12 Every Day Uses for Tea Tree Essential Oil

Uses For Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree essential oil was one of the first essential oils I started using. When I began researching ways to save money, I soon found that I could cut costs by making my own cleaners at home. Almost every recipe I found called for tea tree essential oil because it’s a great disinfectant.

 Now, I use it for much more than cleaning. Because essential oils are so complex, they can be used for a number of different purposes and tea tree essential oil is no exception.

 How to Use Tea Tree Essential Oil

Topically

 Tea tree oil can be applied to the skin either neat (undiluted) or diluted. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend diluting tea tree oil in a carrier oil like coconut oil. If you’re using it with kids, I also recommend diluting the oil and using it on the bottoms of their feet.

When using essential oils topically, it’s a great idea to:

Use a carrier oil: I’ve learned that just by adding a tiny amount of a carrier oil, you increase the absorption rate of essential oils because of how the carrier oil can penetrate the skin.

Heat up the area: When I apply an essential oil to my skin, I make sure to also rub it in to create a heat exchange. This increases blood flow to the area, which helps the essential oils go through your body faster.

 Aromatically

 Tea tree oil is a great essential oil to diffuse aromatically (unless you have cats – keep them away from tea tree oil). This is a great way to purify the air because of its antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

 Precautions

 Always do a spot test to make sure you aren’t sensitive to tea tree essential oil. If you are, dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil . Also, make sure you’re using 100% pure essential oils, avoiding additives/chemicals/carrier oils found in some brands which can cause irritation.

Do not use with cats as most brands can be harmful. Dilute with children and make sure they do not consume tea tree essential oil.

For more information on using essential oils, check out our frequently asked questions on essential oils.

12 Uses for Tea Tree Essential Oil

1. Ear Infections

 Tea tree essential oil is my favourite way to treat ear infections naturally. We have few ear infections in our home now, but when they occur, I rub 1-2 drops of tea tree essential oil all around the base of the ear every 2-3 hours.

2. Fungal Skin Infections

 Tea tree essential oil is a powerful antifungal and can be used as a natural remedy for fungal skin infections, like ringworm and Candida. Dilute 5-6 drops in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil for added antifungal power and rub onto the infection a few times per day. (However, I would not use this in the genital area for yeast infections as it can burn quite badly.)

3. Acne

 Rub a drop of the tea tree essential oil onto problem areas 2-3 times per day to make acne clear up faster.

 4. Disinfecting

 Tea tree essential oil is antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic, making it a great addition to homemade cleaner recipes.

 5. Toothaches

 Tea tree oil is also analgesic, meaning it reduces pain. For a toothache, try mixing 1 drop of tea tree essential oil in 4 oz of warm water and swish in the mouth a few times per day. (For added pain killing power, add 1 drop of clove essential oil.) Do not to swallow.

 6. Athlete’s Foot

Use tea tree essential oil by itself or make an athlete’s foot blend. You can apply the essential oil undiluted to the feet but I think that mixing 5-6 drops in 1 tablespoon of antifungal coconut oil would be better. Massage into clean feet when you wake up and before you go to bed.

7. Canker Sores/Cold Sores

 Mix 1-2 drops of tea tree essential oil in 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil and dab onto the sore several times a day.

 8. Eczema

 To soothe the skin, try diluting 1-2 drops of tea tree essential oil in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and massage onto the affected area a couple times a day.

9. Nail Fungus

 I recommend a mix of dietary changes (avoiding chemical-laden processed food and eating limited amounts of natural sweeteners) and essential oils for getting rid of nail fungus.

 Tea tree essential oil is a great antifungal that can be applied topically to combat nail fungus. Apply one drop on the affected nail(s) and rub in the essential oil. It may be easiest to do this when you wake up and before you go to bed.

 10. Warts

Because warts can be so tough to get rid of, I recommend applying a drop of tea tree essential oil to the wart (undiluted if possible) several times a day until the wart is gone.

 11. Rashes

 Having dealt with a strange rash most of my life (which I eventually found out was caused by my food allergies) I have plenty of experience with using tea tree oil for rashes.

 Before I found the cause of my rash and began healing my body with diet, I used a lot of topical creams to get it under control. Nothing helped. That is, until I started using tea tree oil. Dabbing a drop of tea tree essential oil on said rash would soothe the itching and after a few applications, make it fade quite a bit. I recommend applying a drop (dilute in coconut oil if you have sensitive skin) every 3-4 hours.

 12. Coughs

 Tea tree essential oil is also an expectorant, making it great for coughs and congestion. Use it to make this DIY vapour rub.

Where can you get high quality tea tree oil?

Tea tree essential oil is becoming more widely available due to its versatility and consumer demand for natural remedies. You can find it at most health food stores or online. (Beware of the tea tree oil available in drug stores – it’s likely to be cut with additives, chemicals, or carrier oils.) Get 100% pure organic tea tree oil online here.

15 Remedies You Can Make From Turmeric!

The yellow/orange spice of Turmeric has been in use for over 2,000 years, and is considered one of the most effective medicinal herbs through its active ingredient - Curcumin.

Studies have found that a daily intake of Turmeric can do a great deal of actual benefit to our breathing, digestion, blood flow, heart and even brain. The curcumin has strong anti-inflammation and anti-cancer properties. It's amazing what just a spoon of turmeric, mixed with the right ingredients, can do.

But beyond these uses, old and wise men and women, through the centuries, have come up with great home remedies using turmeric.

Here are 15 uses for this wonder spice that will bring you relief, healing and better living:

1. Treat ulcers and digestion problems: Mix one spoon of turmeric powder in a cup of boiling water, let it cool and then drink (you can sweeten with sugar or honey).

2. To relieve problems of digestion and acidity in the stomach: Mix half a spoon of turmeric with 1/4 spoon of black pepper and a 1/4 spoon of cardamom, and swallow after your meal.

3. To relieve a sore throat: Mix a spoon of honey with a spoon of turmeric and swallow about 4 times a day.

A second option: Mix 1/2 a spoon of turmeric and 1/2 a spoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gurgle in the throat.

4. To treat fungus on the foot and nails: Mix turmeric powder with lemon juice until an ointment is created. Smear the ointment on the problematic area for a week. Recommendation: Put socks on them and sleep through the night this way.

5. Treating acne: Smear a mix made of a tablespoon of milk and a bit of turmeric. This may stain your face, so best to put it on at night and wash your face well in the morning.

6. To stop a bleeding caused by cuts or scrapes: Dab generously with turmeric powder for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammation effects.

7. For quick healing of wounds: Make a thick mixture of turmeric with a bit of water. Smear on the wound and bandage it for at least 24 hours.

8. To treat arthritis: Boil a glass of milk with a spoon and a half of turmeric powder. Wait till it cools and drink.

9. To relieve asthma attacks: Mix 1/4 spoon of turmeric powder in a glass of turmeric mix hot water and drink in small sips.

10. To stop your gums from bleeding: Massage the teeth and gums with a mixture made of equal parts turmeric powder, mustard, oil and salt.

11. To treat mouth wounds: Mix a 1/4 spoon of turmeric in a glass of hot water and wait till it cools. Gargle several times a day.

12. Treating stubborn calluses: Prepare a thick mix of 50 grams of turmeric powder with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix well to receive the salve and then smear it on the callus.

13. To treat insect bites: Make a mixture of turmeric and lemon and smear on the injured area to stop both the itching and suck away the small amount of poison they leave behind which irritates the skin.

14. For rough PMS syndromes and cramps: Mix a spoon and a half of turmeric in a glass of hot milk.

15. To ease labor: It is recommended for women that are 9 months pregnant to swallow 1/2 a spoon of turmeric with hot milk every day. This combination, taken late in the pregnancy, should make giving birth a little easier.

 Songadh <: Songadh Son <songadhson@gmail.com>