In our busy lives today, many of us don’t get the time to take proper care of ourselves. At the end of the day, we only need to live with ourselves. So, isn’t it better to carve half an hour off daily to maintain our appearance and mental peace?
In today’s blog, we’ll discuss the top ten uses of tea tree oil and how you can add it to your daily skincare routine.
What is Tea Tree Oil?
Tea tree oil is obtained from Melaleuca alternifolia, a tree native to New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. It is an essential oil, not to be compared with the leaves used to prepare green, black, or oolong tea.
For centuries, Native Australians have been using tea tree oil as a homemade remedy for coughs, colds, and wounds.
Tea tree oil is available in the markets as both 100% undiluted liquid and diluted for skincare uses. You must’ve noticed many cosmetic and natural beauty and nourishment products using tea tree oil. When used properly, it’ll help you take care of your skin, nails, teeth, and hair for a long time.
This oil is also used in aromatherapy and relieves stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. And the best part is, it’s inexpensive and easily available!
Uses of Tea Tree Oil
Now you know how tea tree oil can benefit you, you must want to learn how to use it. Well, let’s get right into it!
It can be used as a non-chemical mouthwash.
If you struggle with bad breath, maybe it’s time you try tea tree oil.
Studies have found that tea tree oil may fight the germs that cause tooth decay and bad breath. It’s reportedly better at fighting plaque-causing bacteria and tastes better than chlorohexidine, the standard oral disinfectant most people use.
All you need to create your chemical-free mouthwash is to add a drop of tea tree oil into a cup of warm water and mix it thoroughly. Swish it around in your mouth for thirty seconds, and then you can spit it out.
Like all mouthwashes, tea tree oil should not be swallowed, as it can be toxic upon ingestion.
It fights acne breakouts.
According to PubMed, about 9.4% of the global population is affected by acne.
Acne is a problem many of us suffer from. Fortunately, many studies have shown that tea tree oil – just like peppermint oil – greatly reduces the amount and severity of acne upon application. They also found that tea tree oil is about as strong as benzoyl peroxide, the most common anti-acne medication.
You can look for tea tree oil-based acne-repellent gels in your nearby organic grocery store or order them online.
Alternatively, you can create your tea tree oil medication by mixing one part tea tree oil with nine parts water. Apply lightly on affected areas using a cotton swab.
It eliminates nail fungus.
Nail fungus might not be a dangerous problem, but it is also not a good thing, nor is it particularly healthy.
Alone or with other natural remedies, tea tree oil is perfect for getting rid of nail fungus with almost no side effects. A six-month study found people with nail fungus who used tea tree oil consistently observed partial or full resolution of their problem.
You can make your nail fungus remedy at home by applying a mixture of tea tree oil and coconut oil (optional) to the infected region. Wash your hands immediately after, or the fungus might spread to other parts through your hands.
It acts as a natural deodorant.
If you have a body odor problem and don’t like chemical deodorants, tea tree oil is right up your alley.
Body odor isn’t the smell of sweat; it’s a result of the mixing of your sweat and bacteria. Your armpits have many sweat glands, which is why they give off a moderately strong odor.
Tea tree oil is known for its bacteria-fighting properties and is worth a try. You can mix shea butter, baking soda, arrowroot powder, and tea tree oil to make a chemical-free deodorant that actually works!
It can be used for dandruff control.
Many of us grew up thinking dandruff is a part of hair growth and never questioned it. But as an adult, you must realize how problematic and embarrassing dandruff is.
If shampoos don’t work, we’d recommend tea tree oil, known to reduce dandruff and clean the dandruff scales on your scalp. Add a few droplets of tea tree oil to a single dose of shampoo when you shampoo your hair the next time.
It is a remedy for an athlete’s foot.
If you’re into sports or tend to play outdoors for long hours in the summers, you’d already be familiar with Athlete’s Foot – a painful, contagious foot infection caused by prolonged confinement of sweaty feet in tight-fitting shoes.
An athlete’s Foot is just as hard to get rid of as it is itchy. The blisters, crackling, peeling, and redness can upset just about anyone. And while there is anti-fungal medication for it available in the pharmacies, if you ever wish to treat it naturally, we have a great recommendation.
Another one of the benefits of tea tree oil is that it kills fungi more effectively than many other anti-fungal agents.
Just add one-fourth cup of arrowroot, one-fourth cup of baking soda, and twenty drops of tea tree oil. Mix well, store in a sealed jar, and apply to affected regions twice daily for best results.
It has anti-inflammatory properties.
If your skin is sensitive or you suffer from contact dermatitis, your skin may be frequently red, itchy, and painful. While many medicines are on the market, how about giving natural remedies a chance?
Tea tree oil is known to reduce these symptoms by up to 40%, which is more than the standard medication. They might provide relief from bug bite reactions as well.
For a standard anti-inflammatory concoction, mix ten drops of tea tree oil, one tablespoon of coconut oil, and one tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil. Mix well, and your new skin medicine is ready!
Remember always to store it in an airtight container.
Effective treatment for sunburnt skin.
We just discussed the miraculous anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil which can work wonders on a variety of skin diseases and conditions. Now, let’s narrow our scope down to that one particular condition we all face, especially in the summer months: sunburns.
If you’re someone who is outdoors a lot during the daytime, you’d be familiar with the reddened, swollen, and inflamed skin under the brutal rays of the sun. Well, tea tree oil can help you with it. Its combined anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties work on your sunburnt skin like a charm.
It is also why tea tree oil is a common ingredient in various sunscreens. While many users have found directly applying the oil to sunburnt areas helpful, if you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to dilute it first.
You can also use it to drive insects away.
If you live in a pest-prone area, tea tree oil can be your savior! It is efficient at keeping small insects away; you don’t need to rely on chemical repellents again. Farmers also use it on agricultural produce to keep away ants, which is just another one of the striking benefits of tea tree oil.
So, if you’re trying to swear off chemical products and wish to insect-proof your house naturally, tea tree oil is the perfect replacement!
It acts as an antiseptic for most minor cuts and scrapes.
Antiseptics on a paper cut or a scape hurt, but the infection would hurt even more. However, if you think chemical antiseptics hurt more, we have the perfect, natural alternative.
Tea tree oil can kill all insect-causing bacteria on your wound. All you need is to mix one drop of tea tree oil and one teaspoon of coconut oil, and your new, all-natural antiseptic is ready!
Remember to wash the wound with plain water before applying and bandage the wound after. Repeat the process twice for a few days for fast recovery.
Tea Tree Oil: One Oil, Many Benefits
Tea tree oil is among the most useful essential oils with various unique applications. The benefits of tea tree oil are highly diverse, ranging from your oral hygiene to head lice; it can help fix a surprising number of everyday ailments.
However, before you decide to use it, we strongly suggest looking up at least a few methods of application before settling on one.
If today’s blog has helped you use the small bottle of tea tree oil at the back of your medicine cabinet, we’re happy for you. If we’ve forgotten any important uses of tea tree oil, let us know in the comments below!