SHEfinds | Rachel Gulmi
You may have heard of tea tree oil before, but you most likely don’t know all the benefits and ways to use it. One small bottle packs a lot of punch. This isn’t the same tea that you would drink as a beverage. Tea tree oil is extracted from twigs and leaves of… well, tea tree.
First and foremost, tea tree oil has significant antibacterial properties. It can cure even the worst of infections. Tea tree oil is very rarely used orally, and, if you do, make sure it’s concentrated. It can be used to treat internal bacterial issues in the stomach, colon, urinary tract, etc. Besides being beneficial in treating infections, here are another eight ways to use tea tree oil.
1. Soothe sore throat. Mix one drop of tea tree oil in a glass of warm water, swish it around, and gargle in your mouth. This will help the inflammation go down.
2. Clear acne. If you’re prone to breakouts, definitely buy a bottle of tea tree oil to have on standby. Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, you might have to dilute the oil before applying. When tested among benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil doesn’t give you the harsh side effects like dry skin or irritation and it works just as well!
3. Fight nail fungus. It’s gross but it happens. Apply a few drops of tea tree oil to the affected area every day after showering. Be sure to wash your hands afterwards so it doesn’t spread.
4. Help bad breath. Bad breath is caused by unwanted bacteria in your month. Since tea tree oil is an antibacterial, it’s a perfect match! Mix a drop with warm water and swish it around in your month. Make sure to gargle! Do this one to two times a day.
5. Relieve psoriasis. Since tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties, it’s a great solution for those with psoriasis. There’s no cure for psoriasis, so using tea tree oil can provide someone a lot of comfort and help prevent it from spreading. Mix tea tree oil with a couple tablespoons of coconut oil and rub it on the affected area as needed.
6. All-purpose cleaner. Make your own chemical-free cleaner with tea tree oil! Mix 20 to 25 drops of oil with one part water and two parts distilled white vinegar. Shake really well in a spray bottle and you’re good to go.
7. Toothbrush and retainer cleaner. Bacteria harbors on moist surfaces. Yuck. Mix ten drops of tea tree oil with water and let your toothbrush soak once a week and your retainer every other day.
8. Remove cold sores quicker. Unfortunately, I’m prone to cold sores that are caused by stress and/or the sun. I only get two a year, if even, but they can be super painful and ugly looking. Tea tree oil helps with the inflammation and it’s also an antiseptic. Apply directly with a cotton swab two to three daily.
There are seriously tons of ways to use tea tree oil. I highly recommend purchasing a bottle and having it on hand for when a problem arises.
