Tea Tree Oil Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the tea tree.¹ It has been used for centuries by aboriginal people in Australia, where the plant originates from.² One of the most prevalent tea tree oil benefits is that it kills bacteria and fungi, which makes it a good natural topical solution for certain skin conditions.³ Tea tree oil is available as an essential oil and is used as a component in body care products like soap, shampoo, lip balm, and topical creams.³

Tea Tree Oil Uses and Health Benefits

Since tea tree oil benefits include bacterial- and fungal-killing properties, the oil can be used in a variety of conditions. Tea tree oil uses include:

• Athlete’s Foot - Athlete’s foot is a skin condition caused by a fungus, which usually grows between the toes. A tea tree oil nail fungus solution can help kill this fungus to eliminate the symptoms of athlete’s foot. All you need for a tea tree oil nail fungus treatment is to place a few drops on a cotton ball and swab the affected area a few times per day.
• Anal Fistula (Abscess) - Anal fistula is the byproduct of an infected anal abscess. You can apply tea tree oil topically to help heal anal fistulas. Simply dab a small amount on the affected area.
• Dandruff - Another common solution is to use tea tree oil for hair. This includes treating dandruff by soothing dry, flaky skin.⁴ For the best results when using tea tree oil for hair, add a few drops of the essential oil into your shampoo. Otherwise, you can purchase hair products that already contain the oil.
• Canker Sores - Canker sores are small sores in the mouth. To treat your canker sores, place a small amount of tea tree oil on a cotton swab and hold it to the canker sore as long as possible. It can hurt, but the pain will subside once you rinse your mouth out.

These are just a few tea tree oil benefits. Other common tea tree oil uses include applying tea tree oil for acne and using a tea tree oil lice solution.²

Tea Tree Oil Side Effects and Precautions

Though tea tree oil is generally considered safe, high concentrations can cause skin irritation and even allergic reactions in some people.¹ When applying the oil topically on the skin, such as using tea tree oil for acne, it’s best to dilute the solution if it is not already diluted.¹ You can dilute it with vegetable, olive, or almond oil.³ Most cosmetic products, such as tea tree oil lice shampoo, is already diluted enough that it’s safe to use.Tea tree oil should not be used in the ears.³ It is also dangerous when swallowed. If swallowed, side effects may include:

• Drowsiness
• Rash
• Disorientation
• Loss of muscle control¹

For this reason, it is best to keep tea tree oil out of reach of children. If you have never used tea tree oil before, apply a small amount topically to see how your skin reacts. It’s also best to talk with your healthcare provider about any complementary treatment approaches you are currently using.

References

1. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/tea/treeoil.htm
2. http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/tea-tree-oil.aspx
3. http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/tn2873spec
4. https://draxe.com/tea-tree-oil-uses-benefits/