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Though tea tree oil has been used by Indigenous Australians for centuries as a traditional medicine, it has become increasingly popular in alternative medicine and complementary therapy for the last few decades.
Often added into commercial products like soap, toothpaste, and lip balm or sold as an essential oil, it can also be used at home in DIY household cleaners, homemade hand sanitizers, and acne treatments. There are so many healthful and beneficial ways to use tea tree oil.
What is tea tree oil?
Distilled from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant native to Australia, tea tree oil (melaleuca oil) is an essential oil with manifold uses — exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
Tea tree oil is available to consumers as an oil and is an ingredient in many soaps and lotions, as well other over-the-counter beauty products such as shampoos and body washes. It is never to be taken orally since it can cause serious symptoms if swallowed.
Note: Tea tree oil is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can be sold without any research or proof of efficacy. Make sure to consult with your doctor before using any type of essential oil, especially if you are nursing or are pregnant.
The benefits of tea tree oil and how to use it
Relatively inexpensive and safe to use, many of the uses of tea tree oil are medicinal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory in nature.
Herbalist Kylie Wiser implements tea tree oil in a variety of ways like hair care, skincare, and cleaning. “It's a really versatile oil that helps prevent dandruff and acne and is a powerful antibacterial cleaner,” she told Mom.com.
Here are some ways you also can use tea tree oil in your life.
Skin and acne
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help decrease redness and swelling as well as calm and ease painful and irritated skin.
To reduce the possibility of an allergic reaction or skin irritation, dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil† (e.g.: coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil), lotion or cream at 1% to 5% dilution. As with all new products, test tea tree oil on a small patch of skin first to make sure it doesn’t irritate your skin.
†Carrier oils are oils that are used to dilute essential oils and “carry” them to your skin since undiluted oils applied directly to skin can be irritating.
Common uses of tea tree oil for skin include:
- Reducing inflammation
- Psoriasis
- Acne, reduce acne scars
- Oily skin
- Itchy skin
- Dry skin and eczema
- Ringworm
- Antiseptic for small cuts and scrapes
- Ingrown hairs and nails
If you're thinking of using tea tree oil on your kids, pediatrician Dr. Steph Lee advised taking precautions. “For children with eczema or sensitive skin, it’s more likely to be irritating,” the spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics told Mom.com. “If you are using it as a topical treatment for ringworm or teenage acne and a week passes and it isn’t improving, it’s time to ask your pediatrician for help.” Make sure to consult with your doctor before administering any type of essential oils to children.
Tea tree oil for hair and dandruff
As an established antimicrobial and antifungal agent, tea tree oil can help increase oxygen and nutrient supply by unclogging hair follicles, stripping dead skin cell buildup, and clearing away hair oil and products from hair. Plus tea tree oil can protect the scalp from infections.
Tea tree oil can be used to treat:
- Dandruff
- Cradle cap
- Itchy scalp
- Greasy hair
- Lice
Treating athlete’s foot
Tea tree oil has antifungal properties that may help mitigate the symptoms of athlete’s foot such as scaling, itching, burning, and inflammation.
All purpose cleaner and disinfectant
Due to its many antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil is a popular and effective ingredient in homemade and commercial all-purpose cleaners for a chemical-free surface cleaner.
Note: Tea tree oil is NOT recommended for fighting the coronavirus. Please refer to these guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the latest on how to disinfect surfaces of the coronavirus.
Prevent mold on fruits and produce
If your fresh produce is prone to molding before you get a chance to eat it, the antifungal properties of a tea tree oil rinse might be what you need. Add 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil to water as you rinse and then dry your produce thoroughly.
Use with caution: The side effects of tea tree oil
Like all things, if used incorrectly tea tree oil can cause side effects. Do not swallow because tea tree oil can be fatal. Remember to use carrier oils, and avoid contact with your eyes, inner ears, nasal passages, and vaginal and anal cavities.
According to the National Capital Poison Center (NCPC), some side effects of tea tree oil are:
- Skin irritation (redness, itching, burning, stinging, dry or scaly skin)
- Allergic reaction (allergic contact dermatitis)
- Poisonous if swallowed (do not take by the mouth)
- Causes poisoning to cats and dogs if applied to their skin in large amounts
Additional side effects from swallowing tea tree oil can include:
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- Loss of full control over body movement (ataxia)
- Unconsciousness
Some of the side effects from inhalation are:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vertigo
If you notice any of these symptoms, stop usage and call your medical professional if there is trouble breathing or dizziness. In case of ingestion or suspected poison, call the NCPC at 1-800-222-1222.
