How to use tea tree oil

[QuilterMom]

http://www.greenfeet.net/newsletter/teatreeoil.shtml

Essential Oil of the Month: Tea Tree
Edited by Lisa J. Chadderdon

Common Name: Tea Tree

Scientific Name: Melaleuca alternifolia

Description of odor: Fresh, clean, slightly camphorous

Method of extraction: Steam distillation

Where it grows: Tea Tree is native to Australia, where it grows primarily in New South Wales.

Introduction:
Tea Tree is an effective remedy for many ailments, and has been used for centuries by the aboriginal peoples of Australia. Extensive research conducted by scientists during the past ten years has resulted in very positive findings. According to Julia Lawless, author of The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Tea Tree has been shown to be effective in fighting against all three varieties of infectious organisms: bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It is also a very powerful immuno-stimulant: when the body is exposed to an infectious organism, Tea Tree helps increase the body's ability to respond. Tea Tree is considered non-toxic, and very rarely is an irritant, making it suitable for nearly everyone.

Tea Tree essential oil is one of the most versatile essential oils, and is a must-have for any home medicine cabinet. If you are new to aromatherapy, Tea Tree is an excellent introduction to essential oils. (Another excellent beginner’s oil is Lavender. Click here for more information about Lavender essential oil.)

How to use Tea Tree:


First Aid. Place one drop of Tea Tree directly onto minor cuts or scrapes before applying a bandage. Tea Tree’s anti-infectious properties help to heal the wounds and prevent infection.
Ringworm. For a small area, simply put one drop directly onto the affected skin. For larger areas, mix 3 drops of Tea Tree with 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil (such as Sesame or Jojoba) and apply it directly onto the affected area. Repeat 2-3 times a day until the infection is gone.
Acne. Apply sparingly to the affected area twice a day until the acne is gone.
Disinfectant. Take an 8 oz. spray bottle, fill with water and add 25 drops of Tea Tree oil. Shake well, and spray directly onto faucets, doorknobs, bed linens, or into the air as a disinfectant. This is also an excellent spray to use in a sick room.
Athlete’s foot. Apply Tea Tree oil directly to the affected area twice a day. Remember – one drop goes a long way. If the athlete’s foot infection is found between all of the toes, use the same dosage as above for large ringworm infections, and apply directly to the affected areas.
Gargle. To combat sore throat, or for an effective mouthwash, put two drops of Tea Tree essential oil into a glass of water, then swish and gargle. It doesn't taste very good – but it's very effective!
Respiratory aid. For mild coughs or chest congestion, combine 1 drop of Tea Tree oil with 1 drop of Lavender oil, and mix the combination into 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Rub the mixture onto the chest and back. Repeat every 3-4 hours as needed.
Itchy scalp. To soothe itchy, flaky scalp, add 15 drops of Tea Tree to your favorite 8 oz. bottle of shampoo. Wash and rinse as usual.
Sore muscles. Tea Tree helps to flush the body of uric acid build-up. Just add 2 drops of Tea Tree and 1 drop of Lavender to 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil, and rub the mixture onto any sore areas.
Nail fungus. Add 5 drops of Tea Tree essential oil to a basin of warm water, and soak nails (hands or feet) for 10 minutes. If the problem is acute, try rubbing 1 drop directly into the nail bed.
Safety:
Tea Tree essential oil is safe for nearly everyone. We do not recommend that you use Tea Tree oil on babies, and use it only when extremely diluted for children under the age of 5. It is one the few essential oils that is safe to apply neat – or straight onto the skin -- without the use of a carrier oil for individuals over the age of 5.

As with many essential oils, Tea Tree is safe to use as long as it is not abused. Use common sense when using essential oils. When following a recipe that calls for Tea Tree oil, use the exact amount called for by the recipe – do not exceed the recommended amount. If an allergic reaction occurs, discontinue use immediately; if symptoms persist, consult your physician.

Additional Resources:

There are dozens of other Tea Tree oil recipes that help fight a myriad of maladies. Two books you can reference for additional recipes and information are The Aromatherapy Book (by Jeanne Rose) and Aromatherapy an A-Z (by Patricia Davis).

[paelthom]

I still use Canadian Gardener's suggestion of tea tree oil brushed in your nose at night (on a q-tip) to help ward off sinus problems.

[canadian gardener]

LOL Pat, I was just going to suggest that.

drop or two on a Qtip, up the old shnozz and hey presto, your sinus cavities are clear and if you are coming down with a cold it either stops it completely or it turns it down into a mild one.

I use it 3 or 4 times a day if I feel a cold coming on or while the symptoms are clogging me up.

[homesteadmamma]

Margery, I love how you say it - up the old shnozz - right to the point!!!

I've got to get some tea tree oil and see if it works for us.

[brainyblonde]

I love this stuff! I bought a bottle of organic tea tree oil. I have used it for nail fungus and cuts and scrapes with great success. A little goes a long way!

[watchingpennies]

A hairdresser once told me that Tea Tree Oil also helps to prevent lice???? Don't know if that is accurate or not but....whenever there is a lice outbreak at school, I dab some behind my ears - it is stinky but oh well!!.

[grneyegrl]

i use it in my shampoo for dandruff..i have it kinda bad and this helps. i ll try using it in my nose

[jkelstaten]

I know of a lot of people that use it in their cloth diaper laundry because it's antibacterial. I would assume you could use a few drops on a rag to wipe down door handles, lightswitches, etc. to disinfect.

[journi7]

Tea tree oil is great for blemishes. I rub a drop on in the morning and one at night and they seem to clear up much faster. I still think acne breakouts at my age are so unfair. A friend did tell me a pimple and a gray hair cancel eachother out. So I should be about even!

I didn't know it would help with sinus problems, I'll have to give it a try.

[Dexter]

I've used it on bug bites too.

[miss_thrifty]

I also heard tea tree oil was good for keeping away lice. My neighbour next door had lice given to her by a following neighbour(she wouldnt tell anyone, the bugger). She was so mad, and her kids hate getting there hair done, wasnt fun. She treated herself 3 times to make sure and kids twice.
She was told by health nurse that tea tree oil was really good for the hair and it was like poison to them critters. Im going to buy it anyways t0o help keep the dustmites down and oldest dandruff down.

[yearn2bfree]

we had our first ever outbreak of lice this past summer. i thought my dd got it at church camp, but a few weeks later we noticed it was the neighbor's daughter who had been here the night before she went to church camp. ugh. anyway, tea tree did nothing for it after we already had it. i don't know if it will work as a preventative, but it's certainly worth a try.

i like putting a drop on light bulbs, i love the smell of it and it makes the room smell so good and clean. i'll have to try it for colds "up the schnozz!!!" and see if that helps next time we feel one coming on. i'd never heard of that one, but i can see where it would help with the stuffiness too.

[acidcookie]

I really don't like the smell of it actually, but I used it to keep away infections and, I think, keep down scar tissue with my industrial piercing.