Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from leaves of the Australian "tea tree." Tea tree oil has many healing properties, both as an antiseptic and antifungal, according to MedlinePlus, and as an antibacterial and antiviral, says Shelagh Masline and Barbara Close in "The A-Z Guide to Healing with Essential Oils: Aromatherapy." Tea tree oil has been known to alleviate and clear up the fungal infection athlete's foot. With a little preparation, it is easy to apply tea tree oil to your feet. Speak to your doctor before using tea tree oil to treat athlete's foot.
Preparation
Step 1
Measure 1/2 cup arrowroot powder in a measuring cup.
Step 2
Pour the powder into the mixing bowl.
Step 3
Drop 40 drops of tea tree oil into the arrowroot powder, suggests Marlene Mitchell of the International Certified Aromatherapy Institute.
Step 4
Mix the powder and oil with a spoon.
Application
Step 1
Put socks on your feet.
Step 2
Sprinkle the powder and oil mixture into your socks, says Mitchell, using enough to cover your feet.
Step 3
Apply this tea tree oil mixture two times per day for four weeks to get rid of the fungal infection, according to MedlinePlus.
Tips and Warnings
- Mitchell, of the International Certified Aromatherapy Institute, suggests alternating using the foot powder in socks with having bare feet to let them breathe. MedlinePlus says studies have shown that a mixture containing 25 percent to 50 percent tea tree oil might completely clear up athlete's foot, but weaker mixtures might not. However, MedlinePlus says tea tree oil might not be as successful as medications. Speak to your doctor for the best method of treating your athlete's foot. Masline and Close note that you could also use a minimal amount of undiluted tea tree oil on affected parts of the feet. Consult with a certified aromatherapist for the best method of utilizing essential oils.
- MedlinePlus warns that tea tree oil can cause skin reactions such as irritation and redness. Perform a spot test on a small amount of skin to see if you have a reaction.
Things You'll Need
- 1/2 cup arrowroot powder
- Tea tree oil
- Measuring cup
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
References
- MedlinePlus: Tea Tree Oil
- "The A-Z Guide to Healing with Essential Oils: Aromatherapy"; Shelagh Masline and Barbara Close; 1997
- International Certified Aromatherapy Institute: Subtle Aromatherapy
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