The tea tree is native to Australia, and in the past most people were unlucky not to be able to take advantage of its powerful leaves for various purposes. At this time, we are really lucky to have the oil to clean the house, help relax in the bath, or even to treat skin infections. Tea tree oil is one of the safest essential oils. However, you should use this oil with caution and test your skin for an allergic reaction if you have not used it before.
Step
Method 1 of 14: Use tea tree oil to treat acne
Step 1. Tea tree oil works slowly, but not as hard as other essential oils
Treat acne 2 times a day after washing your face using warm water. Dip a cotton swab in 5% tea tree oil gel (or your homemade carrier oil mixture), then apply it to the pimple. Real results may be seen within a few months. This oil is less irritating to the skin than over-the-counter medications (such as benzoyl peroxide). These drugs actually also do not provide benefits more quickly.
The use of a stronger mixture may be worth trying. This can give faster results, but there is a possibility of causing allergies. If this happens, stop using this oil
Method 2 of 14: Use tea tree on oral herpes, skin infections, or warts
Step 1. Apply tea tree oil on the skin 2 times a day
Dip a cotton swab or cloth in the 5% tea tree oil mixture and apply it on the problem areas of the skin. It may not solve all problems, but tea tree oil is likely to help relieve the symptoms. Besides being useful for fighting fungi, bacteria, and viruses directly, tea tree oil can also relieve pain and inflammation. Even this oil can also treat warts.
- Consult your doctor first before treating a deep, infected cut or stab wound. Never use tea tree oil to treat burns (whether infected or not.
- Tea tree oil is not suitable for most rashes, but it can be used for rashes caused by nickel allergies.
Method 3 of 14: Eliminate athlete's foot
Step 1. Treat athlete's foot 2 times a day with a strong tea tree oil mixture
Wash your feet with soap and water, dry between your fingers, then apply the tea tree oil mixture to the affected skin. Do this twice a day for at least a few weeks to relieve the symptoms (it can even cure athlete's foot, if you're lucky).
The chances of a cure will increase if you use a stronger mixture of 25% to 50% tea tree oil and solvent oil for the rest. However, this increases the risk of allergies, which can be detrimental if you also frequently use tea tree oil for other things. If you don't want to take this risk, use athlete's foot medication that can be purchased at the pharmacy
Method 4 of 14: Use tea tree oil to control toenail fungus
Step 1. Apply pure tea tree oil on the nails 2 times a day
Wet a cotton bud with tea tree oil, then apply it on the nail that is affected by the fungus. Since you're not using it on your skin, opt for 100% tea tree oil for maximum power against fungus. This routine treatment can make your nails look more beautiful. Unfortunately, this oil can not treat fungus completely.
If you want to take more oil to apply, you should use a new cotton swab instead of using the old one to dye it twice
Method 5 of 14: Add tea tree oil to your shampoo to treat dandruff
Step 1. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the shampoo bottle
Shake the bottle until all the ingredients are well combined, and shake it again before you use it regularly. Within a few weeks, your dandruff scalp will become less itchy and oily.
- For a more accurate comparison, make a mixture of tea tree oil up to 5% max and shampoo for the rest (which is 95%).
- There is a possibility that the tea tree oil will separate and float on the surface of the shampoo. Don't forget to shake the shampoo bottle before use so you don't sting your scalp. If you also want to add other essential oils that aren't as safe as tea tree oil, it's a good idea to make a new mixture in a small container each time you use it.
Method 6 of 14: Add tea tree oil to hot water for coughs and colds
Step 1. Put 2-3 drops of tea tree oil in a pot of hot water and inhale the steam
Place a towel over your head and form it like a tent, then tilt your body forward, over the steam. This traditional medicine has been practiced by people in Australia, where the tea tree originated.
- Consult your doctor first if you have asthma or have other chronic lung or sinus problems.
- Do not drink the water because tea tree oil is toxic if drunk.
Method 7 of 14: Make a tea tree oil spray to remove mold or as an all-purpose cleaner
Step 1. Mix 2 tsp. (10 ml) tea tree oil with 500 ml water
Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the hard surface you want to clean. After that, use a sponge or tissue to wipe it off. For mold (a type of black micro-fungus that often clings to walls) and mildew that is visible and won't go away, spray the affected area until it's wet. Let the mixture soak for at least 1 hour, then scrub with water. If you are using a transparent spray bottle, store the bottle in a dark cupboard to prevent the oil from being damaged by light and heat.
- You can use distilled white vinegar instead of water. This makes the mixture stronger to handle adhering dirt and dust.
- Tea tree oil is toxic if swallowed. Keep babies and pets away from the location you are working with with tea tree oil. When finished, rinse the oiled surface thoroughly.
- Oil and water don't mix so you should always shake this mixture well before using it.
Method 8 of 14: Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the washing machine
Step 1. Add tea tree oil to the wash water to get rid of mildew and bad odors
Add a few drops of pure tea tree oil to the wash bath. This can remove unpleasant odors in the washing machine or laundry that has been submerged for too long which will make it fresh quickly.
Method 9 of 14: Make a bath bath using tea tree oil and fractionated coconut oil
Step 1. Mix 20 drops of tea tree oil for every 1 tbsp. (15 ml) coconut oil for a relaxing bath
Stir in the tea tree and fractionated coconut oil mixture until well combined. Pour 1 tbsp. (15 ml) of mixture into the bath to give a slight aroma of tea tree oil. It produces quite a strong scent. So, don't overuse it.
- Do not add tea tree oil directly to the bath water. Oil and water don't mix, so the pure oil will float on the surface of the water exposing your skin to the harsh tea tree oil. This makes bathing activities unsettling. You can prevent this by mixing tea tree oil with vegetable oil. A good option is fractionated coconut oil because it tastes like silk, not oil.
- If you use essential oils frequently, purchase an alternative oil specifically designed for this purpose online to replace fractionated coconut oil.
Method 10 of 14: Do not ingest tea tree oil
Step 1. Tea tree oil is toxic if swallowed
If you take them, you can lose control of your muscles, feel confused or disoriented, and even pass out.
Method 11 of 14: Keep tea tree oil out of reach of pets
Step 1. Tea tree oil is harmful to dogs, cats, and some other animals
Never use any product that contains tea tree oil directly on the fur and skin of pets. Even products made for pets can kill them. When cleaning with tea tree oil, remove pets and clean the area with water when finished.
Method 12 of 14: Test for an allergic reaction before applying tea tree oil to the skin
Step 1. Put a few drops of diluted tea tree oil under the bandage and observe the reaction
Prepare the product you are going to use (not pure tea tree oil), then apply a few drops of the oil to the pad of the bandage. Leave the bandage on the forearm for about 48 hours (or until a reaction occurs). If your skin feels itchy or red, then you are allergic and don't use tea tree oil on your skin.
If you have 100% pure tea tree oil, dilute it with a solvent oil first. Popular options are avocado oil or jojoba oil, but you can also use peanut oil or vegetable oil (but not other essential oils). We recommend that you dilute it until it reaches a concentration of 3-5%
Method 13 of 14: Use diluted tea tree oil to be on the safe side
Step 1. Tea tree oil is safest to use when diluted
Pure tea tree oil is actually a low risk to the skin, but can cause skin rashes in some people. A skin-safe rule of thumb is products with 5% or less tea tree oil.) If your skin doesn't react to this oil, you can try a stronger mixture (10% or more) for infections like athlete's foot.
- If your skin becomes irritated or red, stop using tea tree oil. Tea tree oil can cause allergies, even if it didn't cause you any problems at first.
- Store tea tree oil in a place away from light, air, and heat because it can break down and cause more skin irritation. A good storage option is an opaque, airtight container placed in the refrigerator.
- Avoid its use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This oil can also cause side effects in prepubescent children.
- If pure tea tree oil is available, you can dilute it yourself with a solvent oil, and measure the amount on an accurate scale. Measuring the amount using the drip method is actually not accurate. However, this can be taken as a rough estimate. One drop of tea tree essential oil mixed with 1 tsp. (5 ml) of solvent oil will reach a concentration of 1%.
Method 14 of 14: Talk to your doctor about using tea tree oil to treat your mouth or vagina
Step 1. Ask your doctor for instructions on handling sensitive areas
Wet interior areas ("mucous membranes"), such as the nose, mouth, eyes, vagina, and ears are particularly sensitive areas. Most essential oils are too harsh for this area. However, tea tree oil is an exception because it can be used in these areas, for example to treat fungal infections. However, that doesn't mean you can safely conduct your own experiments at home. Consult a doctor first, and choose a commercial product that has been tested for use in the area, instead of making your own medicinal ingredients.
Its use in the mouth area is very risky because tea tree oil is toxic if swallowed. Only use products that have a low concentration (e.g. 2.5%), do not ingest them, and avoid their use in children
Tips
- Some tea tree oil is sold in bottles equipped with small nozzles or pipettes, while others are not. If you find it difficult to measure it in drops, try buying and using an eye drop bottle.
- Store tea tree oil in a closed, opaque container at room temperature. Exposure to air, light, and heat makes tea tree oil irritate the skin even more.
- Tea tree oil can be added to a diffuser for aromatherapy. However, pure tea tree oil has a strong aroma like turpentine. Some people don't like this scent if the strength is too high.
Warning
- Never ingest tea tree oil. This can result in confusion, loss of muscle control, or even fainting. If you suspect a child has swallowed this essential oil, give him water to drink, and supervise the child for the next 6 hours. If he has any symptoms, take him to the hospital immediately.
- Tea tree oil can be very harmful to cats, dogs and other pets. Never use it directly on pets in any concentration. Only use low concentration products (eg 5%) where pets may touch.
- In some people, tea tree oil applied to the skin can cause irritation, redness, or itching. Note this even though children have used it safely in the past. A person can become sensitive over time.
- You should not use tea tree oil while pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not apply it directly to the breast if you are breastfeeding.
- Although the exact cause is not known, tea tree oil may have contributed to breast enlargement in some boys. Repeated use of tea tree oil on children's skin may be too risky.
- Talk to your doctor before using tea tree oil around sensitive areas, such as your eyes, ears, or vagina. This oil is generally safe to use on the skin around the nose and mouth, but use it in low concentrations (maximum 5%) and avoid licking the area.
