Tea Tree Oil

D.S. Tea Tree Oil Benefits
1. Hand Sanitizer

• Tea tree oil makes an ideal natural hand sanitizer.
• Studies have shown that it kills several common bacteria and viruses responsible for causing illness, including E. coli, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae (1Trusted Source).
• Moreover, a study testing several types of hand wash shows that adding tea tree oil to the cleansers boosted their effectiveness against E. coli (4Trusted Source).
• Here is a simple recipe to make your own moisturizing, all-natural hand sanitizer using tea tree oil.

2. Insect Repellent

• Tea tree oil may help keep pesky insects away.
• One study found that 24 hours after being treated with tea tree oil, cows had 61% fewer flies than cows not treated with tea tree oil (5Trusted Source).
• Furthermore, a test-tube study revealed that tea tree oil had a greater ability to repel mosquitoes than DEET, the most common active ingredient in commercial insect repellents (6Trusted Source).
• Try this easy-to-make insect repellent using tea tree oil and other natural ingredients.

3. Natural Deodorant

• Tea tree oil's antibacterial effects may help control underarm odor related to perspiration.
• Sweat itself does not smell. However, when secretions from your sweat glands combine with bacteria on your skin, a moderate to strong odor is produced.
• Your underarm area contains a large concentration of these glands and is mainly responsible for what is commonly referred to as "body odor." Tea tree oil's bacteria-fighting properties make it an ideal natural alternative to commercial deodorants and antiperspirants.
• Here is a safe and effective natural deodorant that can be made from tea tree oil and a few other ingredients.

4. Antiseptic for Minor Cuts and Scrapes

• Injuries that result in broken skin make it easy for germs to enter your bloodstream, which can lead to infection.
• Tea tree oil can be used to treat and disinfect minor cuts and abrasions by killing S. aureus and other bacteria that can cause infection in open wounds (1Trusted Source).
• To disinfect a cut or scrape, follow these steps:
•     Clean the cut thoroughly with plain soap and water
•     Mix one drop of tea tree oil with one teaspoon of coconut oil
•     Apply a small amount of the mixture to the injury and cover with a bandage
•     Repeat this process once or twice daily until a scab has formed

5. Boost Wound Healing

• In addition to preventing infection in cuts and abrasions, tea tree oil may also encourage wound healing.
• Research has shown that tea tree oil helps reduce inflammation and triggers the activity of white blood cells that are instrumental in the healing process (3Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).
• In a small study of 10 people with wounds, adding tea tree oil to conventional wound treatment led to decreased healing time in all but one participant (9Trusted Source).
• A few drops of tea tree oil can be added to wound dressing each time a new dressing is applied.

6. Fight Acne

• Tea tree oil can be a powerful weapon against acne. Several studies have shown that it helps reduce the amount and overall severity of acne (10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source).
• In one study, applying a 5% tea tree gel to acne lesions was shown to be more than three times as effective at reducing the number of lesions than a placebo. It was nearly six times as effective in reducing severity (12Trusted Source).
• In another study, tea tree oil was found to be as effective against acne as benzoyl peroxide, the most common anti-acne medication (13Trusted Source).
• Tea tree oil-based acne gels can be purchased at natural grocery stores or from online retailers.
• Alternatively, you can make your own acne treatment by mixing one part tea tree oil with nine parts water and applying the mixture to affected areas with a cotton swab once or twice a day, as needed.

7. Get Rid of Nail Fungus

• Fungal nail infections are quite common. Although they aren't dangerous, they can be unsightly. There are medications that can treat nail fungus, though some people may prefer a more natural approach.
• Tea tree oil has been shown to help get rid of nail fungus when used alone or in combination with other natural remedies (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).
• In a controlled study, people with nail fungus used straight tea tree oil or an antifungal medication for six months. At the end of the study, about 60% of people in each group experienced partial or full resolution of the fungus (15Trusted Source).
• You can use a few drops of tea tree oil alone or mix it with an equal amount of coconut oil and apply it to the affected area. Be sure to wash your hands immediately after applying in order to avoid spreading the fungus to other areas.

8. Chemical-Free Mouthwash

• Research suggests that tea tree oil may fight germs that cause tooth decay and bad breath (16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source).
• One study found that tea tree oil was more effective against plaque-causing bacteria than chlorhexidine, a common disinfectant and oral rinse. What's more, its taste was found to be less objectionable (16Trusted Source).
• On the other hand, an older study reported that tea tree oil didn't seem to have much of an effect on plaque formation (19Trusted Source).
• To make your own chemical-free mouthwash, simply add a drop of tea tree oil to a cup of warm water, mix thoroughly and swish in your mouth for 30 seconds or so.
• Like other mouthwashes, tea tree oil should not be swallowed. It can be toxic if ingested.

9. All-Purpose Cleaner

• Tea tree oil makes a great all-purpose cleaner that also sanitizes surfaces.
• Plus, it does so without leaving traces of chemicals you wouldn't want your family members or pets coming in contact with.
• Here's an easy recipe for an all-natural, all-purpose cleaner:
•     Combine 20 drops of tea tree oil, 3/4 cup of water and a 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle.
•     Shake well until thoroughly mixed.
•     Spray directly onto surfaces and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
•     Make sure to shake the bottle before each use in order to mix the tea tree oil with the other ingredients.

10. Soothe Skin Inflammation

• Tea tree oil may help relieve inflamed skin.
• A common form of skin irritation is contact dermatitis, which occurs when skin comes in contact with an allergen, such as nickel. Exposure to the allergen leads to red, itchy and sometimes painful skin.
• Animal and human research suggest that applying tea tree oil may help reduce the severity of these symptoms (20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source).
• In a study comparing the effects of different treatments for contact dermatitis, tea tree oil was found to reduce symptoms by 40%, which was significantly more than standard medications applied to the skin (22Trusted Source).
• In addition, tea tree oil may provide relief from bug bite reactions by reducing the itching, redness and swelling that occurs when your body releases histamine to defend against the insect's saliva (23Trusted Source).
• Use this recipe to relieve inflamed skin:
•     Combine 10 drops of tea tree oil with one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and one tablespoon of melted coconut oil.
•     Mix well, and store in a sealed container.
•     Apply to the affected area up to twice a day until symptoms resolve.

11. Control Dandruff

• Dandruff, or white flakes of dead skin that fall from the scalp, isn't dangerous.
• However, it can be annoying and embarrassing.
• Although there is little published research on tea tree oil's effectiveness in treating dandruff, one controlled study suggests that it may be helpful.
• In this four-week study, the group who used a shampoo containing tea tree oil had a 40% improvement in dandruff. Moreover, the tea tree group reported significant improvements in dandruff severity, itchiness and greasiness (24Trusted Source).
• To help reduce dandruff, try adding a few drops of tea tree oil to a dollop of shampoo when washing your hair.

12. Treat Athlete's Foot

• Athlete's foot can be frustratingly hard to control.
• Known medically as tinea pedis, athlete's foot is a contagious fungal infection on the feet that can also spread to the toenails and hands. Symptoms include peeling, cracking, blisters and redness.
• Antifungal medications are considered standard treatment for athlete's foot. Yet studies suggest that tea tree oil may be an effective alternative for relieving symptoms (25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source).
• In a controlled study of 158 people, 72% of the tea tree oil group had significant clinical improvement in athlete's foot, compared to 39% in the placebo group (25Trusted Source).
• However, another study found that although tea tree oil helped relieve scaling, inflammation, itching and burning as well as antifungal medication, it wasn't as effective at actually getting rid of the fungus (26Trusted Source).
• Here is a natural treatment to relieve the symptoms of athlete's foot:
•     Combine 1/4 cup arrowroot powder, 1/4 cup baking soda and 20–25 drops of tea tree oil
•     Stir to combine, and place in a covered container
•     Apply to clean, dry feet twice a day

13. Banish Mold on Fruits and Vegetables

• Fresh produce is undeniably delicious and healthy.
• Unfortunately, it's also susceptible to the growth of gray mold known as Botrytis cinerea, particularly in warm, moist climates.
• Studies have shown that tea tree oil's antifungal compounds terpinen-4-ol and 1,8-cineole may help reduce the growth of this mold on fruits and vegetables (27Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source).
• To protect against mold, add 5–10 drops of tea tree oil to water before rinsing your produce and drying it thoroughly.

14. Relieve Psoriasis

• Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition characterized by outbreaks of red, itchy, scaly skin.
• Although there are medications that can improve symptoms, the condition itself is chronic and there is no known cure.
• Tea tree oil contains anti-inflammatory compounds, which, according to emerging evidence, may be helpful for easing psoriasis symptoms (29Trusted Source).
• To provide relief for psoriasis flares, combine 10–15 drops of tea tree oil with two tablespoons of melted coconut oil. Apply this to the affected area 2–3 times per day, as needed.