10 Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is distilled from the leaves of the Melaleuca Alternifolia, a plant found in Australia. The ability of this oil to kill germs and clean effectively has made it important and necessary for indigenous Aboriginal Australians throughout history.  

10 Benefits of Tea Tree Oil:

1. Hand Sanitizer
2. Healing Injuries
3. Fight Acne
4. Fight Fungus
5. Bug Repellant
6. All-Purpose Cleaner
7. Hair and Scalp Refresher
8. Mouthwash
9. Lice Killer
10. Natural Deodorant

Read more in-depth about the powers of tea tree below. Tea tree will quickly become a staple in your household for its natural healing and antiseptic abilities. Please note: tea tree is one of the most powerful essential oils and should not be used around cats or dogs.

1. Hand Sanitizer: Regularly using tea tree oil as a natural hand sanitizer may help kill bacteria that are responsible for colds, flu and other illness.  
2. Injury Healing: Tea tree oil is often used to prevent the infection of minor cuts and abrasions. It can also be used to reduce inflammation and triggers the activity of white blood cells that speed up the healing process. Tea tree oil can also lessen the likeliness of an injury to scar afterwards. After Dana Young with The Baconer and her three girls got ear piercings she was looking for a natural way to help the healing process. "We all needed something to help bring swelling down, etc. tea tree oil + coconut oil worked incredibly well."
3. Fight Acne: Tea tree has been shown to reduce the number of lesions and severity of acne and is considered as effective as benzoyl peroxide. The oil helps to reduce the appearance of acne by calming redness and reducing and lightening previous acne scars. 
4. Fight Fungus: The use of tea tree oil may help with the symptoms of fungal growth on the skin. Scaling, inflammation, and itching have all reduced after consistently using tea tree oil topically. When used in combination with other remedies, tea tree oil has been shown to relieve the symptoms and clear up athletes’ foot. Milana Perepyolkina with Gypsy Energy Scents frequently uses tea tree oil on injuries for its anti-fungal properties. "When my daughter got athlete's foot, I got rid of it with several drops applied on feet at night for one week."
5. Bug Repellant: Tea tree oil is known to kill or repel insects. In some cases, it has been as effective or more effective than more standard harsh insecticides or repellents. 
6. All-Purpose Cleaner:  The natural anti-microbial action of the oil helps to kill bacteria and fungi in areas such as the bathroom or kitchen, while the neutralizing scent leaves your home smelling fresh and clean. Tea tree oil is a great option for chemical-free cleaning. 
7. Hair and Scalp Refresher: You can use tea tree oil to treat lackluster hair and dandruff by removing chemicals and dead skin cells from the scalp. Using tea tree oil on your hair may help it to stay healthy and moisturized, promoting hair growth.  
8. Mouthwash: The antimicrobial properties in tea tree oil help fight germs that cause tooth decay and bad breath. Tea tree oil can actually be more effective when It comes to removing plaque-causing bacteria and less drying than regular mouthwashes but be sure not to swallow. Dr. Chris Norris with Sleep Standards swears by using tea tree oil as mouthwash to prevent tooth decay. "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. Do not swallow it as it can be toxic if ingested."
9. Lice: Tea tree oil can help rid yourself of lice who are increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotic treatments. Tests show that tea tree oil was effective at killing lice and mites, eradicating 100-percent of the parasites in under 30 minutes. 
10. Natural deodorant: The combination of sweat and bacteria on the surface of the skin can lead to the development of unpleasant odors. The strong antibacterial effects of tea tree oil may help to combat underarm odor. Whether you’re looking to use natural ingredients for your personal health, or for the environment, tea tree oil is a great option.  

Disclaimer: These claims about possible health benefits have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease. Always spot check on a small portion of skin to test against allergies or reactions before applying to large areas. Keep all products in a cool dark area.