Tea Tree Oil Uses and Benefits
Tea tree oil benefits focus on hair and skin properties. Tea tree essential oil uses include moisturizing the scalp and making skin feel healthier. This article covers the following topics.
- Essential oils overview
- How the oil is made and its fragrance profile
- Tea tree essential oil benefits
- How to use tea tree oil
- Safety and precautions
- Why you should choose organic essential oils
- Why you should choose Cliganic essential oils
- Where to buy tea tree oil.
Essential Oils Overview
Essential oils are concentrated versions of the natural oils found in plants and trees. The oils come from the leaves, fruits, bark, flowers, seeds, roots, or resins. Most essential oils are extracted by steam distillation. However, essential oils made from citrus fruits use a process called cold pressing.
Essential oils have been used in various cultures for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians incorporated essential oils throughout their daily lives. Essential oils are a central element of Indian Ayurvedic medicine—the oldest system of medicine in the world. Essential oils were also used in ancient Greece, Rome, and China.
Today, essential oils are still valued for their aromatic and cosmetic qualities. Aromatherapists use essential oils to promote health and well-being. Many people use essential oils for hair and skin care, and to clean their homes.
What Is Tea Tree Oil?
Where does tea tree oil come from?
The oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)—a small tree in the myrtle family that is native to Australia. The oil, which is also called melaleuca tea tree oil or simply melaleuca oil, was used by the native Aboriginal people to treat cuts and wounds.
Tea tree essential oil is one of the most useful essential oils and has been called a “medicine cabinet in a bottle.” The tea tree oil smell is often described as medicinal, woodsy, earthy, and herbaceous. Not everyone enjoys the oil’s scent, but it has so many good uses that it is an important part of any essential oil toolkit.
What Is Tea Tree Oil Good For?
What are the benefits of tea tree oil?
With all of its properties people wonder exactly what is tea tree essential oil good for? The benefits of the oil are numerous and wide-ranging. Although most of the attention focuses on using tea tree oil for skin, it does many other things as well.
So what does tea tree oil do? Tea tree benefits include:
- Minimizing the appearance of scars
- Cleaning
What Can Tea Tree Oil Be Used For?
This section provides numerous tips and techniques on tea tree oil uses, including information on how to use tea tree oil for skin. Numerous DIY recipes are provided for using the oil by itself and in various blends. Lavender and tea tree oil are often paired together. Other oils that blend well with tea tree include lemon, eucalyptus, bergamot, and rosemary.
When creating an essential oil blend, follow these guidelines.
- Place the oils in a dark bottle (preferably amber-colored) to protect them from light. A two-ounce bottle should work for most recipes.
- After combining the oils, label the bottle with the ingredients, date, and intended use.
- Store the bottle at room temperature or in the refrigerator away from light and heat.
- Be sure to put the cap back on immediately after use as oxygen can affect an oil’s composition.
- Shake well before each use to combine the oils.
Tea Tree Oil Cream - for All Skin Types including Acne Prone Skin
Melt shea butter in a double boiler. Remove from heat, let cool, and then stir in oils. Add Vitamin C powder and mix with an electric mixer. Store in a reusable airtight container. Apply to face up to three times daily.
- ¼ cup shea butter
- 2 tablespoons rosehip seed oil
- 1/ tablespoon Vitamin C powder
- 6 drops tea tree
- 6 drops lavender
Tea Tree Oil Face Wash
Combine ingredients in an 8-ounce foaming soap pump bottle and top with distilled water. Shake before use.
- Distilled water
- 2/3 cup liquid castile soap
- 1 teaspoon jojoba oil
- 8 drops patchouli
- 8 drop oregano
- 6 drops tea tree
- 6 drops lemongrass
- 4 drops palmarosa
- 3 drop manuka
Tea Tree Oil Face Mask
Combine clay and aloe vera and mix well. Add in water and stir until a thick paste forms. Add in oils and blend thoroughly. Spread over a clean, damp face—avoiding the eye area. Keep on for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
- 3 tablespoons aloe vera
- 2 tablespoons green clay
- 1 teaspoon distilled water
- 2 drops lavender
- 1 drop orange
- 1 drop tea tree
Tea Tree Oil Spot Treatment
Mix ingredients in bowl and store in an airtight storage container. Apply up to three times a day.
- ¼ cup aloe vera gel
- 10 drops geranium
- 10 drops lavender
- 6 drops tea tree
- 6 drops lemongrass
Tea Tree Oil for Skin
Tea tree oil is good for all types of skin, including oily and dry skin. It also works well as a deodorant. Below are DIY recipes for how to use tea tree oil for skin.
Tea Tree Oil Soap
Melt glycerin in a double boiler, keeping heat as low as possible. Once melted, stir in the oil and pour into a mold. Let sit until cooled and firm.
- 2 cups glycerin soap base
- 2 tablespoons tea tree essential oil
Tea Tree Oil Lotion for Dry Skin
Heat shea butter, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil in a double boiler until melted. Remove from heat and add in essential oils. Stir well. Transfer to airtight glass containers and let stand until firm. Apply to affected areas as needed.
- ½ cup shea butter
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup sweet almond oil
- 12 drops lavender
- 12 drops palmarosa
- 8 drops tea tree
Tea Tree Oil Deodorant Spray
Combine ingredients in 4-ounce spray bottle. Shake well before each use.
- ¼ cup distilled water
- ¼ apple cider vinegar
- 15 drops lavender
- 5 drops tea tree
- 5 drops lemongrass
Tea Tree Oil Body Wash
Combine ingredients in a bottle with a squirt or flip top. Shake well before each use.
- 2/3 cup liquid castile soap
- ¼ cup raw honey
- 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
- 25 drops lavender
- 25 drops tea tree
- 10 drops peppermint
After Sun Spray
Combine ingredients in spray bottle and shake well before each use. Spray on affected area and let air dry.
- 2 ounces water
- 15 drops lavender
- 10 drops tea tree
Tea Tree Oil to reduce the appearance of Scars
If you want to use tea tree oil to reduce the appearance of acne scars, you can either add 12 drops of tea tree essential oil to 1 ounce of jojoba oil or use the recipe below.
Post-Blemish Cream to Reduce the Appearance of Scars
Heat shea butter in a double boiler until melted. Remove from heat and add in rest of oils and mix well. Put in the refrigerator until mixture is firm but not hard (30 to 60 minutes). Then whip with an electric mixer until light and airy. Store in glass containers and apply to scars daily.
- 4 tablespoons shea butter
- 4 tablespoons jojoba oil
- 12 drops frankincense
- 12 drops lavender
- 10 drop helichrysum
- 10 drops palmarosa
- 5 drops tea tree
Tea Tree Oil for Hair
Many people use tea tree oil to hydrate the scalp. You can either add a few drops to one ounce of your favorite shampoo or conditioner or make your own using the recipe below.
Shampoo/Conditioner
Combine ingredients and shake well before each use.
- 2 cups of organic shampoo or conditioner base (Stephensons is a popular brand)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 8 drop lavender
- 7 drops tea tree
Hair Conditioning Oil
Combine 10 drops tea tree oil into 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil. Massage into scalp and let sit for 10 minutes. Shampoo and condition normally.
Stronger Looking Nail Treatment
In a two-ounce dropper bottle, add oils listed below and then top with jojoba oil. (You could also use tea tree oil alone.) Apply 1 to 2 drops to nail, surrounding skin, and beneath nail bed. Repeat up to 3 times daily.
- 7 drops tea tree
- 5 drops oregano
- 4 drops thyme
- 4 drops lemon
Tea Tree Oil for Feet
Tea tree can combat foot odor or hydrate rough feet.
Foot Odor Powder
Combine ingredients in a sugar shaker and shake well. Put powder on dry feet before putting on socks and shoes. Alternatively, put 1 teaspoon of powder into socks before putting them on.
- 1 cup baking soda
- 20 drops tea tree
Foot Soak
Put water and oil in a foot bath and stir well. Soak feet for 15 minutes and then pat dry.
- 4 cups cool water
- 10 drops tea tree
Tea Tree Oil for Cleaning
Tea tree is fantastic for cleaning!
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Combine vinegar and tea tree in a spray bottle and spray toilet bowl, seat, lid, and handle. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. While waiting, sprinkle baking soda inside bowl and scrub with toilet brush. Use a clean cloth to clean areas previously sprayed.
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 cup white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon tea tree
All-Purpose Spray
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake before each use. Avoid using on marble or granite as vinegar might affect these surfaces.
- 2 cups hot water
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 10 drops tea tree
Yoga Mat Cleaner
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle, shake well before each use, and spray on yoga mat or gym equipment as needed.
- 1 ounce distilled water
- 10 drops lemon
- 10 drops tea tree
Benefits of Tea Tree Oil
Calming Blend
Combine the ingredients below and mix well before massaging into chest area. Use up to four times a day.
- 2 ounces jojoba oil
- 20 drops eucalyptus
- 20 drops lavender
- 20 drops tea tree
Cleaning Blend
Combine ingredients in spray bottle, shake well before each use, spray on affected areas and allow to air dry.
- 2 ounces purified water
- 20 drops tea tree
Comforting Blend
Combine ingredients and dab onto affected areas with a cotton ball. Another alternative is to combine 1 teaspoon jojoba oil and 20 drops tea tree and apply as needed.
- 1 ounce calamine lotion
- 3 drops lavender
- 3 drops tea tree
Diffusing Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil aroma benefits focus on calming the room and diffusing relaxing aromas. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for your essential oil diffuser.
Clean Blend
- 2 drops lavender
- 2 drops tea tree
- 2 drops thyme
Room Blend
- 4 drop tea tree
- 4 drops lemon
- 4 drops peppermint
- 4 drops eucalyptus
Calming Relief
- 5 drops eucalyptus
- 5 drops peppermint
- 4 drops tea tree
- 2 drops lemon
Tea Tree Essential Oil Safety and Precautions
Can you ingest tea tree oil?
No. Tea tree oil can be toxic if ingested.
Tea tree oil dangers and tea tree oil side effects focus on skin irritation, which is a possibility with many essential oils. For this reason, always use diluted tea tree oil on your skin. We recommend diluting the oil with a carrier oil, such as Cliganic’s 100% organic cold pressed jojoba oil. Perform a patch test to check for allergic reactions.
There have been reports of dogs experiencing breathing problems after being exposed to tea tree oil. For this reason, we don’t recommend diffusing tea tree essential oil near pets.
Experts recommend avoiding the use of oxidized tea tree essential oil. Use dark-colored bottles and close the bottle tightly after each use. Other guidelines include:
- Don’t use an essential oil diffuser for longer than 20 to 30 minutes.
- Don’t use essential oils near eyes or mucous membranes.
- Store essential oils out of reach from children and pets.
- Do not ingest essential oils.
- Wash your hands after using essential oils.
Why Choose Certified Organic Tea Tree Oil?
Cliganic’s organic tea tree oil is certified USDA organic, which means 100% of ingredients are certified organic and free of synthetic additives (including pesticides, dyes, and chemical fertilizers). Also, certified organic products are processed without using genetic engineering, industrial solvents, or irradiation. By choosing a certified organic product, you’ll know you’re getting pure tea tree oil that was produced using environmentally-friendly methods.
Why Choose Cliganic Tea Tree Essential Oil?
We believe that Cliganic makes the best tea tree oil on the market, and we think you’ll agree. Cliganic’s natural tea tree oil stands apart because of our commitment to purity, organic materials, and quality packaging.
Our organic tea tree oil is manufactured and packaged to the highest standards. Our bottles are made of premium dark amber glass—the best container for protecting oils from UV light. Each bottle has a German dropper cap, which gives you better control when dispensing the oil. This cap reduces waste and accidental spillage—making it the perfect choice for DIY recipes.