Tea Tree - First Aid in a Bottle

Would you cut a 5-acre lawn with scissors?  Would you use a Q-tip to scrub food burned out of the bottom of a pan?  What about a vitamin for a broken arm?  Okay yeah, these questions seem a little ridiculous.  Of course you wouldn't!  Why?  Because tough jobs call for tough products.

Today I'd like to introduce you to a tough essential oil: Tea Tree.  It is anti-infectious, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory, to name just a few of its powerful uses. (1)

From household cleaner to infections to ringworm to cold sores, Tea Tree has a slew of uses. It is handy for the everyday little things, and for the out-of-the-ordinary tough jobs. (2)(4)

Have you ever had that moment, where you kinda stop breathing for a second because... you found lice, ticks or fleas somewhere you really don't want them??  They can be a mess to deal with for sure.  But with the help of Tea Tree, treating them might not be as hard as you might expect.  And the extra good news?  Tea Tree is safe to use on children and animals, which makes it a great commodity to have around during those not-so-ideal situations. (5)

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"I love tea tree oil! I add it to our shampoo to keep any lice from checking out my kiddos heads... despite several outbreaks in my kids classrooms - not one louse has ever made it home! I also add some to my facial cleanser. My middle-age breakouts are gone!" -Julie

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Infections are another tough cookie to beat.  But a cool fact about Tea Tree is that it doesn't just treat one kind of infection.  It is active against fungal infections, viral infections and bacterial infections. (6) Tea Tree actually increases the body's ability to respond to infectious organisms because it is such a powerful immunostimulant. (7) Because of this, it is used often for treating candida (yeast infection) and cystitis (urinary tract infection).  Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D. says, "Treating cystitis with Tea Tree oil is highly effective... Essential oil treatment will ease or eliminate the symptoms in a very short time." (9)  Just 1 drop of tea tree oil in honey and water can be helpful as a mouth rinse (3-5 times a day) for Candida in the mouth. (8)

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"This is a fantastic all-purpose oil! Everyone needs this one! Good for blemishes, cuts, scrapes, fungus, sanitizing everything - even laundry!" -Vanessa

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If you've ever had a cold sore, fungal infection (like ringworm or athlete's foot), or a wart, you probably tried to cover it up and get rid of it as fast as possible.  Not only are they uncomfortable, but they tend to have a way of making us feel a little self-conscious.  We want those suckers GONE asap.  The good news is, Tea Tree might help with that!  Because Tea Tree is generally non-irritating to the skin, it can be applied neat to the affected area.  You may not see results right away, but don't be discouraged!  The Tea Tree should be doing it's job even before you can see it. :-)  (4)(7)(10)

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"I absolutely love my tea tree oil. I use it in a mixture of organic, cold-pressed coconut oil and baking soda. It clears up my complexion and does no dry out my face. If I have an occasional blemish, I apply a drop on the spot and it is greatly reduced or gone by morning!" -Julie

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Tea Tree's disinfectant, fungicidal and antimicrobial properties make it an excellent choice for a household cleaner. (4) Talk about killing off bacteria without using all those bad chemicals!  You can mix it with water, vinegar, and lemon essential oil to make your own around-the-house cleanser. (3) Because of how powerful Tea Tree is, it can even be useful in helping eliminate mold!  It can be used in place of bleach without having all of the concerning side effects. (11)

This is only a small portion of the list of uses for Tea Tree oil.  Check out the Tea Tree product page for more uses, benefits and blends that include this awesome multi-functional essential oil!

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"Tea Tree is without a doubt our most used oil! Tea Tree has been a lifesaver for acne control, cleaning products, and general disinfecting. I think my favorite use for the oil was on our long journey from Texas to Maryland. I would place a few drops on hotel beds for sanitary purposes! If Tea Tree isn't part of your arsenal, it needs to be!" -Chelsea

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