Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil, explains the UWA Tea Tree Oil Research Group, is the essential oil steam distilled from the Australian plant Melaleuca alternifolia (unique to Australia and native to Northern New South Wales). Tea tree oil is usually clear to very pale golden in color and it exudes a fresh, camphor-like scent.

This oil is often called a “medicine cabinet in a bottle” and is effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses and stimulates the immune system. Here are 20 ways to use this magical formula for health and for the home.

But first, two important notes:
*Make sure it comes in a dark glass bottle with a dropper. This will prevent light from shining in and reducing the oil’s potency.*Do NOT ingest it orally.

20 Great Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil

For Health

1. Use a dab to treat acne.

2. An anti-fungal for treating Athlete’s Foot,
eczema, various yeast infections, etc.

3. An antiseptic to be used on cuts and burns.

4. An anti-viral: it may lessen the symptoms of colds and flu.
Try using a few drops in the bath.

5. Add to a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion.

6. Add a small amount to your shampoo for better manageable hair.

7. A small amount added to your bath can help with persistent body odor.

8. Treating sinus infection.

9. For dandruff and dry scalp.

10. In the form of aromatherapy, tea tree oil is used to treat colds,
persistent coughs, acne, toothaches, and sunburn.


For Cleaning

11. To create an all-purpose cleaner,
combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in
2 cups of water in a spray bottle.

12. Another version would be 14 ounces of water with
1 ounce of Murphy’s oil soap and 10 drops of tea tree oil.

13. Mix the above solution with kosher salt to scrub bathtub and bathroom tiles.

14. Add a few drops to dishwasher dispenser, then fill with a green dishwashing soap.

15. A few drops added to each load of laundry leave your clothes smelling cleaner.

16. Control mold with a tea tree oil/water spray.

17. Remove mustiness with that same tea tree oil/water spray.

18. To keep germs at bay, spray it on high chairs, car seats, and other high traffic spots.

19. 15 drops in a quart of water can be an effective insect repellent.

20. Be sure to take some with you when hiking and camping to put directly
on insect bites or blisters.


Planet Green is the multi-platform media destination devoted to the environment and dedicated to helping people understand how humans impact the planet and how to live a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle. Its two robust websites, planetgreen.com and TreeHugger.com, offer original, inspiring, and entertaining content related to how we can evolve to live a better, brighter future. Planet Green is a division of Discovery Communications.

No comments:

Post a Comment