Tea tree essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the tea tree, a tall evergreen with white, spongy bark which grows in Asia and Australia, according to the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS). Tea tree oil is used primarily as a topical agent for various skin conditions and is used as a diluted form if used as a mouthwash or rinse. UMHS states that tea tree oils should not ingested because it can cause problems such as nerve damage.
Scalp Treatments
According to a 1998 article by Cynthia Olsen, tea tree oil is used in shampoo and hair or scalp products to relieve dandruff and help rid fungus and bacteria on the scalp. Tea tree oil helps unclog sebaceous glands and dead skin cells, allowing natural oils to moisturize the scalp and hair. Cynthia Olsen states in her article that tea tree oil can be used as a treatment for head lice and even cradle cap in infants.
Acne
Tea tree oil is helpful in treating acne due to its ability to attack bacteria and limit oil production, according to the Brown University Health Education. It does not cause peeling, burning or itching like benzoyl peroxide, a common treatment for acne, making it a good alternative when treating acne.
Oral Yeast Infections
UMHS states that rinsing the mouth with 1 tablespoon of tea tree oil solution four times per day is effective in treating oral yeast infections (thrush). When using tea tree oil as a mouth rinse, caution should be taken to prevent swallowing of the tea tree oil.
Mouthwash
The Benefits of Tea Tree article states that tea tree oil is often diluted and used as a mouthwash to prevent bacteria growth, control plaque and reduce gum bleeding. A diluted solution of tea tree oil used twice a day as a mouthwash also helps with inflammation or infections in the mouth.
Skin Infections
According to the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and can kill many bacterial strains that cause skin infections like staph and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of staph infection that does not respond to the antibiotic used to treat staph. Tea tree oil is just as effective as drug therapies and does not have any adverse effects when used as skin treatment.
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