Have you heard of tea tree oil? You may have seen tea tree essential oil featured in products that include skin care, oral sprays, household cleaners, shampoos and acne treatments.

And there’s a great reason why: tea tree oil is a potent antibacterial essential oil.

Whether you’re new to essential oils or you’re a holistic wellness veteran, knowing what tea tree oil is, how you can use it in your life, and how you can benefit from tea tree oil is important information to know.

In this Be Natural blog article, we’ll go cover the following about tea tree oil:

• What is tea tree oil
• What are common uses of tea tree oil
• How Dr. Brite uses tea tree oil

What is Tea Tree Oil

Not to be confused with common tea plants Tea tree essential oil actually comes from the Melaleuca tree that is native to Australia. The indigenous Bundjalung people of eastern Australia used the Melaleuca tree for years as a form of traditional medicine by:

• Inhaling the oil from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds
• Applying the leaves on wounds
• Brewing an infusion of the leaves to make a tea for treatment of sore throats
• Applying on the skin for minor wounds, abrasions and insect bites and stings. 

The name “tea tree” was given to this plant by Captain James Cook when he saw the Bundjalung brew a tea drink with the leaves of the Melaleuca tree.

But only within the last 70 years, tea tree oil is recognized for its antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, according to the Australian Tea Tree Oil Industry Association.

Because this essential oil has a wide variety of properties, it’s a popular ingredient found in many personal care, beauty, and household products.

What Are Common Uses of Tea Tree Oil

On its own, tea tree oil is a fantastic essential oil to use in a diffuser. It can help prevent mold by purifying a living space while also awakening the senses.

Tea tree oil can also help ease symptoms of nasal congestion when added to a diffuser or when a few drops are added in a steam bath.

In terms of topical use on facial skin and body, it’s important to note that tea tree oil should always be diluted with a neutral carrier oil like jojoba oil, almond oil, olive oil or sunflower oil. Like we mentioned, this essential oil is potent, which means that on its own it could sting a little and it may cause dryness if applied alone on the skin.

Once tea tree oil is diluted you can use to help treat pesky pimples faster, you can apply a few diluted drops to the scalp to soothe both dryness and oiliness, and you can even use diluted tea tree oil to relieve toothaches and ear aches.

Diluted tea tree oil can also be used as a household cleaner and a couple drops of this oil can be added to freshen and disinfect a toothbrush.

How Dr. Brite Uses Tea Tree Oil

Got gum pain or mouth sores? Our team at Dr. Brite has harnessed the power of tea tree oil in our Soothe & Restore Oral Spray. Here’s how our Soothe & Restore Oral Spray works:

• Tea tree oil and a bounty of carefully chosen essential oils quickly alleviate minor gum pain and mouth sores with just a few spritzes.
• Tea tree oil helps to keep bad bacteria at bay, so your gums and mouth can heal faster.
• Tea tree oil, along with peppermint oil, helps freshen your breath with a pleasant taste.

Now that you’ve learned a bit more about tea tree oil, you can save on our Soothe & Restore Oral Spray! Banish your gum pain with an effective, great-tasting, and nontoxic bottle for only $9.99 until Friday, January 12th with the code TEATREEOIL.

FAQs

1. What is tea tree oil commonly used for?

Tea tree oil is used for its powerful antiseptic properties. It can be applied topically to treat acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, and other skin conditions. Tea tree oil also has antibacterial qualities that make it useful in treating sore throats or respiratory infections like bronchitis. Tea tree oil is a volatile aromatic essential oil with many therapeutic properties including antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi and viruses; anti-inflammatory activity; analgesic (pain relief) activity.

2. Can I put tea tree oil on my face?

Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial and anti-fungal that can be used as an acne treatment. It has been shown to help heal mild to moderate acne, reduce redness and swelling, dry out pimples, and prevent future breakouts. It's important not to put the tea tree oil on your face if you have sensitive skin or are allergic to any of its ingredients.

3. Can you put tea tree oil on your private parts?

YES! Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic. It is also known for helping with yeast infections, which are common in the area of your genitals. If you use it on your private parts, just be sure to dilute it first by putting some drops in water or rubbing alcohol before applying directly to skin.

4. Does tea tree remove acne scars?

Despite the fact that tea tree oil has been proven to be a good treatment for acne breakouts, it isn't known if it can effectively heal scarring from the condition. Acne scars, in contrast to most pimples, originate deep beneath the skin. With time and exposure to the sun, these marks may become more noticeable. There's a chance that tea tree oil can counteract these side effects, but that's not a given.

5. Does tea tree oil remove dark spots?

Essential oil of tea tree helps lighten skin discolorations. You can prevent or minimize pigmentation by using this oil mixture.