5 Uses for Tea Tree Oil

• Cold sores: At the first sign of a cold sore—for me, it's just sharp, stabbing pains on my lip without any visible lesion—I apply a drop of tea tree essential oil diluted in a little shea butter, being careful not to get it in my mouth, as ingesting it is toxic. I've noticed that the sores appear smaller and clear up faster, and sometimes they don't even appear at all.
• Pimples and acne: I've never had acne, but I get the occasional pimple. A drop of tea tree oil directly on the pimple—you can also dilute it with a little water on a cotton ball—cleanses and dries it out, making it disappear quickly. Some research suggests that creams and gels containing tea tree oil can relieve acne.
• Bathroom air freshener: I try to clean with more natural, fragrance-free products, but sometimes I miss that "clean smell" I associate with bleach or ammonia. For years I've made an air freshener with water and essential oils, always including tea tree oil, which leaves that antiseptic fragrance. I simply put my mixture—usually with lemon essential oil—in a spray bottle and use it after cleaning the bathroom.
• Cuts and bites: You can use a few drops of tea tree oil diluted in water to help cuts and bites heal faster.
• Head lice prevention: I add several drops of tea tree oil and lavender essential oil to my children's shampoo as a preventative measure. Also, they always wear their hair tied back to school, and I tell them not to share hats, headbands, etc., with their classmates.

Tea tree oil, like other essential oils, is strong and should generally be used diluted in water or a carrier oil. It is important not to ingest it, as it is toxic, and like other products, it should be kept out of reach of children.

This information is for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a doctor or healthcare professional.