Medical Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil was first used several hundred years ago by aboriginees in Australia who rubbed the oily leaves from the plant on themselves to treat cuts and skin ailments. The oil--which has a strong scent similar to eucalyptus--is primarily used as a topical solution that is absorbed through the skin or other tissues. However, you can gargle with it to soothe a sore throat or use it for other oral treatments.

Acne Treatment

• The website PeaceHealth.org (see Resources below) recommends using a gel that contains tea tree oil to fight acne because it reduces the production of sebum, which causes pimples.

Anti-Fungal Use

• The Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine notes that tea tree oil can treat such ailments as athlete's foot, nail infections, ringworm and jock itch.

Care of the Scalp

• The website A 2 Z of Health, Beauty and Fitness claims that adding tea tree oil to your shampoo can treat dandruff.

Treat Minor Wounds and Irritations

• One health benefit of tea tree oil, according to WholeHealthMD.com (see Resources below), is that using it to treat cuts, scrapes and insect bites can reduce the chance of infection and scarring.

Antiseptic

• News channel WLWT (see Resources below) reports that in the 1930s, tea tree oil was used as an antiseptic for dressing wounds and in hand soap; in fact, at the time, the oil was 60 times more effective in killing typhoid bacillus than other available disinfectants.

Dental Health

• Per the Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, adding a few drops of tea tree oil to your toothpaste or mouthwash will fight plaque. The oil can also relieve sore gums.

Relieve Yeast Infections

• WholeHealthMD.com states that tea tree oil can kill off two organisms that cause yeast infections, Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis. Women can use suppositories made of tea tree oil to relieve the condition.