Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant, which is native to Australia. For centuries, the indigenous people of Australia used tea tree leaves for their healing properties. Today, Australian tea tree oil is gaining popularity around the world for its numerous health and beauty benefits.
In this blog post, we will explore 51 different ways you can use tea tree oil to improve your health, home and beauty routine. Tea tree oil is a versatile natural remedy that should have a place in every home.
1. Acne Treatment
One of the most popular uses for tea tree oil today is as a natural acne treatment. Studies have shown tea tree oil helps fight acne causing bacteria. It can be applied directly to pimples and acne prone areas using a cotton swab. It is effective at reducing inflammation and redness associated with breakouts.
2. Sore Throat Relief
At the first sign of a sore throat, reach for the tea tree oil. Add a few drops to warm water and gargle to kill bacteria. The antibacterial compounds found in tea tree oil can help speed recovery from sore throats.
3. Natural Deodorant
Sweat and bacteria combine to cause body odor. Tea tree oil’s antibacterial agents inhibit odor causing bacteria. Add a few drops to your regular deodorant or make your own all natural deodorant recipe with tea tree oil.
4. Foot Soak for Athlete’s Foot
The moist environment inside shoes makes the perfect breeding ground for fungus. Treat athlete’s foot with a tea tree oil foot soak. It will help destroy the pesky fungi.
5. Warts
Applying tea tree oil directly to warts may help remove them naturally. The oil seems to work by destroying the virus causing cells. Repeat applications often result in the wart disappearing entirely.
6. Psoriasis Relief
Psoriasis causes uncomfortable skin plaques. The anti-inflammatory activity of tea tree oil helps provide relief from the itching and redness. It can be blended with coconut oil and applied to affected areas.
7. Dry Scalp Remedy
Mix a few drops of tea tree into your regular shampoo to help treat a dry, flaky scalp. The antibacterial and anti-fungal properties help kill off any organisms irritating your scalp. It also works great on dandruff.
8. Hand Sanitizer
Kill microbes on your hands naturally by adding tea tree oil to aloe vera gel. Just mix in a few drops to make your own moisturizing hand sanitizer. It removes more bacteria than commercial options.
9. Mosquito Repellent
Stay protected from mosquito bites by making your own natural bug spray. Combine tea tree oil, witch hazel, vanilla extract and water in a spray bottle. The strong aroma helps deter mosquitos.
10. Eliminate Foot Odor
Freshen sweaty, smelly feet by adding tea tree oil to foot soaks or foot powder. It will help destroy odor causing bacteria. Add several drops to each sock or shoe to kill fungi.
11. Natural Mouthwash
Kill bad breath causing bacteria naturally with tea tree oil mouthwash. Simply add a drop or two to a cup of warm water and swish around your mouth. You can also add tea tree oil to your toothpaste or toothbrush.
12. Laundry Freshener
Skip the synthetic fragrances and use tea tree oil to naturally freshen laundry. Just add 5-10 drops per load. It leaves clothes smelling refreshed. Use it especially after exercise clothes have built up an odor.
13. Mold Killer
Tea tree oil’s anti-fungal components make it great at killing mold around the home. Wipe down moldy areas using a spray of water and several drops of tea tree oil to remove it naturally. It helps prevent mold from recurring.
14. Skin Tags Remover
Skin tags can be unsightly and irritating. Get rid of them naturally with the application of tea tree oil 1-2 times per day. The oil often causes them to dry up and fall off within a week or two.
15. Body Odor Reducer
Embarrassing body odor often develops as we age. Counteract this by adding tea tree oil to your body wash routine. The antimicrobial effects inhibit the bacteria responsible for BO. It leaves you smelling fresh.
16. Air Freshener
Eliminate funky smells from your home using tea tree oil. Add 10-15 drops to a spray bottle filled with water. Mist around any area that needs freshening up, especially bathrooms. It leaves a clean, refreshing scent.
17. Natural Pest Control
Keep pests at bay with the aroma of tea tree oil. Add some to cotton balls and place throughout your home. Mice, rats and roaches dislike the strong smell and will stay away. It’s safe for kids and pets.
18. Face Wash
Skip the chemicals and opt for tea tree oil infused face wash. Add a few drops to your regular cleanser to boost bacteria busting power. It will deep clean pores and leave your complexion glowing. The oil is gentle on sensitive skin.
19. Bad Breath Treatment
Bacteria on your tongue contribute to bad breath. Treat this naturally by using tea tree oil as a tongue scraper cleanser. Place 2-3 drops onto your tongue scraper. The oil will kill odor causing microbes leaving your breath fresh.
20. Deodorize Shoes
If your shoes have begun smelling less than pleasant, tea tree oil is here to help. Add 10 drops to each shoe and let it sit overnight. The antibacterial compounds will destroy any smelly bacteria and leave them smelling like new.
21. Disinfect Kitchen Counters
Your kitchen is filled with lots of unseen bacteria. Make sure you keep countertops clean by creating a powerful tea tree oil cleaner. Just mix 2 tablespoons of the oil with water and vinegar in a spray bottle.
22. Drain Cleaner
Clogged, stinky drains often develop grime and bacterial buildup. Clear them out naturally with the bacteria fighting power of tea tree oil. Pour some down the drain before bed. Let it sit overnight then flush with boiling water.
23. Makeup Brush Cleaner
Dirty makeup brushes transfer bacteria to your face. Keep your brushes fresh and disinfected by cleaning them weekly with a tea tree oil makeup brush spray. Just fill a cup with water and add several drops of oil. Swirl brushes gently and rinse. The oil will break down makeup and kill acne causing germs.
24. Shaving Cream
Elevate your shaving routine by adding tea tree oil to your shaving cream. It acts as an antiseptic lowering the chance of razor bumps and burns. Simply mix in 5 drops per dollop of shaving cream before applying to skin.
25. Ingrown Hair Treatment
Ingrown hairs can be irritated and painful. applied to the ingrown spot helps kill bacteria and reduce inflammation. With regular application, the inflammation and redness will decrease allowing the ingrown hair to rise to the skin’s surface.
26. Boil Treatment
Bring a boil or skin abscess to a head faster by applying diluted tea tree oil. Mix it with coconut oil and dab it on the affected area several times a day. Tea tree oil can help destroy the bacteria inside the boil.
27. Fungal Rash Soother
If you develop a fungal skin infection, tea tree oil can be used as a topical antifungal treatment. Dilute with coconut oil and apply to ringworm, athletes foot or other fungal rashes. The oil will help relieve itch and redness.
28. Deodorize Garbage Can
Even clean garbage cans can get stinky from food waste buildup. Freshen up garbage cans by spraying the inside with a tea tree oil cleaning solution. The antibacterial properties will eliminate odors.
29. Makeup Remover
Remove stubborn, long wearing makeup safely with an all natural tea tree oil makeup remover recipe. Combine tea tree oil with coconut, almond or olive oil. Apply to a cotton pad and gently wipe away makeup. Rinse face when finished.
30. Treat Eczema
Soothe inflamed, irritated skin caused by eczema with antimicrobial tea tree oil. Add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer and apply liberally throughout the day. This helps reduce flare up duration and severity.
31. Fight Acne Scars
Acne scars form after severe breakouts heal. Fade the look of scars faster by massaging diluted tea tree oil into them daily. The oil stimulates collagen production reducing indented acne scars.
32. Kill Head Lice
Head lice are stubborn but tea tree oil can help get rid of them for good. Combine it with coconut oil and work through the hair from roots to tips. Comb out nits with a fine tooth comb. Repeat every few days until no lice are left.
33. Soften cuticles
Before giving yourself a manicure, massage tea tree oil into your nail beds and cuticles. This moisturizes and softens cuticles making nails easier to trim and push back. It also helps treat nail fungus.
34. Toenail Fungus Treatment
Dip a cotton swab in undiluted tea tree oil and run it under the tip of infected toenails. Apply morning and night for several weeks to kill stubborn fungal infections. Trim toenails after applying so the oil reaches the fungus under nails.
35. Poison Ivy Soother
Take the itch and sting out of poison ivy rashes with tea tree oil’s anti-inflammatory powers. Create a cooling tea tree spray by adding several drops of oil to water. Spritz onto affected areas for immediate relief.
36. Natural Insect Repellent
Keep mosquitoes, ticks and biting flies at bay naturally with tea tree oil. Just mix into a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and rub onto exposed skin. Reapply every few hours for continued protection.
37. Deep Clean Cuts and Scrapes
Clean minor cuts naturally with tea tree oil’s antibacterial abilities. After washing with soap and water, dab on some diluted tea tree oil using a cotton swab. This helps prevent infection and aids natural healing.
38. Improve Pet Skin Problems
Your pet can benefit from tea tree oil too. Add a few drops when bathing your dog or cat to kill fleas, mites and bacteria causing skin issues. Consult your vet before use. Avoid direct contact with eyes and nose.
39. Deep Hair Conditioner
Boost moisture in your locks with a weekly tea tree oil hair mask. Add 5-10 drops of oil to your regular hair mask recipe. Apply after shampooing, put on a shower cap and let sit for 15-30 minutes before rinsing.
40. Hand Sanitizer Spray
Make your own natural hand sanitizer spray for on the go. All it takes is mixing several drops of tea tree oil with filtered water in a small spray bottle. Spritz over hands when soap and water are not available.
41. All Purpose Surface Cleaner
Mix up an all purpose tea tree oil surface cleaning spray. Fill a bottle with 1 cup water, 1⁄2 cup vinegar and 10-15 drops tea tree oil. Use on countertops, bathroom surfaces and more to kill bacteria.
42. Clear Sinus Congestion
Help open up blocked nasal passages by inhaling tea tree oil steam. Add several drops of oil along with eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water. Place a towel over your head and carefully breathe in the vapors. This provides sinus headache relief too.
43. Jock Itch Treatment
The fungal infection known as jock itch causes an uncomfortable rash. Treat it naturally with a daily application of tea tree oil. Combine with a carrier oil and spread onto the affected area. Relief will come within a week or two.
44. Eliminate Mildew
Mildew thrives in damp areas and can be difficult to get rid of. Make a tea tree oil spray by adding a few drops to water along with hydrogen peroxide. Spray onto shower tiles, window frames and other prone areas to kill and prevent mildew.
45. Deodorize Trash Can
Freshen a stinky garbage can by filling it with warm soapy water and 5-10 drops of tea tree oil. Let it sit overnight. The next day, dump out water and rinse. The antibacterial oil eliminates built up gunk and bad odors.
46. Soothe Chicken Pox
Take the itch out of chicken pox with antimicrobial tea tree oil. Create a calming bath by adding 5-10 drops of oil to the warm water and soak the affected areas. Dab oil directly onto spots for extra itch relief.
47. Reduce Razor Burn
Razor burn can be painful and unsightly. Soothe skin by applying diluted tea tree oil after shaving. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it will help prevent red bumps and skin irritations from developing.
48. Fight Acne Causing Bacteria
Tea tree oil is highly effective at destroying Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne. Apply it directly to pimples using a Q-tip and watch them disappear. It helps spots heal faster with less redness and swelling.
49. Calm Rashes
Bring relief to uncomfortable skin rashes using tea tree oil’s anti-inflammatory powers. Create a soothing lotion by mixing it with aloe vera gel. Apply throughout the day to itchy rashes caused by poison ivy, heat, allergic reactions or eczema. The cool sensation helps reduce swelling and redness fast.
50. Cold Sore Treatment
Shorten the lifespan of painful cold sores with tea tree oil. At the first tingle dab oil onto the area using a cotton swab. The powerful antiviral compounds can help halt progression of cold sores before they fully form.
51. Homemade Mouthwash
Skip the alcohol and chemicals found in commercial mouthwashes and opt for an all natural tea tree oil mouthwash instead. Add several drops of oil to a cup of warm water. Swish around your mouth for 30 seconds. It leaves breath minty fresh.
As you can see, tea tree oil is a versatile essential oil that offers an abundance of uses. It is a great multi-purpose natural remedy that should be included in every home’s medicine cabinet. With its powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties it can help treat a variety of conditions.
The next time you are looking for an effective, natural solution, consider reaching for tea tree oil. Just be sure to dilute it properly before applying it topically and perform a patch test to check for any allergic reaction. Used correctly, tea tree oil can improve many facets of your life from skin to oral care.