Melaleuca (Tea Tree) has been used for centuries by the aborigines to heal cuts, wounds, and skin infections. With twelve times the antiseptic power of phenol, it has some strong immune-building properties.
Spiritual Influence: Melaleuca Alternifolia essential oils eases mental stress and purifies the mind and body of emotional wounds. Once old wounds are released (or healed), the body can then change the behavioral patterns that led to the wounding to begin with. This may be particularly helpful for those that play the victim or "poor me" role. The emotional roots are often associated with distrust of self or others, guilt and shame. All of which, can be released with the assistance of Tea Tree. |
The following are uses described in a book I highly recommend, Modern Essentials: A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Uses of Essential Oils.
- Acne: Add a drop to your normal cleansing routine, or dab a very small amount of acne breakouts
- Allergies: Use topically by massaging into the chest, abdomen or the reflex points of the feet
- Athlete's Foot: Add a drop to your shoes, massage into the feet, or soak in a for bath of sea salt and 2-3 drops of Melaleuca
- Boils: Apply a small amount to Melaleuca oil directly over the site
- Bronchitis: Add 1-2 drops to a pan of hot water and breath in the stan, or massage the oil over the chest and into the feet
- Canker/Cold Sores: Dab a small amount directly over the sore, diluting with coconut oil if needed (may also be used as prevention)
- Cavities: Melaleuca oil is great to add to homemade toothpaste, or you can add a drop to your toothbrush before brushing (and after to disinfect). A simple homemade mouthwash with purified water, melaleuca and peppermint is also recommended
- Chicken Pox: Diffuse in the air (with a diffuser or a pan of hot water) or massage a mixture of melaleuca and coconut oil gently over the pox (dilute more for younger children).
- Dermatitis/Eczema/Hives: Any sort of skin inflammation can benefit from this oil being gently massaged into the area (may dilute in coconut oil, which is naturally healing and soothing itself)
- Dry/Itchy Eyes: Although no essential oil should ever be put IN the eye, you can still benefit from the oil by diffusing it or placing your head over a steaming pot of water with a drop of melaleuca in it.
- Ear Infection/Ache: Dilute 1 drop of oil in 1-2 TB of water and use a dropper to drop the mixture into the ear for 30-6- seconds each. (This can also be done with the hydrogen peroxide, although tea tree oil will do the same naturally.
- Flu: Diffuse through the air, add a drop to the pillow, or gently massage into the feet to absorb the properties into the blood stream quickly.
- Gum Disease: Create a mouthwash with purified water, 1 drop of peppermint and 1 drop of Melaleuca oil
- Hepatitis: Diffuse through the home daily, or massage into the soles of the feet
- Herpes Simplex: Apply a small amount to the outbreak, or massage into the feet daily to prevent future outbreaks
- Lice: Add several drops to purified water and soak hair and scalp in the solution. Use on combs, brushes and massage into the hair and scalp. Treat the home with it as well.
- Nail Infection: Mix 1 TB coconut oil and 1-2 drops of Melaleuca oil into the nails and cuticles as indicated.
- Vaginal Infection: It's recommended to use topically. I would add several drops to a sitz bath and massage into the soles of feet.
- Warts: Apply Melaleuca oil directly to the wart, diluting with coconut oil if necessary for sensitive skin.