properties make short work of harmful microbes. TTO has no trouble killing off the microbes that are known to cause malaria and tropical fevers.
Its antiviral properties ward off dangerous viral infections. Its expectorant properties help it to fight off bronchitis, congestion, cold, cough and more. It can provide significant relief from congestion and colds.
It even has insecticide and antiseptic properties, which repel insects and prevent open wounds from getting infected. All things considered, it’s hard to beat the versatility and countless uses of tea tree oil.
