5 Most Surprising Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

For centuries, the Bundjalung Aborigines in New South Wales have known about the many benefits of tea tree oil. Derived from the Melaleuca alternifolia "tea tree" in Australia, tea tree oil has been used for centuries to heal wounds, treat skin problems, and kill fungal infections. 

In this article, we will go over five amazing benefits of tea tree oil and how you can incorporate it into your daily routine.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

1. Skin Care

Since hitting the wider commercial market, tea tree oil has most commonly been used as a topical and natural acne treatment.

Tea tree oil's antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties help kill acne bacteria and reduce inflammation. Users also report a better experience in using tea tree oil over benzoyl peroxide, which often causes dryness and redness. 

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil can also help reduce redness and swelling for psoriasis and eczema flare ups.

2. Hair Care

If you have a dry scalp or dandruff, tea tree oil could be your solution.

In both cases, tea tree oil helps fight fungus and bacteria that causes scalp irritation. Using a tea tree shampoo or massaging diluted oil into your scalp helps manage these irritation conditions.

Did we mention having a healthy scalp also encourages thick and healthy hair growth? 

In addition to treating scalp issues, tea tree oil has proven to be incredibly effective at killing adult lice and their eggs. You can use the oil as a preventative measure or lice treatment for your kids when they are most prone to get lice. 

3. Oral Care

While there aren't many studies on tea tree oil for oral care, many say it's a wonderful treatment for gum disease. Using the oil either in toothpaste or mouthwash is a gentle way to kill bacteria causing the gum disease. 

Others have reported tea tree oil can help with receding gum lines. If you try adding tea tree oil to your oral care routine, remember not to swallow it, as it can cause nerve damage if ingested. 

4. Sore Throat Treatment

Tea tree oil's antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for treating various bacterial and viral illnesses, particularly sore throats and coughs. The oil can kill even antibiotic resistant bacteria while calming the inflamed mucous membranes.

To soothe a sore throat, gargle diluted tea tree oil and remember not to ingest it. For a cough or congestion, adding tea tree oil to boiling water or a vaporizer and inhaling the steam helps to soothe inflamed tissues in your lungs. 

5. Fungal Infections

In addition to treating scalp fungus, tea tree oil is a great option to treat fungal infections in the feet like athlete's foot and toe fungus. Diluting tea tree oil in a water bath and soaking your feet twice daily will help kill the fungus in no time. 

Using this soaking treatment also helps with any pain or discomfort caused by the infection. 

There are many more benefits of tea tree oil beyond the five we mentioned here. You can also use tea tree oil to kill mildew, freshen your laundry, and disinfect various items around your home. 

If you're interested in trying tea tree oil products, we have a number in stock to check out.