What is Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, a tree native to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.

To avoid confusion, this tea tree tree has nothing to do with the tea plant from which tea is made.

Originally, tea tree oil was used by the aborigines as a traditional medicine. They broke the twigs of the tea tree tree, and inhaled the extracts to treat colds.

Tea tree oil contains a number of chemical compounds, including terpinen-4-ol, which research indicates may help kill bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Tea tree oil also increases the activity level of your white blood cells, which help protect your body against viruses and other infections.

These properties make tea tree an excellent natural remedy for treating all kinds of bacterial infections that negatively impact our skin. Such as eczema, fungal nail and skin fungi.

Read below for what and how you can use tea tree oil in your daily routine.

Is Tea Tree Safe?

If you only use it externally and diluted, tea tree is generally safe. Some people are sensitive or allergic to tea tree.

The first time you use tea tree oil, it is therefore best to apply a drop, diluted with a carrier oil, to a cotton swab and apply it to your hand or arm, to see if you react sensitively to this oil. Then wait 24h.

If there is no reaction, you are not allergic to this oil, and it is safe to use.

Do not use tea tree oil orally, as it can be toxic. It is therefore better to keep your tea tree oil (just like all other essential oils) out of the reach of small children.

When using, keep in mind that it is best to dilute the tea tree with water or a carrier oil. The more sensitive your skin, the smaller the ratio of tea tree to this carrier oil should be.

Application

• In your homemade disinfecting hand gel. Add some tea tree oil to your DIY hand gel for an extra antibacterial effect. Read here more about making your own disinfectant hand gel.
• In your natural deodorant.
• In your foot bath: Dissolve about 10 drops to dissolve in a large bowl of warm water.
• To repair wounds or nail infections: Mix 5 drops of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil, and apply it to the wounds with a bandage around it. Apply the tea tree and coconut oil 1-2 times a day until the wound is healed.
• Against acne: Mix a few drops of tea tree with a cup of water. The ratio is 1/10 tea tree and 9/10 water. Apply it to the infected skin via a cotton swab.
• Against dandruff: Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your natural shampoo to reduce the symptoms of dandruff.