Top 14 uses for tea tree oil

Tea tree has been recognised for its disinfecting and healing properties for more than 80 years but the indigenous people of New South Wales had known about it for centuries beforehand. Australian Aborigines treated cuts, burns, and wounds with it and they would even chew on tea tree leaves to alleviate colds and respiratory disorders. Today, tea tree is used to aid and treat all kind of health problems and it is often added to home remedies to kill viruses, fungi and bacteria. Here are 14 uses for tea tree oil, which will make you head out and buy some for your medical cupboard straight away!

1. Treats acne and is often used in home remedies
2. Soothes sunburn and helps to re-generate damaged tissue
3. Treat and prevent head lice
4. Treat bites and repel insects
5. Tackle fungal infections such as Athlete’s Foot
6. Relieve earache
7. Reduce cold sores (avoid getting tea tree oil in your mouth)
8. Apply to chicken pox sores
9. Rejuvenate dry skin
10. Helps fight off infection from small cuts
11. Helps to asthma and other respiratory problems – adda few drops into warm water and soak a damp face cloth before using.
12. Softens dry cuticles
13. Fight foot odour
14. Helps to treats boils

A brief tea tree oil history

It was in the late 1920s when Australian chemist, Arthur Penfold provided scientific confirmation of its virtues. He distilled and tested the oil of the Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil), subsequently determining its antiseptic action. Extensive clinical trials in London and Sydney led to professors, doctors, dentists and veterinary surgeons of the time utilising the oil to treat all matter of infections.

With tea tree firmly on the radar of many distinguished medics who hailed it as the ‘new’ germicide, during World War II it was included in the first aid kits of Australian soldiers. This popularity didn’t last though and following World War II, the tea tree industry collapsed due to cheaper synthetic medicines and antibiotics and this natural remedy was forgotten for many decades.

It wasn’t until the latter part of the 20th century when the remedy was rediscovered and general interest in natural products returned. With growing demand, the need for large-scale production of a consistent essential oil product let to the establishment of commercial plantations in the 1970s and 80s.

Tea tree oil is now one of the most well-known and studied essential oils in the world. Extensive research has recognised its many healing qualities and nowadays it can be found in everything from toothpaste to shampoo and is bedrock for the original Outback Organics range.

You can buy pure, organic tea tree oil of the highest quality from our website in 10ml, 30ml or 50ml bottles. Not shopping for a spa or salon and want to buy for yourself? Head over to our retail website.