Tea tree, also known as melaleuca, is well-known for its powerful antiseptic properties and ability to treat wounds. Tea tree oil (TTO), the volatile essential oil derived mainly from the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia has been widely used throughout Australia for at least the past 100 years. And for over seven decades, it’s been documented in numerous medical studies to kill many strains of bacteria, viruses and fungi.

This Tea tree oil has numerous uses like: making homemade cleaning products, diffusing it in the air to kill mold, applying it topically to heal skin issues and taking it internally to treat viral infections. It’s becoming an increasingly popular , including face wash, shampoos, massage oils, skin and nail creams and laundry detergents. Tea tree’s natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions make it an  that should truly be part  of everyone’s natural medicine cabinet. Some of the many traditional uses for tea tree include healing:

Some of the many traditional uses for tea tree include healing:

• Bacterial infections
• Chickenpox
• Cold sores
• Congestion and respiratory tract infections
• Earaches
• Fungal infections (especially Candida, jock itch, athlete’s foot and toenail fungus)
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Head lice
• MRSA
• Psoriasis
• Dry cuticles
• Itchy insect bites, sores and sunburns
• Boils from staph infections

And this list doesn’t even include the many household uses of tea tree oil that can replace store-bought products in your cabinets:

• Anti-microbial laundry freshener
• Insect repellant
• Natural deodorant
• Acne face wash
• Removes foot order
• Removes mold
• Household cleaner