Tea Tree Oil: 20 Awesome Health & Household Uses

Essential oils have been used for healing and medicinal purposes for centuries and most certainly long before we had pills, capsules and other pharmaceuticals to take care of our medical woes. Of course nothing can really take their place in modern medicine, but there are about a dozen or so essential oils that belong in every medicine cabinet including tea tree, peppermint, lavender, clove, rosemary and lemon among a few others.
Tea Tree Oil is by far one of my favorites for many reasons. It is an extract from a plant native to Australia and holds many healing powers. Here are just a few of the many ways Tea Tree Oil can be used for your health and your home:

1. Acne– Add a drop to your normal cleansing routine or dab a very small amount on acne breakouts. You can also add 20 – 40 drops of the oil to your regular face wash.
2. Manicure/Pedicure Treatment– Add a few drops to manicurist spray or cream for cuticle care and welcomed relief for cracked nails. Also known to help ward of fungus.
3. Air Freshener– Keep a supply of cotton balls soaked in tea tree oil packed away in a plastic bag or tin. When confronted with foul smells from cooking, musty orders from dampness or even the medicinal smell in a sick room, take a few out the freshen the air and remove the toxic smell.
4. Laundry Freshener– Add 2 teaspoons of pure oil to a regular load of laundry during the wash cycle.
5. Bladder Infection– In a shallow bath, add 10 – 15 drops of oil. Sit and wash area carefully.
6. Tonsillitis– Inhale from steaming water with tea tree, gargle, and massage into neck and soles of feet.
7. Toothbrush Cleaner– Apply oil directly to toothbrush 1-2 times a week to kill bacteria.
8. Bath & Tile Cleaner– Use an oil and water solution on shower doors to prevent soap buildup. After washing down walls and removing grime and mildew, wipe over again to prevent mildew re-growth.
9. Rashes– Mix with coconut oil and massage over the affected areas.
10. Insect Repellant– Add 15 drops to a quart of water and use as an effective insect repellent.
11. Scalp Treatment– Mix a few drops into your shampoo to break up product build up and oil. Leaves hair squeaky clean.
12. Cavities– Great to add to homemade toothpaste, or you can add a drop to your toothbrush before brushing. A simple homemade mouthwash with purified water, peppermint is also recommended.
13. 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.
14. Arthritis– To help reduce pain associated with swelling of arthritis, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of grapeseed oil. Massage into affected are 2-3 times a day.
15. Sinusitis- Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops to steamer and leave on 5 – 10 minutes. Also add 2 drops to neti pot.
16. Prevents lice- Use shampoo that contains tea tree oil or rinse your hair with warm water and 2 drops of oil.
17. Dandruff- Add 20-30 drops of oil to your favorite shampoo and massage into scalp. Leave for 1 minute and then rinse well.
18. Wood treatment- Rub a tea tree oil solution into wood furniture to help it resist insect pests. Don’t use this trick on wood you use around the kitchen or for eating, as tea tree oil is not safe to ingest, but it’s fine for deck furniture and indoor furnishings.
19. Chapped Lips- Add 1 or 2 drops of oil to lip balm. Apply to lips as necessary.
20. Ingrown Hairs- Add 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to area. Repeat every 2 hours or until signs of infection disappear.