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This post is a second in a series that will discuss what I refer to as Natural Medicine Cabinet must haves! Part 1, in case you missed it, was all about Bentonite Clay. This next product was the first real natural product that I got hooked on – Tea Tree Oil! We ALWAYS have this product in our house. My friends and family have heard me refer to it numerous times. In fact, my husband can attest that it is referenced, and used daily in our house.  This article will be all about benefits of Tea Tree oil and why this product needs to be included in your home medicine kit.

What is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea Tree oil, or Melaleuca, is a powerful essential oil that has been used to treat a number of medical conditions. Tea Tree oil is a very powerful natural agent because of it’s anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. It is a renewable resource that is non-corrosive, non-staining, easy to use and very economical. It has been used for hundreds of years first by the aborigines in the Australian outback who were masters of using nature’s gifts as medicine. Many studies of the healing properties of Tea Tree oil have been conducted in the past decade and many have dubbed the oil a “first aid kit in a bottle”. Click here to learn where to buy Therapeutic Grade Tea Tree Oil.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

• Treats a number of infections including those that have been shown resistant to antibiotics.
• Fungal skin infections such as warts, rashes, dandruff, wounds, acne, sun burn and athletes food just to name a few.
• Used to treat both common respiratory problems such as coughs, sore throat and runny nose to more severe problems such as bronchitis and asthma.

Because of how powerful Tea Tree oil is please take the following precautions:

• Avoid contact with eyes
• Keep out of reach of children
• Do not take internally without consulting a health care practitioner (excluding toothpaste, mouthwash- without swallowing!)
• Use patch test before using oil on sensitive skin
• Dilute Tea Tree oil with cold-pressed oil (olive, coconut, almond, avocado, apricot) when using around sensitive areas or on baby’s skin.
• Pregnant women should take extra precaution.

Tea Tree Oil Uses

• Styes, Blocked Sinus Passages, Emphysema, Head Cold, Coughs/Congestion– Add a few drops of pure Tea Tree Oil  to a humidifier or a pot of steaming water and inhale vapors. You can also add a few drops to some carrier oil and rub on chest and back to breathe throughout the evening. 

• Sore Throat, Thrush, Canker Sores, Gingivitis, Bad Breathe, Plaque, Toothache– Add a couple drops of Tea Tree to a glass of water and swish around twice daily. It’s a great natural replacement for mouthwash and much more beneficial than commercial brands.

• Acne, Boils, Minor Burns, Eczema, Insect bites, Poison Oak/Ivy, Psoriasis, Rashes, Sunburn, Warts– Apply pure Tea Tree oil to the area twice daily. Can mix with cold pressed oil and honey to create a salve.

• Scrapes, Cuts, Wounds, Abscesses– Apply a few drops of Tea Tree oil to a cotton ball and clean the area. It’s anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties will keep the area clean and able to heal more effectively.

• Athletes Foot, Corns/Callouses, Nail Infection, Foot Odor, Ringworm, Shingles, Plantar Warts– Apply a mixture of pure Tea Tree oil (or mix with carrier oil) to affected area twice a day.  Add 5-10 drops to a foot bath and soak for 10 minutes.

• Dandruff, Head lice, Itchy Scalp, Oily Hair, Thinning Hair– Add 5-10 drops of pure Tea Tree oil to shampoo and conditioner and use daily. Just try not to get any in your eyes!

• Earaches– Mix 5 drops of Tea Tree oil with coconut or olive oil. Apply a small amount into ear (a couple drops for babies). Adults can pack ear loosely with a small cotton ball. Reapply Tea Tree as necessary.

• Cradle Cap for Infants– Mix 5-10 drops of Tea Tree with some carrier oil and rub on affected area. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and then wash hair. ***MAKE SURE NOT TO GET INTO BABIES EYES WHEN RINSING!

• Diaper Rash & Skin Problems– Mix Tea Tree with a cold-pressed oil and rub on problem area. Do not use pure Tea Tree oil directly on the skin as babies are much more sensitive than adults.

• Disinfectant, Deodorizer–  You can add a few drops of Tea Tree oil to a spray bottle of water or vinegar. It is multi-purpose and can be used on any surface.

• Animal Care– Can be used to treat mange, lice, ticks, ringworm and fleas by bathing animals and mixing 1 tablespoon of Tea Tree oil per cup of water. For abscesses or puncture wounds you can apply a few drops of the pure oil directly on the affected area.

Tea Tree oil is one of the most effective natural medicinal available and even works on conditions that are extremely resistant even to strong antibiotics. With it’s multi-purpose properties it is very cost effective and useful to have in the house at all times. (Where to Buy)

Do you use Tea Tree Oil regularly? If so, please share your experiences and how it has helped you!