Tea tree oil is the ultimate natural antiseptic, and today there are countless recipes and uses that allow you to live worry-free and safe. Tea tree oil is one of two essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin, with the first place being taken by lavender essential oil. It helps fight acne, fungi, skin infections, scalp infections, disinfection, and cleaning of spaces and the body.
In the following, find out how to make the most of nature, avoid harmful substances and chemicals, and enrich skin care with natural ingredients.
Treatment for fungi
Tea tree oil is excellent for eliminating nail and skin fungi, especially in the initial stages. If you notice a change in the color of your nail to yellow or “creamy,” it’s very likely a fungal infection.
Changes in skin color characteristic of fungal growth can be observed as white spots, usually on the back. Tea tree oil is diluted in carrier oil, preferably one with similar effects, for treating skin and nail fungal infections.
For this treatment, mix 4 – 5 drops of tea tree essential oil with one tablespoon of calendula or St. John’s wort oil, and apply to the affected area 2 – 3 times a day. While using St. John’s wort oil, avoid sun exposure as it is photosensitive.
Disinfection of surface wounds
Tea tree oil possesses natural antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties. Therefore, it is recommended to treat minor wounds, scratches, blisters, or burns to prevent skin infections.
Use it diluted in anti-inflammatory oils such as calendula oil, St. John’s wort oil, or rosehip oil.
Tea tree oil for acne-prone skin
Due to its aforementioned antiseptic properties, tea tree oil helps eliminate bacteria responsible for the appearance of pimples or acne on the skin. You can add tea tree essential oil to your favorite toner or facial cleanser, or use it to create masks or acne treatments.
Some of the face masks that include tea tree essential oil can be found in the article “Natural Masks for Oily Skin.” If you want to dry out pimples or inflamed spots, apply tea tree essential oil directly onto the pimple using a cotton swab. Tea tree oil in combination with honey also provides an effective treatment for drying out acne.
Solution for unpleasant foot odor
The main cause of unpleasant foot odor is bacteria or fungi that thrive in moist and confined areas, such as shoes during working hours. If your feet excessively sweat or have an unpleasant odor when you take off your shoes, try tea tree oil.
Add 20 drops of tea tree essential oil to half a cup of baby powder or cornstarch, then powder your feet and the inside of your shoes.
Treatment for troubled scalp and dandruff
The scalp is prone to various issues, with dandruff being the most common. Although dandruff can also result from dry scalp, most often it’s due to a fungal infection of the scalp, accompanied by an unpleasant odor when the hair and scalp are wet.
Tea tree oil will also help refresh the scalp, reduce itching, and the risk of infections in oily scalps. You can use it by adding 30 – 60 drops of tea tree essential oil to your favorite shampoo.
Moreover, tea tree oil, along with lavender oil, has proven extremely effective in treating lice and other parasites on hair and body.
Natural household cleaning
Tea tree oil is also an ingredient in many natural cleaning products due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and repellent properties. A simple solution for enhancing your laundry detergent’s power is to add 10 drops of oil to the detergent or washing machine drum.
Create a multipurpose cleaning solution by pouring one liter of water into a spray bottle (e.g. from an old glass cleaner), adding half a cup of natural apple cider vinegar, and 10 – 15 drops of tea tree essential oil. Shake before use and utilize it to clean surfaces, glass, mirrors, bathrooms, and more.
Make a bathroom cleaner by mixing water, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and natural liquid soap in equal proportions to obtain a moderately dense mixture. Add 10 – 15 drops of tea tree oil for effective cleaning, stain removal, and elimination of mold from tiles and grout.
Tea tree oil against insects and their bites
Tea tree essential oil is a natural repellent, so insects like mosquitoes won’t attempt to bite you. Many natural insect repellents contain tea tree oil, and it can also help with their bites.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil helps reduce swelling and redness from insect bites and disinfect the wound.
Solution for pests
The antiparasitic properties of tea tree oil help with head lice, animal parasites like fleas, as well as household pests such as ants and spiders.
Insects and pests are repelled by the scent of tea tree oil, and an effective solution against ants is to mix a cup of salt with 20 drops of tea tree essential oil and 20 drops of lavender essential oil. The salt will preserve the scent of essential oil and create a barrier against ants.
A few drops around your trash can will quickly eliminate annoying fruit flies, and the oil will help protect balcony flowers from pests.
