5 Benefits Of Tea Tree Essential Oil (And How To Use It)

Published 5th Oct 2022

Highly valued for its powerful medicinal and deodorising properties, Tea Tree Essential Oil has been praised by Indigenous Australians for thousands of years.  

Here we’ll look at some of the benefits and uses that make Tea Tree Oil the widely known and loved essential oil it is today. 


What Is Tea Tree Essential Oil?

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Extracted from the leaves and twigs of the narrow-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca alternifolia) tree using steam distillation, Tea Tree Essential Oil boasts an incredibly fresh, sharp and clean aroma.  

With a wealth of germ fighting properties, it’s a highly valued natural remedy for everything from disinfecting surfaces to treating acne and more.  

Did you know: Tea Tree Essential Oil was used extensively by Australian soldiers in WW2 as an antiseptic? It was so highly valued that those involved in its production were exempt from mandatory military service!  


5 Health-Loving Benefits Of Tea Tree Essential Oil

One of the most popular and versatile essential oils, Tea Tree Oil is known to assist all aspects of life. 5 of its most-loved benefits include: 

1. A Natural Disinfectant

It’s no surprise Tea Tree Oil’s most popular quality is its natural disinfecting properties.  

Tea Tree Oil contains terpinene-4-ol, which is known to kill various bacteria and viruses. No wonder it's a popular and powerful cleaning agent for bathrooms, kitchens, showers and toilets.  

Even better, Tea Tree Oil also contains deodorising properties, making it a common essential oil to add to air fresheners, surface sprays and laundry detergents.   

A 2006 study looked into the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of Tea Tree Oil with some promising results. It was seen to destroy bacterial membranes, effectively killing several common bacteria and viruses like E.coli, S.pneumoniae and H.influenzae. 

Quick tip: Diffuse Tea Tree Oil around the home to purify the air and eliminate harmful airborne bacteria. 

2. Soothes Skin Irritations

Did you know Tea Tree Oil is a common ingredient in many popular skin ointments?  

Its wealth of antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it a highly sought-after essential oil for treating skin irritations like eczema, cold sores and sunburn. 

More specifically, Tea Tree Oil’s antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties are believed to protect small cuts and abrasions from harmful infection. Its antibacterial content may also be beneficial for treating irritating fungal infections like athletes foot and tinea.  

3. Combats Dandruff and Headlice

Want soft, hydrated hair without a chemical filled product? Tea Tree Oil may be the hair holy grail you’ve been searching for. 

Tea Tree Oil’s natural antibacterial and cleansing properties work to hydrate and reduce inflammation on the scalp. As a result, it’ll strip pesky, irritating headlice and dandruff.  

Even better, it has been seen to reduce the appearance of greasy hair – a godsend for those with oily scalps.  

4. Beneficial For Acne

Looking for the secret to clear, glowing skin?  

The powerful antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of Tea Tree Oil make it one of the best essential oils for acne. It breaks down acne-causing bacteria, cleansing the pores while calming associated inflammation.  

One 2016 study examined the effect and tolerability of Tea Tree Oil application among acne sufferers. Participants reported significant improvements in their mild to moderate facial acne after the 12 week period.   

Quick tip: To revitalise dry, flaky and irritated skin, simply dilute Tea Tree Oil accordingly and apply to the affected areas.  

5. Repels Insects

Looking to keep bugs at bay without chemical-filled insecticides? 

Tea Tree Oil is known to deter dreaded insects like mosquitos, ticks, fleas, spiders, bed bugs and bees. In fact, it’s a common ingredient in various natural insect repellants. 

A 2016 study of various plant essential oils found Tea Tree Oil to be more effective than popular brand DEET for repelling mosquitos.  


Popular Ways To Use Tea Tree Essential Oil

While there are many ways to enjoy this highly versatile oil, some of our favourites include: 

Topical Application

To relieve painful acne, eczema and inflammation, dilute Tea Tree Oil into a carrier oil and apply to the skin using one of the below remedies: 

  • To apply on the body, simply dilute Tea Tree Oil into your carrier oil of choice, such as Almond or Coconut, at a 1-2% dilution. 
  • To apply on the face, we recommend the same method at a 0.5-1% dilution. 

Diffuser

To enjoy Tea Tree Oil’s fresh, medicinal aroma, simply add a few drops to your aromatherapy diffuser, car diffuser or diffuser necklace.  


3 Ways To Appreciate Tea Tree Oil

Indulge in Tea Tree Oil’s powerhouse of antibacterial properties with these 3 popular uses.  

Create A Natural Surface Cleaner

Want to create an all-natural surface cleaner with a pleasant, fresh aroma? Simply add ½ cup white vinegar and 10-15 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil into a spray bottle. Shake well before use.  

Make Your Own Disinfectant For Cuts & Wounds

To disinfect small cuts and wounds naturally, mix one drop of Tea Tree Oil with one tablespoon of Coconut Oil. Apply this solution after thoroughly cleaning the wound, cover with a band-aid and repeat daily until a scab forms to ward off painful infections.  

For A Dandruff Fighting Hair Treatment

Want to put an end to non-stop scalp itchiness? Simply add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil to your shampoo and massage into the scalp to reduce unpleasant dandruff and head lice. 

Popular Tea Tree Oil Diffuser Blends

Tea Tree Oil’s refreshing aroma blends well with many other essential oils, including Rosemary, Clove Bud and Pine Scotch Oil. Some of our favourite diffuser blends include: 

For A Bacteria Fighting Blend

Quick tip: To easily purify the air and leave your home with a pleasant aroma, see our Home Cleanse Essential Oil Pack.

For An Australian Bush Inspired Blend

Quick tip: To enjoy these and more Australian native essential oils, see our Australian Essential Oil Kit.  

Australian Native Oil Trio

Australian Native Oil Trio

Enjoy a collection of unique Australian native scents with powerful benefits that have been seen to assist with from skincare, haircare and aromatherapy, to household cleaning.

Eucalyptus Peppermint Essential Oil

Eucalyptus Peppermint Oil

Eucalyptus Peppermint Oil is known to help combat a variety of ailments, both topically and through aromatherapy. It has a refreshing, decongesting and minty aroma.

Home Cleanse Essential Oil Pack

Home Cleanse Oil Pack

Our Home Cleanse Essential Oil Pack is great for those who are wanting to create their own natural and toxic-free cleaning alternatives. It will purify the air and leave a refreshing aroma.


How Do You Know If You Have Quality Tea Tree Essential Oil?

If you want to enjoy the benefits of Tea Tree Oil to their full potential, you’ll want to make sure you’re purchasing a 100% pure, quality product from a reputable supplier. To do so, you’ll want to look out for these 6 things on the bottle.  

Top 6 Things To Look For

  1. The oils Latin name, in this case Melaleuca alternifolia, listed on the bottle. If a product doesn’t have the Latin name listed, it’s probably a mix of synthetic fragrance oils.    
  2. Oil packaging is in a dark glass bottle. This will prevent light and heat from damaging the oil.  
  3. The label clearly states ‘100% pure Tea Tree Essential Oil’. This will ensure the product isn’t blended with any other oils.     
  4. Be sure to check the expiry date if buying in store.  
  5. The product clearly states where the oil is from.    
  6. Be wary of a very low price. It could be an indicator of low quality or adulterated essential oils. 

At AWO, we ethically source our Tea Tree Essential Oil from Australia and do not dilute it with any other ingredients. This means you’re getting 100% pure Tea Tree Essential Oil naturally extracted via steam distillation.


Considerations For Using Tea Tree Essential Oil

While Tea Tree Oil is typically a well-tolerated essential oil, it may result in skin irritations or allergic reactions. Therefore, we always recommend a skin patch test before adding it into your routine.      

AWO’s Tea Tree Oil is 100% pure and therefore very concentrated, so we always recommend diluting before using topically. Because they are so potent, essential oils can cause serious harm if ingested without the necessary expertise.      

For this reason, you should never ingest essential oils. We also recommend storing your Tea Tree Essential Oil in a cool, dry place at room temperature, ensuring it is not directly exposed to sunlight and out of reach of children or pets. 


What Customers Are Saying About Tea Tree Essential Oil

“Love the citrus and floral scent, very calming and uplifting as described”
Yi (Verified Customer)

“Delightful aroma and fabulous packaging”
Vicky (Verified Customer)

“This oil has a gentle fragrance which I love. I used it in my vaporiser and to fragrance the body lotion I have made”
Suzie (Verified Customer)


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