What are the Uses for Tea Tree Oil?

The uses for tea tree oil are generally antiseptic and anti-fungal. Tea tree oil is believed to have a long history of medicinal use among the aboriginal peoples of Australia. The oil is generally made from the leaves of the tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, and it has been used externally to treat viral, fungal, and bacterial infections including athlete's foot, herpes, acne, dandruff, and warts. Tea tree oil is also believed capable of boosting the immune system and improving respiratory complaints. It can cause serious side effects if used internally, and is not considered suitable for pregnant women or children.

The leaves of the tea tree generally contain plant chemicals known as terpenoids. Researchers believe that the terpenoids in tea tree leaves give the oil its medicinal properties. The oil is typically extracted by first steaming and then crushing the fresh leaves.

One of the primary uses for tea tree oil may be as a first-aid remedy for burns, wounds, and minor skin irritations. Tea tree oil can be used to treat insect stings and bites, sunburn, boils, vaginitis, and blisters. Another of the proven uses for tea tree oil is its topical application for the treatment of fungal infection like athlete's foot or candidiasis.

Tea tree oil mouthwash and toothpastes are believed effective at battling tooth decay and periodontal disease. Tea tree oil can potentially be toxic if swallowed, so these products are generally only considered safe if the user always takes care to spit them out. They are not generally deemed appropriate for young children.

As an ingredient in soaps, shampoos, and ointments, tea tree oil can treat dandruff, oily skin, psoriasis, and eczema. Tea tree oil is generally considered an effective remedy for most minor skin rashes. Shampoos containing at least a five percent concentration of tea tree oil may help to eliminate infestations of head lice.

The uses for tea tree oil also include inhaling its vapors to soothe respiratory complains. A few drops of the oil can be added to boiling water, and the steam inhaled, each day for several days to relieve minor complaints such as sore throat, cough, and runny nose. Tea tree oil may also help relieve the symptoms of more serious respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, and tuberculosis. The regular use of tea tree oil can help boost immunity, and help fight or prevent common viral illnesses such as influenza, chicken pox, shingles, and measles.

Tea tree oil should generally not be used internally, as it can fatally suppress the central nervous system. Symptoms of tea tree oil overdose can include vomiting, diarrhea, lowered immunity, drowsiness, mental confusion, lack of coordination, and coma.

Should I Use Tea Tree Oil for Yeast Infection?

Tea tree oil can successfully end symptoms of a yeast infection because the oil is anti-fungal. Yeast infections are typically caused by the overgrowth of Candida, which is a type of fungus existing normally inside vaginal microflora along with other bacteria. When the microflora becomes unbalanced due to antibiotics, illness, or poor nutrition, the excess yeast can lead to redness, swelling, and itching; all these symptoms can be cured by tea tree oil. Occasionally, bumps filled with pus will also result, and these, too, can be dried out and reduced by the consistent use of the essential oil, which is also anti-bacterial and antiviral.

The highly-concentrated oil, known by its Latin name Melaleuca alternifolia, can sting and severely burn when used without dilution on sensitive areas like the vulva and vagina. Carrier oils like olive oil, castor oil, and sunflower oils are typically mixed with a few drops of tea tree oil for yeast infection treatment. The mixture can be applied with a cotton swab to affected areas two to four times a day, or a tampon can be drenched in the oil mixture for insertion into the vagina overnight.

For convenience, many people elect to purchase ready-made suppositories with tea tree oil as an ingredient. Others prefer to run a hot bath and then add five to 10 drops of the oil. Some women will boil an herbal tea and add tea tree oil before using the mixture for douching. Many doctors warn against douching, however, because it can upset vaginal microflora of even more.

Although using tea tree oil for yeast infection can stop itching and destroy excess fungus, the natural treatment may not prevent the recurrence of yeast infections unless other factors change. Women, according to homeopathic professionals, should look at underlying causes for yeast infection, such as a diet high in sugar, which feeds Candida. The use of antibiotics to end infections can also kill off good bacteria in the vagina, leading to a high percentage of fungus and, consequently, yeast infection. After this happens, supplements containing probiotics may be beneficial to some women to restore their bacterial balance.

Eating yogurt which contains live and active probiotics can also be helpful, as these active bacteria produce hydrogen peroxide which annihilates the yeast. Some women attempt to apply such yogurt inside the vagina, which can be counter-productive if the yogurt has sugar added. If the Candida oversupply is related to the presence of a sexually transmitted disease, tea tree oil likely will not be enough of a cure unless professional medical treatment for the venereal disease is simultaneously sought.