Tea tree essential oil is one no home aromatherapy kit should be without! It is a great all-around oil with antiviral, anti-fungal, anesthetic, and antibacterial properties. Tea tree is also a great natural deodorizer. You may find the scent of the essential oil a little medicinal, but you can always combine tea tree with one or two of the other oils in your kit for a more pleasant smell!
NOTE: There are artificial products that have greater antibacterial or anti-fungal properties, but as far as natural remedies go, you can’t beat tea tree oil!
Tea tree is one of the few essential oils that you can use undiluted directly on the skin, if you so choose. It is frequently used to treat athlete’s foot, ringworm, and other fun fungi. Add a few drops to your favorite shampoo to help fight lice. Tea tree oil can also be used to treat yeast infections!
Like eucalyptus, tea tree is good for treating colds. The sharp scent helps ease congestion. So if eucalyptus is too strong for you, tea tree oil may be a gentler alternative. If you use a vaporizer/humidifier, put a drop or two of tea tree oil on the unit where the steam comes out. (Mine has a nifty little cup area for essential oils!) If you don’t have a humidifier, you can just put a drop of tea tree oil on a cotton ball or tissue and keep it near you while you work. You could also mix a drop with some petroleum jelly and rub it on your chest – a kind of homemade chest rub!
In general, tea tree is a good healer. Use it to relieve the pain and itch of minor stings, burns, and abrasions. Mix with chamomile for a great moisturizer!
WARNING: Tea tree essential oil is for external use only.