Tea Tree Oil: 38 Amazing Uses for the Skin, Health, and More

In recent years, Tea Tree Oil has become the most used, most beneficial, and most practical essential oil in my home.

Here’s why:

The remarkable and versatile Tea Tree oil health and household uses – make it a must-have for anyone who wants to stay away from doctors.

The complete list of proven benefits and how to use Tea Tree oil is right here for you – to start benefiting from it today.

You’ll be amazed, I guarantee it.

This post contains affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.

Here’s how to use Tea Tree Oil at home:

38 Super-Helpful Uses for Tea Tree Oil

1. Tea Tree Oil Skin Benefits and Uses

Science has proven that in most cases, skin issues + Tea Tree oil = Healing.

Here is the list of all tea tree oil skin uses:

1. Herpes Simplex/Cold Sores – this study has found that TTO is capable to exert a direct antiviral effect on HSV, and in my experience, TTO also works great for cold sores.

Apply a drop or two of oil directly to a sore throat with a cotton swab. Re-apply 2 – 3 times daily.

2. Cuts, burns – TTO can be safely used to disinfect small cuts, wounds, and minor burns. In my experience, one of the best uses for Tea Tree oil is in healing burns.

If you get burned, immediately apply tea tree oil on the burned area, and it will keep your skin from blistering.

After cleaning the area, apply a few drops of the diluted oil directly. If a bandage is needed, allow a few drops of the oil to penetrate a cotton ball, then lay it face down on the wound with a bandage on top.

3. Tea Tree Oil for Acne – this study has proven that TTO (5%) is just as effective as Benzoyl Peroxide for reducing the number of inflamed and non-inflamed lesions – without the side effects.

Just add a drop of TTO 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.

(If you’d like to know more about getting rid of acne naturally – you should check out the amazing benefits of blue & red light therapy for acne, and the 4 scientifically proven remedies for acne scars.)

4. Athlete’s foot – clean feet thoroughly, especially between toes. Add TTO directly to feet every two weeks, dusting with corn starch after. Alternatively, add 10 drops of oil to 1 tbsp of carrier oil and massage on feet and between toes daily.

5. Dermatitis – add 10 drops of oil to 1 tbsp of grapeseed or other oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily.

6. Hives – add 10 drops of oil to 4 tbsp of witch hazel. Apply with a cotton ball. Or, mix with coconut oil.

7. Eczema – add 10 drops of oil to 1 tbsp grapeseed oil or coconut oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. It can be applied undiluted.

8. Mosquito Bites – apply a drop of oil directly to bites.

9. Plantar Warts – apply oil undiluted to the affected area 2-3 times daily.

10. Psoriasis – add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp carrier oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. It also can be applied undiluted.

(I suggest you combine it with red light therapy home treatments, proven to help Psoriasis inflammation)

11. Rashes – mix with coconut oil and massage over the affected areas.

12. Seborrhea –  for skin: add 10 drops of oil to 1 tbsp of carrier oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily.

For the scalp: Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp shampoo. Massage into scalp and hair, and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat 3 – 4 times daily.

Bath: Add 10-15 drops of oil to the bath.

13. Stye – add 5 drops of oil to a pan of steaming water. Drape towel over your head and steam for 5 minutes.

14. Ingrown Hairs – add 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to the area. Repeat every 2 hours or until signs of infection disappear.

15. Nail Fungus – add 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to the nail and the surrounding tissue. Allow drying completely on hands before touching anything. Repeat morning and night for a week.

(More than a few studies have proven the amazing ability of TTO to eradicate nail diseases)

16. Remove ticks – just add to the skin, and the little stinker will usually unlatch.

17. Jock Itch – rub a thin layer of the oil onto your skin twice a day—but dilute it first: Mix 10 drops into 2 tablespoons olive oil or witch hazel.

2. Tea Tree Oil for the Hair

The stimulant property of tea tree essential oil can be very beneficial for taking care of certain hair conditions. If you suffer from dandruff or hair loss, simply apply a diluted amount of tea tree essential oil to your scalp. The increased blood flow to the area will help your follicle stay healthy and strengthen the hold on your hair.

( See 6 more home remedies for dry and itchy scalp)

Research has proven that dandruff (plus dry itchy scalp) caused by Seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, eczema, and yeast-like fungus can be greatly helped by TTO.

1. Dandruff – add 20 – 30 drops of oil to any shampoo. Apply a few drops to the scalp and massage after washing.

(Alternatively, you can try this great Tea Tree Shampoo by Avalon Organics.)

2. Head Lice – TTO was proven to kill head lice very effectively.

Add 20 drops of oil to 2 tbsp shampoo. Massage into scalp and hair, and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat 3 – 4 times daily, until the eggs are gone.

3. Medical Uses of Tea Tree Oil

The many health benefits of Tea Tree oil are in my opinion – mind-blowing. Check them out below:

1. Asthma – add a few drops of oil to a pan of water and heat on the stove. When cooling, drape a towel over head and breath in for a few minutes.

2. Bronchial Congestion – use as directed for Asthma. Add 5 – 10 drops to 1 ounce of carrier oil, and massage into chest and throat 2 – 3 times daily.
3. Sinusitis – for a vaporizer, add 10 drops to a steamer and leave on 5 – 10 minutes. Also, add 2 drops to a neti pot.

( See my 2-day Sinusitis-Busting protocol)

4. Bladder Infection – in a shallow bath, add 10 – 15 drops of oil. Sit and wash the area carefully.

( Here are the 3 most potent natural antibiotics for a UTI)

5. Bronchitis – add 1-2 drops to a pan of hot water and breathe in the steam, or massage the oil over the chest.

6. Coughs – for a vaporizer, add 10 drops to a steamer and leave for 5 – 10 minutes.

7. Earache and Infection – add 2 – 3 drops of oil to 2 tbsp warm olive oil. With a dropper, drop a small amount into an aching ear, tilting your head to one side for a few seconds. Use a cotton swab to absorb oil. Repeat 2 – 3 times daily.

8. Rheumatism – to help reduce pain, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of carrier oil. Massage into the affected area 2-3 times a day.

9. A sore Throat – add 2 drops of oil to 1 cup of warm water with a pinch of sea salt, and gargle 2-3 times a day. Do not swallow!

10. Staph Infection – best used topically, rubbed into the soles of the feet to increase the immune response and fight infection.

11. Arthritis, joint pain – to help reduce pain and swelling, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of grapeseed or other carrier oil. Massage into the affected area 2-3 times a day.

( See the scientifically proven remedies for Arthritis and joint pain).

12. Tonsillitis – inhale from steaming water with tea tree, gargle (do not swallow!), and massage into neck and soles of feet.

13. Vaginal Infection – add several drops to the bathwater. It works!

4. Tea Tree Oil Household Uses

Tea Tree Oil can be added to homemade cleaners to kill germs and prevent the spread of colds and flu in your home.

1. Household Cleaning – you can make a general tea tree cleaner by combining 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend and use for household cleaning tasks. This is especially good in the bathroom and the toilets.

2. Insect Repellant – add 15 drops to a quart of water and use it as an effective insect repellent.

3. Laundry Helper – add 1/2 teaspoon tea tree oil to your laundry for towels and other fabric prone to getting moldy.

4. Mildew and Mold Remover – spray an all-purpose cleaner made with 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil and 2 cups of water on growing mold and mildew.

Shake well before using and do not rinse.

5. Pest Control – household ants and other pests dislike Tea Tree Oil, so a few drops put at the point of entry will deter them. Wipe cupboards out with an oil and water solution to keep ants away.

6. Toothbrush Cleaner – apply the oil directly to the toothbrush 1-2 times a week to kill bacteria.

Topical Placements and Diffusing Tea Tree Oil

The most important thing about using Tea Tree oil is to know that it cannot be ingested.

TTO can be inhaled or used as a topical remedy only and should always be diluted with a carrier oil (coconut, olive, sweet almond, etc).

Also, TTO cannot be used by pregnant women and babies under 6 months old.

Here are the different ways you can enjoy the benefits of TTO:

Topical Placements

You can apply TTO on the back of the neck (great because it’s close to the blood supply to the brain), on the feet (allows for quick absorption), over the heart (soothing and calming), or localized (directly on a painful/aching area).

Diffusing Tea Tree Oil

A diffuser is one of my favorite ways to use Tea Tree essential oil.

An essential oil diffuser disperses the TTP into the air, allowing you and your family to easily inhale the oil while disinfecting the air.

It’s nature’s best and most inexpensive air purifier!

Tea Tree Oil Side Effects

TTO is likely safe for most people when applied to the skin but for some people, it can cause skin irritation or swelling (allergic response). It may not be safe for young boys who have not reached puberty (may disrupt hormonal balance). And again, do not ever swallow and ingest TTO.

Tea tree oil should never be consumed. The oil contains terpenes which are incredibly difficult for the body to process.

While there are some remedies that call for consuming one or two drops of tea tree oil, this should still be done with extreme caution and should never exceed the recommended amount.

How Does Tea Tree Oil Work?

It took a long time for modern science to prove what the Australian Aborigines have already known for centuries about Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) leaves benefits.

The aborigines of Australia used to inhale the oils from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds.

They sprinkled crushed leaves on their wounds and used an infusion of soaked leaves to treat sore throats or skin problems.

Tea tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) is so useful that you’ll never want to live without it again.

1. Antimicrobial – Arthur Penfold, a hard-working researcher in the 1920s, was the first to prove Tea Tree’s antimicrobial activity. He found that TTO was 11 times more active than phenol.

This means that bacteria, viruses, and fungi don’t stand a chance against the powerful Tea Tree essential oil (a great natural antibiotic.)

During World War II, anyone who produced tea tree oil as a profession was excluded from the draft until there was enough tea tree oil available for hospitals and to be placed in first aid kits for soldiers.

You can treat almost any skin problem that involves microbes (or doesn’t) with Tea Tree Oil:

• Skin infections
• Minor cuts and burns
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Warts
• Toenail fungus
• Athlete’s foot
• Acne
• Yeast infections
• Cold sores
• Herpes simplex, and more.

In the same way, Tea Tree oil can be used for coughs, sore throats, the flu, or any bacterial or viral disease – through inhalation.

Plus, Tea Tree oil’s strong antibacterial activity makes it a cheap and toxin-free household disinfectant, mold fighter, and bed bugs, fleas, and ticks killer.

2. Cicatrisant – the Cicatrisant property of TTO makes it heal wounds quickly and protects them from infections.

Also, it can help neutralize or diminish the scar marks and after spots left by eruptions, boils, pox, and acne.

3. Expectorant – people who are suffering from a cough and cold, congestion, bronchitis, and other troubles associated with colds, can find great relief by using TTO.

For example:

This study has found that the major active component in TTO – terpinen-4-ol – prevents the influenza virus from entering the host cells, which means preventing the flu.

4. Anti-Inflammatory – terpinen-4-ol, the major TTO constituent, has been found to have potent anti-inflammatory properties.
And by being a stimulant, it speeds up blood circulation and increases the rate of new tissue and cellular growth.

This means that TTO can be very effective for any type of inflammation – aching muscles, nerve inflammations, arthritis and joint pain.

5. Insecticide – it’s obvious that an essential oil that is so deadly for bacteria and viruses will be effective against insects as well. Tea tree oil is an effective insect deterrent and insect killer.

It repels (or kills) mosquitoes, fleas, lice, or flies.

What Does Rubbing Tea Tree Oil on Your Feet Do?

While you can apply Tea Tree Oil to almost any part of your body, some people believe that it absorbs better when you rub it on your feet. Your feet have more pores than other skin areas in your body. This helps TTO enter your skin and bloodstream quickly and more efficiently, sometimes in less than 20 minutes.

Here are 2 more benefits:

• The skin on the soles of your feet is rougher and less sensitive than the skin all over your body. This means that you are less likely to have a skin reaction, and if you are not sensitive at all – you can even use TTO “straight” – without carrier oils.
• As you probably know, your feet ground you to the earth. Some people believe that rubbing essential oils on your feet honors this grounding effect.

The Best Tea Tree Oil Brands

It’s highly important to buy Tea Tree Oil made in Australia. It is the only country that regulates it, and its standard is T30-C15.

The “T” has healing properties and the higher the number, the greater the healing power. The “C” has caustic properties and the lower the number, the lower the caustic properties.

I use this Tea Tree oil, which is made in Australia and I wouldn’t settle for anything less.

Also, it’s very important to store TTO in dark, cool, and dry conditions – preferably in a dark glass bottle (with a dropper) that contains little air.

I love Tea Tree Oil and find myself using it daily. And I’ll bet once you try it, you’ll realize you don’t want to live without it ever again.

What about you? What’s your favorite use for Tea Tree Oil?

To your health and happiness,

Meital

Sources

Kentaro Ninomiya, Kazumi Hayama, et al. , Suppression of Inflammatory Reactions by Terpinen-4-ol, a Main Constituent of Tea Tree Oil, in a Murine Model of Oral Candidiasis and Its Suppressive Activity to Cytokine Production of Macrophages in Vitro, Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2013, Volume 36, Issue 5, Pages 838-844, https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.b13-00033

Hart, P., Brand, C., Carson, C. et al. Terpinen-4-ol, the main component of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil), suppresses inflammatory mediator production by activated human monocytes. Inflamm. res. 49, 619–626 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000110050639

T. A. Syed, et al., Treatment of toenail onychomycosis with 2% butenafine and 5% Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil in cream, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3156.1999.00396.x

Nenoff P, Haustein U, -F, Brandt W: Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of <i>Melaleuca alternifolia </i>(Tea Tree Oil) against Pathogenic Fungi in vitro. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 1996;9:388-394. doi: 10.1159/000211450

Ingrid B Bassett MB BS, et al., A comparative study of tea‐tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne, https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1990.tb126150.x

Di Campli, E., Di Bartolomeo, S., Delli Pizzi, P. et al. Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs. Parasitol Res 111, 1985–1992 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-012-3045-0