From the Melaleuca Tree, native to Australia, comes the versatile Tea Tree Oil. Already well-known as an effective, all-purpose healing oil, this natural remedy is a staple in most people's at-home pharmacies. But do you know just how many uses this powerful oil has?

Tea Tree Oil

Related to the Myrtle family, the Melaleuca Tree grows native in Australia, as well as other parts of South East Asia. In North America, it can be found in Hawaii and the Florida everglades. It grows to almost 20 feet high in forested areas, near rivers or lakes and swamps, with needle-like leaves and heads of yellow or purplish flowers.

While there are over hundreds of varieties, it's the Melaleuca alternifolia variety that has everyone excited.

Its medicinal history begins with the Australian aboriginals. For centuries, they made poultices of the leaves and applied them to open wounds and burns, which helped combat infections. Chewing the leaves also reportedly helped ease headaches.

Medicinal Properties

Gradually, the aboriginal use of the leaves spread to more metropolitan areas, where 19th-century doctors began incorporating the oil into their treatments. By the 20th century, the essential oil of the Melaleuca Tree was being researched for its potent healing properties. Studied by the now-famous Dr. Arthur de Ramon Penfold, Tea Tree Oil was found to have the following properties: antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, balsamic, bactericide, cicatrisant, expectorant, fungicide, insecticide, stimulant, and sudorific.

According to the Tea Tree Oil Research Group at The University of Western Australia, Tea Tree Oil contains "over 100 components, mostly monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and their alcohols. The component terpinen-4-ol is the most abundant (minimum 30%) and is said to be responsible for most of the antimicrobial activity." In fact, this component is what makes Tea Tree Oil one of Nature's most popular remedies!

55 Medicinal Uses

For thousands of years, the derivatives of the Melaleuca Tree have been effective in treating a wide variety of ailments. Here are 55 reasons why you should use it, too!

1. Abrasions & Minor Cuts: After cleaning the area well, apply a few drops of the oil directly. If a bandage is needed, allow a few drops of the oil to penetrate a cotton ball, then lay face down on the wound. Bandage on top.

2. Acne: Add 20 - 40 drops of the oil to your regular face wash. After cleansing, dab each affected area with neat (undiluted) oil and let dry.

3. After Waxing: Make a gel of 5 drops of oil to 1 TBS aloe vera gel. Smooth onto the area after waxing or shaving.

4. Arthritis: To help reduce pain associated with the swelling of arthritis, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of grapeseed oil. Massage into the affected area 2-3 times a day.

5. Asthma: Add a few drops of oil to a pan of water and heat on the stove. When cooling, drape a towel over the head and breathe in for a few minutes.

6. Athlete's Foot: Clean feet thoroughly, especially between toes. Add oil directly to feet every two weeks, dusting with corn starch after. Or add 10 drops of oil to 1 tbsp of grapeseed oil. Massage on feet and between toes.

7. Bad Breath: Rinse with 1 ounce of water and 1 drop of oil. Do not swallow!

8. Bath For Colds and Aches: Add 10-15 drops of oil to half a cup of Epsom salts and dissolve in the bath.

9. Bladder Infection: In a shallow bath, add 10 - 15 drops of oil. Sit and wash the area carefully.

10. Blisters: Wash the area carefully, then apply as for cuts and wounds.

11. Boils: Apply a warm washcloth for a few minutes. Then apply a drop or two of oil to the area - the infection should rise to the surface and eventually be released.

12. Bronchial Congestion: Use as directed for Asthma. Add 5 - 10 drops to 1 ounce of grapeseed oil, and massage into the chest and throat 2 - 3 times daily.

13. Bruises: After icing, apply oil as directed for Arthritis.

14. Bunions: Massage the area with 5 drops of oil to 1 tbsp. of grapeseed oil.

15. Burns: Run icy cold water on the area. After a few minutes, add a mix of 5 drops of oil with 1 tsp. of raw honey. Repeat 3 - 5 times daily.

16. Calluses & Corns: Massage the area with 5 drops of oil to 1 tbsp. of grapeseed oil. Repeat 2 times daily. Once the corn or calluses have become soft use tweezers to remove, and apply a few drops of tea tree oil and cover with a bandage.

17. Canker Sores: Apply a drop or two of oil directly to the infected area with a cotton swab, 2 times daily. Also, rinse as directed for bad breath.

18. Carbuncles: Add a drop or two of oil to a cotton swab and apply directly to the carbuncle. Repeat twice daily.

19. Chapped Lips: Add 1 or 2 drops of oil to lip balm. Apply to lips as necessary.

20. Chicken Pox: Apply a drop of oil directly to blisters. Allow to dry, then dust with corn starch. Repeat every few hours or until blisters disappear.

21. Chigger Bites: Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.

22. Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex 1): Apply a drop or two of oil directly to the sore with a cotton swab. Re-apply 2 - 3 times daily.

23. Coughs: Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add
10 drops to a steamer and leave on for 5 - 10 minutes.

24. Dandruff: Add 20 - 30 drops of oil to any shampoo. Apply a few drops to the scalp and massage after washing.

25. Dermatitis: Add 10 drops of oil to 1 tbsp grapeseed oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily.

26. Dry Skin: Add 5 drops of oil to 1 tbsp sweet almond oil. Massage into the skin.

27. Earache and Infection: Add 2 - 3 drops of oil to 2 tbsp warm olive oil. With a dropper, drop a small amount into the aching ear, tilting the head to one side for a moment. Use a cotton swab to absorb the oil. Repeat 2 - 3 times daily.

28. Eczema: Add 10 drops of oil to 1 tbsp grapeseed oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. Also can be applied undiluted.

29. Emphysema: Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops to a steamer and leave on for 5 - 10 minutes.

30. Flea Bites: Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.

31. Gout: Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp grapeseed oil; massage into the affected area 2-3 times a day.

32. Head Lice: Add 20 drops of oil to 2 tbsp shampoo. Massage into the scalp and hair, leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat 3 - 4 times daily, until eggs are gone.

33. Hives: Add 10 drops of oil to 4 tbsp of witch hazel. Apply with a cotton ball.

34. Ingrown Hairs: Add 1 - 2 drops of oil directly to the area. Repeat every 2 hours or until signs of infection disappear.

35. Jock Itch: Apply 10 - 15 drops of oil to 2 tbsp grapeseed oil. Apply 2 times daily. Dust with corn starch, to reduce chapping.

36. Laryngitis: Add 5 - 10 drops of oil and a pinch of sea salt to 1 cup of warm water, gargle 2-3 times a day. Do not swallow!

37. Mosquito Bites: Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.

38. Mouth Ulcers: Dab ulcers with undiluted oil on a cotton swab, every two hours.

39. Muscle Aches and Pains: Add 10-15 drops of oil to half a cup of Epsom salts, and dissolve in the bath. Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of grapeseed oil. Massage well.

40. Nail Fungus: Add 1 - 2 drops of oil directly to the nail and tissue surroundings. Allow drying completely on hands before touching anything. Repeat morning and night for a week.

41. Plantar Warts: Apply oil undiluted to the affected area 2-3 times daily.

42. Psoriasis: Add 10 drops of oil to 1 tbsp grapeseed oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. Also can be applied undiluted.

43. Rheumatism: To help reduce pain associated with rheumatism, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of grapeseed oil. Massage into the affected area 2-3 times a day.

44. Ringworm: Apply a drop or two of oil undiluted, repeat 2 times daily.

45. Scabies: Apply 1 - 2 drops of oil directly to the area in the morning and at night.

46. Sciatica: Add 10 drops of oil to 1 tbsp grapeseed oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. Also can be applied undiluted.

47. Seborrhea: For skin: Add 10 drops of oil to 1 tbsp grapeseed oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. For scalp: Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp shampoo. Massage into the scalp and hair, leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat 3 - 4 times daily. Bath: Add 10-15 drops of oil to the bath.

48. Shingles: Add 10-15 drops of oil to half a cup of Epsom salts, and dissolve in the bath. Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of grapeseed oil. Massage well.

49. Sinusitis: Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops to a steamer and leave on for 5 - 10 minutes. Also add 2 drops to neti pot.

50. Sore Throat: Add 2 drops of oil to 1 cup of warm water with a pinch of sea salt, gargle 2-3 times a day. Do Not Swallow!

51. Stye: Add 5 drops of oil to a pan of steaming water. Drape a towel overhead and steam for 5 minutes. Apply warm compresses directly to the stye.

52. Sunburn: Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp rosehip seed oil, repeat as often as necessary.

53. Ticks: Apply a drop or two directly to the tick and area.

54. Toothbrush Cleaner: Apply oil directly to the toothbrush 1-2 times a week to kill bacteria.

55. Warts: Apply undiluted directly to wart. Use morning and night, until the wart begins to disappear.

All-Purpose Cleaning Recipe

Conventional household cleaners can be toxic on their own, and exposure to their fumes can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, and poisoning. In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group - a consumer watchdog advisory group - indoor air can be as much as 100 times more polluted than outdoor air! The culprit: you guessed it, household cleaning supplies.

Tea Tree Oil can combat mold, bacteria, and bad odors - naturally. And it's so easy to use!

To make your own household cleaner, you'll need:

- Spray bottle
- Tea Tree Oil
- Water
- Lavender Oil (optional)

In a spray bottle, combine 2 tsp of Tea Tree oil with 2 cups of water. Add 10 drops of lavender oil for extra scent, if you like.

Shake before use, and do not rinse. Can be used to treat moldy areas, stains, and areas that need to be disinfected.

Tea Tree In The House

You can use your all-natural spray in a variety of applications throughout the house.

Kitchen:

1. To clean mold from your refrigerator, add the oil to a sponge, scrub, and then wipe clean.
2. Use on countertops, appliances, and cutting boards to disinfect.
3. Spray on kitchen surfaces to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
4. Deodorize the garbage can by spraying the can with the mixture.
5. Add a few drops of oil to your dishwasher, washing machine, or trash compactor to remove bad odors.

Bathroom:

1. Use the spray to clean and disinfect toilets, showers, and sinks.
2. Add a few drops of oil to your toilet bowl and let sit for a few minutes before scrubbing to kill bacteria and neutralize odors.
3. Spray on shower curtains and let sit to remove mold and mildew.
4. Deodorize the bathroom by spraying in the air.

Laundry:

1. Add the oil to your laundry detergent to kill bacteria and remove odors.
2. Use as a pre-soak for heavily soiled laundry.

Miscellaneous:

1. Use to clean and disinfect children's toys.
2. Use on pet beds to remove odors and kill bacteria.
3. Spray on pet accidents to neutralize odors and disinfect the area.
4. Use in your car to remove odors and disinfect surfaces.

Don't forget to use Tea Tree Oil on all the other surfaces in your home as well!

Disclaimer:

This article is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician or qualified healthcare provider. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any new remedies or treatments, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are pregnant or nursing.