Essential oils have become one of the most mainstream alternative healing modalities with widespread popularity and discussion in the Western world. Why? They’re very easy to use, have multiple ways you can use them, and can have some very powerful effects physically and mentally. Essential oils can help with congestion, digestive issues and even boost your testosterone levels.
One of the strongest among them? Tea tree oil. The benefits of tea tree oil are numerous and include everything from clearer skin to cuts that heal faster and fresher breath. We’ll break down all of these benefits below and the best and safest ways to use tea tree oil to reap these benefits and gleam as many improvements as possible from this powerful plant.
In This Article We’ll Be Covering:
- How to use tea tree oil
- How tea tree oil can help
- How to implement tea tree oil into your grooming routine
First, a little background on tea tree oil. Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the tea tree, a plant native to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. It was named tea tree by 18th century sailors who made tea out of the nutmeg-scented leaves growing in the swamp there. Since then, this plant has made its way around the world and made quite a name for itself in the alternative medicine space and beyond for the numerous benefits of tea tree oil.
Also, it’s important to note that it’s best to use pure, unadulterated tea tree oil whenever possible. There are a lot of curious mixes out there that don’t consist of the pure, raw essential oil. Always look at the ingredients before purchasing, and invest in the highest quality oil possible.
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So, what are they exactly? How can you use tea tree oil to your benefit in your healthcare routine? Let’s dive in.
1. Tea Tree Oil May Help Clear Up Acne
Tea tree oil, when applied in gel or cream form to the skin, may help clear up several different acne symptoms similarly to benzoyl peroxide, without the potential skin irritation. This gentler solution, when applied consistently in a skincare routine, was shown to reduce the number of lesions and severity of acne scars on the face.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Targeted Gel
This tea tree gel from The Body Shop is made to target difficult acne on your face and is ideal for particularly blemish-prone skin. It’ll cleanse skin without drying it out too much, and comes in a small portable bottle you can easily take with you anywhere. It’s soothing and cooling but also doesn’t dry out skin like other acne solutions do. Give your skin a nice pampering break and spot treat acne with this tea tree gel.
Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Antiseptic Cream
This antiseptic cream from Thursday Plantation leverages the antibacterial power of tea tree oil to treat acne and calm down dry or inflamed skin. It’ll soothe your skin irritations and protect cuts and scrapes from infection. This formula doesn’t contain any synthetic parabens or other harsh ingredients, just the power of plants. It’s made with 100% pure Australian tea tree oil direct from the source, that’s been tested for authenticity and declared pure and unadulterated.
2. Tea Tree Oil May Help Athlete’s Foot and Other Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are a bummer. While not dangerous, they’re pretty gross. Thankfully there are numerous remedies out there for treating fungal infections like athlete’s foot and toe nail fungus, one of them being tea tree oil. You can use the tea tree oil on its own or mix it in with some coconut oil to dilute it a bit and apply it to the infected areas. Once you apply it, be sure to wash your hands to avoid spreading the fungus to other parts of the body.
FineVine Organics Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak
This foot soak has a unique blend of seven different essential oils that will help remove fungus and bacteria from the feet while they soothe and clean at the same time. This foot soak contains epsom salts, tea tree oil as well as eucalyptus oil, lavender oil and other natural remedies. Use it for foot fungus, athlete’s foot, smelly foot odor, stubborn calluses and even sore, tired arches.
3. Tea Tree Oil May Make for a Great Natural Hand Sanitizer
Another natural benefit of tea tree oil is that it’s very naturally antibacterial, and has been known to kill a number of common bacteria and viruses that can cause illness including S. pneumoniae, E. coli and H. influenzae. If you’re looking to disinfect and keep your family safe from harsh chemicals at the same time, turn to natural alternatives like tea tree oil.
4. Tea Tree Oil May Be An Effective Natural Insect Repellant
One potential benefit of tea tree oil is that it may be an effective, natural way to keep the pests away in the great outdoors that doesn’t involve harsh, toxic chemicals. Apparently, in an isolated study, cows who were treated with topical tea tree oil had 61% fewer flies around them than cows who hadn’t been treated with tea tree oil. Certain studies have also shown that it may be more effective in repelling mosquitos than DEET, a very common active ingredient in bug sprays. It also may repel ticks, bees, beg bugs fleas and even fire ants.
You can combine a few drops of tea tree oil with lemon, eucalyptus and peppermint oil with vodka and distilled water to make your own all-natural insect repellant this summer.
5. Tea Tree Oil Makes a Great Deodorant In Natural Deodorant
Did you know that actual sweat doesn’t smell? It’s when sweat combines with bacteria on your skin that odor gets created. So, with tea tree oil’s natural antibacterial properties it could get rid of that bacteria and improve your smell overall. Underarms tend to be the source of our B.O so if you can cut it off at the source, you’ll be well on your way to smelling better than ever before. One of the benefits of tea tree oil is its natural antiperspirant quality, you can enjoy using the following all-natural deodorants.
Tom’s of Maine Natural Tea Tree Deodorant
This deodorant from Tom’s of Maine is aluminum-free and promises 24 hours of protection with all-natural ingredients. It’s a blend of natural fragrances including tea tree and contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives. The Tom’s of Maine brand is a certified B Corp with high standards of social and environmental performance, and balances legal profit and performance. This natural deodorant comes in a pack of three 2.25 ounce containers.
Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Deodorant
This is another all-natural deodorant option from Desert Essence that combines the power of lavender, chamomile and tea tree oil to bring a long-lasting fragrance and powerful deodorant. This deodorant stick also contains natural extracts including aloe vera that calms the skin and naturally deodorizes alongside the other ingredients. Completely free from harsh chemicals like propylene glycol and aluminum, this deodorant is still just as powerful in keeping you fresh all day through the power of plants.
6. Tea Tree Oil May Help Wounds Heal
A cut or scrape is a situation to be handled with care to avoid infection, and tea tree oil may be just the natural remedy to do that. Its antimicrobial properties is another one of the useful benefits of tea tree oil. It could effectively clean and disinfect the wound within irritating the surrounding skin with more intense chemicals. Studies have shown it’s effective in killing S. aureus, a bacteria that commonly causes infections in wounds. You can combine a few drops of tea tree oil with coconut oil to disinfect and jumpstart wound healing.
Maple Holistics 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil
This tea tree oil from Maple Holistics comes from a brand you can trust with no other added ingredients or diluters. This means it’s best to combine this oil with something else when applying topically to avoid skin irritation. This tea tree oil is made in the US and comes directly from the Australian Melaleuca Alternifolia plant.
7. Tea Tree Oil May Make A Great Natural Mouthwash
That bacteria you’ve got on your skin that causes B.O? It’s also in your mouth, and it might be making your breath less than desirable. Plus, it might be able to fight germs and oral microorganisms that cause tooth decay. Yikes. Let this natural remedy save your pearly whites through battling plague-causing bacteria and leaving your mouth fresher than before. Combine a few drops of tea tree oil with warm water and swish in your mouth as you would mouthwash. Please note that similar to mouthwash, tea tree oil should not be swallowed.
8. Tea Tree Oil May Soothe Skin Inflammation
If you’ve ever had a topical reaction to an allergen like hives or dermatitis you know the red, inflamed itchiness is irritating at best. Topical ointments and lotions are great, but if you’re looking for an all-natural alternative tea tree oil may be the way to go. Studies have shown that tea tree oil may reduce symptoms of skin irritations like contact dermatitis by as much as 40%. It may also be effective in relieving the itchiness of bug bites.
Chamuel Tea Tree Oil Balm
This tea tree oil balm from Chamuel provides quick relief from dry, cracked, itchy or inflamed skin. It’s designed to combat symptoms from conditions like psoriasis, eczema, jock itch and other unpleasant maladies. It’s also completely natural, and can provide a soothing remedy to any part of the body looking for a calm and cooling effect. It’s an effective combination of ingredients like tea tree oil and peppermint oil alongside carriers like olive oil and beeswax. It’s got no harsh ingredients and is just as effective as other over-the-counter remedies.
9. Tea Tree Oil May Protect Fresh Produce From Mold
Fresh fruits and veggies are delicious, and nothing is more of a bummer than picking up that peach and finding mold growth all over the bottom. Unfortunately due to the freshness fruit is particularly susceptible to mold growth, especially in warmer climates. Tea tree’s anti-fungal properties to the rescue! Studies have shown it may reduce the growth of Botrytis cinerea mold on produce when sprayed over the fruit diluted in water.
10. Tea Tree Oil May Help Control Dandruff
Dandruff got you down? The flaky existence is not a good one, and anyone who’s seek the snow on their dark sweaters knows that it’s a problem that needs urgent solving. You could go the chemical route, but that may irritate your skin even more — let’s try an all-natural remedy. Tea tree oil’s anti-itch and anti-inflammation properties when it comes to skin also applies to your scalp. Although research in the area is not as extensive as other qualities of tea tree oil, the grooming industry has run with it. Here are a few of our favorite scalp products with tea tree oil.
Maple Holistics Tea Tree Oil Shampoo
This shampoo combines a sulfate-free cleanser that hydrates with anti-itch tea tree oil to create the perfect remedy for an irritated, dandruff-filled scalp. It can also prevent head lice and thinning hair through creating a healthier scalp overall. It promotes hair growth and locks in moisture from the tip to your hair follicle to keep your whole head healthy. It’s also got lavender and rosemary in it for their calming properties and the natural eradication of lice. Even sensitive skin will find this shampoo soothing and effective against dandruff and other scalp conditions.
OGX Extra Strength Refreshing Tea Tree Scalp Treatment
Hydrate your scalp with this powerful formula consisting of not just tea tree but the added effects of peppermint and witch hazel. It’ll cleanse your tresses deeply as it removes unhealthy residue, soothes irritation and hydrates thoroughly from tip to root. It works on curly, straight and even color-treated hair, and will cut your itchiness for good.