Tea Tree Oil

First - Be careful when buying Tea Tree Oil. Tea Tree Oil is available commercially in a range of grades. It is worthwhile to use the best quality oil you can find. Very often, you get what you pay for. Make sure to find out what kind of Tea Tree Oil you are getting.

You want to look at the Cineole and Terpinen-4-ol numbers.
Cineole:
The lower the number the better. Tree oils with high cineole content are thought to be of poor quality and more likely to cause skin irritation.

Terpinen-4-ol: The higher the number the better. Terpinen-4-ol appears responsible for most of the antimicrobial activity of tea tree oil.

Australian standard for Tea Tree Oil (AS2782-1985) requires a maximum cineol content of 15% and a minimum terpinen-4-ol of 30%.
Categories of Tea Tree Oil: Cineole / Terpinen-4-ol Concentrations:
Pharmaceutical Grade: 3% or less Cineole; 37% or more Terpinen-4-ol
Cosmetic Grade: 5% or less Cineole; 35% or more Terpinen-4-ol
Technical Grade: 10% or less Cineole; 30% or more Terpinen-4-ol


Properties: aromatic, antiseptic, anesthetic (mild), antibacterial, antimicrobial, disinfectant, fungicide, germicide

History: Tea Tree Oil, also known as Melaleuca, was used as a general antiseptic by the aborigine tribes for thousands of years. Aborigines were known to chew on the leaves. It was used as a medicinal agent for cuts, burns, bites and many, skin ailments. Famous British explorer Captain Cook is held as the man responsible for the name 'tea tree'. In 1770 when he and his men landed at Botany Bay, Cook brewed the leaves of the tree for his men to drink to prevent scurvy. As early as 1923, clinical trials in Australia began to provide scientific evidence for tea tree's antiseptic and bactericidal properties. Its importance made it standard issue for the soldiers in the Australian Army during World War II.

Common Uses: Used topically for all skin ailments, cuts, burns, acne, cold sores, irritations of mouth and throat.

Tea tree oil is an important component of any first aid kit. It can help with many minor conditions that commonly occur. Used topically for all skin ailments, cuts, burns, acne, cold sores, boils, warts, vaginal infections, ringworm, skin rashes, impetigo, herpes, corns, lice, insect bites, insect repellent and fungal infections. It has valuable properties for healing and preventing infection. Tea tree oil acts as a mild anesthetic when applied to painful areas and to soothe cuts and burns. It can help heal as well as reduce scarring. Tea tree oil can be used to deter fleas, insect bites and stings. (The FDA does not allow the use of the word "repellant" on any natural insect deterrents so I use the word "deter" instead.)

Tea tree oil contains at least 48 different organic compounds. The compounds work together to produce the healing abilities found in the oil. Research done in the 1950s and early 1960s found that tea tree oil is a germicide and fungicide with additional characteristics of dissolving pus and debris. Recent studies have found it effective for thrush, vaginal infections of Candida albicans, staph infections, athlete's foot, hair and scalp problems, mouth sores, muscle and joint pain, pain, and boils. Tea tree oil is a valuable antiseptic for skin infections. It is able to penetrate the epidermis to heal from within. Clinical studies have found that tea tree oil can heal quickly and with less scarring than other treatments. The oil is even effective against Staphylococcus aureus, which is often difficult to treat and is becoming resistant to antibiotic therapy. Tea tree oil has been found to be effective against many organisms including E. coli, Candida albicans, herpes virus, and many others.

Tea tree oil is an effective bactericide. It is safe for healthy tissue. It is a strong organic solvent and will help heal and disperse pus in pimples and wounds. It has been used to neutralize the venom of minor insect bites. It is able to kill bacteria by penetrating the skin layers and reaching deep into abscesses in the gums and even beneath the fingernails. It has been found to have some of the strongest antimicrobial properties ever discovered.

Tea tree oil is used as a disinfectant to purify air. It is suitable for home use as well as in a hospital room as it does not interfere with other treatment for the patient.

Tea tree oil can be used for removal of warts and to heal chicken pox blisters. It can be applied directly to heal cuts and bruises. It is so seemingly mild and non-poisonous that it can be used for mouth ulcers.

Tea tree oil is even effective against Staphylococcus aureus, which is often difficult to treat and is becoming resistant to antibiotic therapy. Tea tree oil has been found to be effective against many organisms including E. coli, Candida albicans, herpes virus, and many others.

Uses as a General Antiseptic & Cleanser
Add 1 teaspoon of 100% pure oil to 1 1/5 gallons of water when washing windows, floors, toilets, bathrooms and kitchen surfaces.
Add 2 teaspoons of 100% pure tea tree oil to washing machine for a fragrant, fresh wash.
Household ants and other pests dislike tea tree oil, so a few drops put at the point of entry will deter them. Wipe cupboards out with an oil and water solution to deter cockroaches
Remove scuff marks from a vinyl/linoleum floor by rubbing with a damp cloth to which pure oil has been added.
Room Spray: 5 drops of tea tree oil to 2½ cups water. Spray around room to refresh and give a cooling effect.
Refrigerator gaskets stay fresh and clean if you wipe them over occasionally with a tea tree oil/water solution.
Shower doors stay cleaner if you wipe them over with a tea tree oil/water solution. Helps prevent soap sum build-up.
After washing down walls and removing grime and mildew, wipe over again with a tea tree oil/water solution to prevent mildew regrowth.
To remove chewing gum from hair, apply pure oil.
Diaper Cleanser: Add 20 drops tea tree oil to approximately 1 gallon of water, stir, then soak diapers overnight.

Other Uses:
Apply 1 or 2 drops Lavender oil and Tea tree oil directly to cuts, scrapes, or scratches to promote healing.
Add 3-5 drops of Tea Tree oil to 30ml of base oil and massage in for rheumatic pain. Twice daily.
As a disinfectant measure add approximately 3-5 drops to the bath water. Helps with skin infections.
To make a tea tree mouthwash, add 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil to 6 ounces of water and swish gently around your mouth before spitting out.
Apply 1 to 2 drops of oil to your toothbrush before you brush your teeth, then apply toothpaste to brush. Not only will this addition assist in keeping your mouth, breath and gums healthy but aids in fighting plaque.
Dab pure oil onto mouth cankers, abscesses and site of toothache for relief.

Cautions & Comments: For those with sensitive skin, it is bets to dab a tiny drop of the oil on your skin before applying it liberally on your desired areas. If you feel no irritations within half an hour, it is safe to assume you have no allergy towards tea tree oil.

Uses for Pets:
Caution: Before using tea tree oil your cats please read this: Tea Tree Oil & Cats

Rarely, if ever, should high doses of undiluted tea tree oil be used on dogs, cats, ferrets and other small pets. A 15% tea tree oil dilution is recommended and usually just as effective as pure tea tree oil.
How to make a Pet Care: 15% Tea Tree Oil Mixture: As a base use 1 Tbsp. (15 ml) of non-allergenic fragrance free cream, gel, glycerin, lotion, sweet almond oil or cold pressed olive oil and then add 50 drops of pure tea tree oil. Mix well before applying. Store in a properly tabled glass container in a cool place away from light.

· To make a natural flea collar, saturate a short piece of cord or soft rope with Tea Tree oil, roll up in a handkerchief and tie loosely around the animal's neck.

· To help deter fleas add one (1) capful of pure tea tree oil to your pet's bottle shampoo.

· Add 10 drops of Pure Tea Tree Oil to dogs sleeping blankets to help deter fleas.

· Apply antiseptic cream directly to hot spots twice daily.

· Apply two drops directly onto tick and gently remove tick with tweezers,

Tea Tree Recipes:

Natural Disinfectant Spray:
Combine the following in a spray bottle, shake and spray the counter, the boards, the dish rack, etc.
2 cups water
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 tsp. Tea Tree oil
1/4 tsp. Lavender oil

Tea Tree Shampoo
Human: Add 80 drops of pure tea tree oil to 1/2 cup of neutral pH shampoo.

Dog/Goat: 4 drops of pure tea tree oil per ounce of quality pet shampoo.