The Miracle of Tea Tree Oil: 80 Amazing Uses for Everyday Life

Essential oils have been used for healing and medicinal purposes for centuries—long before pills, capsules, and big pharma addressed medical woes. While manufactured pharmaceuticals have a place in a survival medicine kit, there may come a time when they are unavailable or so scarce they must be reserved for dire circumstances.

For this reason, many preppers and self-reliant individuals are learning to use essential oils to manage both routine and uncommon maladies. A dozen or so essential oils belong in every survival kit, including tea tree, peppermint, lavender, clove, rosemary, and lemon. All have healing properties, but this guide focuses on just one: tea tree oil.

A Brief History of Tea Tree Oil

The Aboriginal people of Australia are believed to have used the leaves of the native Melaleuca tree (the source of tea tree oil) in medicines for centuries. They inhaled oil from crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds, sprinkled crushed leaves on wounds, and used leaf infusions for sore throats and skin ailments.

Use of the extracted oil became common after researcher Arthur Penfold published the first reports of its antimicrobial activity in the 1920s and 1930s. He found tea tree oil to be 11 times more active than phenol. The commercial tea tree oil industry emerged shortly after, though interest waned after WWII with the rise of antibiotics. It was rekindled in the 1970s during a renaissance of interest in natural products.

80 Survival Uses of Tea Tree Oil (Numbered & Categorized)

Skin & Wound Care

1. Abrasions & Minor Cuts – Clean the area well, then apply a few drops of oil directly. If a bandage is needed, soak a cotton ball with a few drops, place it face down on the wound, and bandage over it.

2. Acne – Add one drop to your normal cleansing routine or dab a tiny amount on breakouts. You can also add 20–40 drops to your regular face wash.

3. Blisters – Wash carefully, then apply as for cuts and wounds.

4. Boils – Apply a warm washcloth for a few minutes, then apply 1–2 drops of oil. The infection should rise to the surface and eventually release.

5. Bruises – After icing, apply oil as directed for arthritis (see #23).

6. Burns – Run icy cold water on the area. After a few minutes, apply a mix of 5 drops oil with 1 tsp raw honey. Repeat 3–5 times daily.

7. Calluses & Corns – Massage with 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp carrier oil, twice daily. Once soft, remove with tweezers, apply a few drops of tea tree oil, and cover with a bandage.

8. Chapped Lips – Add 1–2 drops of oil to lip balm and apply as needed.

9. Dermatitis – Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp grapeseed or other carrier oil. Massage into affected areas 2–3 times daily.

10. Dry Skin – Add 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp sweet almond oil. Massage into skin.

11. Eczema – Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp grapeseed or coconut oil. Massage into affected areas 2–3 times daily. Can also be applied undiluted.

12. Ingrown Hairs – Apply 1–2 drops of oil directly to the area. Repeat every 2 hours until signs of infection disappear.

13. Psoriasis – Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp carrier oil and massage into affected areas 2–3 times daily. Can also be applied undiluted.

14. Rashes – Mix with coconut oil and massage over affected areas.

15. Sunburn – Mix 1 tbsp coconut oil with 1 drop tea tree oil and 1 drop lavender oil. Gently apply to sunburned areas.

16. Tattoos – Apply after tattooing to avoid infection. Use undiluted, diluted with coconut oil, or as a spray with purified water.

Infections & Fungal Conditions

17. Athlete’s Foot – Clean feet thoroughly (especially between toes). Apply oil directly every two weeks, dust with cornstarch. Or mix 10 drops oil with 1 tbsp grapeseed oil and massage on feet and between toes daily.

18. Bacterial Infections – Use topically by massaging into reflex points of the feet, adding several drops to a bath, or cautiously applying over the infected site.

19. Bladder Infection – Add 10–15 drops of oil to a shallow bath. Sit and wash the area carefully.

20. Canker Sores – Apply 1–2 drops of oil directly with a cotton swab twice daily. Also rinse as directed for bad breath (#27).

21. Carbuncles – Apply 1–2 drops of oil to a cotton swab and apply directly twice daily.

22. Cold Sores – Apply 1–2 drops of oil directly with a cotton swab. Reapply 2–3 times daily.

23. Earache & Infection – Mix 2–3 drops oil with 2 tbsp warm olive oil. Use a dropper to place a small amount into the aching ear, tilt head for a moment, then absorb excess with a cotton swab. Repeat 2–3 times daily.

24. Gum Disease – Make a mouthwash with purified water, 1 drop peppermint oil, and 1 drop tea tree oil.

25. Nail Fungus – Apply 1–2 drops of oil directly to the nail and surrounding tissue. Allow to dry completely. Repeat morning and night for one week.

26. Ringworm – Apply 1–2 drops of oil undiluted twice daily. Can also mix with 1 drop lavender oil for added benefit.

27. Scabies – Apply 1–2 drops of oil directly to the area morning and night.

28. Staph Infection – Use topically, rubbed into the soles of the feet to increase immune response and fight infection.

29. Thrush – Gargle with sea salt, warm water, and 1 drop of tea tree oil (do not swallow).

30. Toenail Fungus – Rub oil directly onto the affected toenail and under the tip. Apply 1–2 drops once daily, preferably at bedtime.

Respiratory & Throat Issues

31. Allergies – Use topically by massaging into the chest, abdomen, or reflex points of the feet.

32. Asthma – Add a few drops of oil to a pan of water and heat on the stove. When cooling, drape a towel over your head and breathe in for a few minutes.

33. Bronchial Congestion – Use as directed for asthma. Also add 5–10 drops to 1 ounce carrier oil and massage into chest and throat 2–3 times daily.

34. Bronchitis – Add 1–2 drops to a pan of hot water and breathe in the steam, or massage oil over the chest.

35. Coughs – Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops and leave on for 5–10 minutes.

36. Emphysema – Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops to a steamer and leave on for 5–10 minutes.

37. Laryngitis – Add 5–10 drops oil and a pinch of sea salt to 1 cup warm water. Gargle 2–3 times daily. Do not swallow.

38. Sinusitis – Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops for 5–10 minutes. Also add 2 drops to a neti pot.

39. Sore Throat – Add 2 drops oil to 1 cup warm water with a pinch of sea salt. Gargle 2–3 times daily. Do not swallow.

40. Tonsillitis – Inhale from steaming water with tea tree oil, gargle, and massage into neck and soles of feet.

Pain, Inflammation & Muscles

41. Arthritis – Add 20 drops tea tree oil to 2 ounces grapeseed or other carrier oil. Massage into affected area 2–3 times daily.

42. Bunions – Massage area with 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp carrier oil.

43. Gout – Add 10 drops oil to 2 tbsp carrier oil. Massage into affected area 2–3 times daily.

44. Inflammation – Massage over inflamed areas gently toward the heart, or diffuse and inhale the oil.

45. Muscle Aches & Pains – Add 10–15 drops oil to half cup Epsom salts and dissolve in a bath. Or add 10 drops oil to 2 tbsp carrier oil and massage well.

46. Rheumatism – Add 20 drops tea tree oil to 2 ounces carrier oil. Massage into affected area 2–3 times daily.

47. Sciatica – Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp carrier oil and massage into affected areas 2–3 times daily. Can also be applied undiluted.

48. Sore Muscles – Fill a bathtub with warm water and add a few drops of tea tree oil to relax tight muscles.

Pest Control & Bites

49. Chigger Bites – Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.

50. Flea Bites – Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.

51. Head Lice – Add 20 drops oil to 2 tbsp shampoo. Massage into scalp and hair, leave for 10 minutes, rinse. Repeat 3–4 times daily until eggs are gone.

52. Insect Repellent – Add 15 drops to a quart of water and use as an effective insect repellent.

53. Mosquito Bites – Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.

54. Pest Control (Ants, etc.) – Put a few drops at points of entry to deter pests. Wipe cupboards with an oil-water solution to keep ants away.

55. Ticks – Apply 1–2 drops directly to the tick and the surrounding area.

Household Cleaning & Freshness

56. Air Freshener – Keep cotton balls soaked in tea tree oil in a plastic bag or tin. Take a few out to freshen foul, musty, or medicinal smells.

57. Baby Care (Diaper Pail) – Keep your diaper pail clean and fresh with a spray of tea tree oil mixed with water.

58. Homemade Mouthwash – Make a simple mouthwash with purified water and tea tree oil (1 drop per ounce; do not swallow).

59. Household Cleaning – Combine 2 teaspoons tea tree oil with 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Shake and use for cleaning, especially in bathrooms and toilets.

60. Laundry Helper – Add ½ teaspoon tea tree oil to laundry for towels and other fabrics prone to mold.

61. Mildew & Mold Remover – Spray the all-purpose cleaner (2 tsp oil + 2 cups water) on growing mold and mildew. Shake well before use; do not rinse.

62. Toothbrush Cleaner – Apply oil directly to toothbrush 1–2 times a week to kill bacteria.

Viral & Immune Support

63. Chicken Pox – Apply a drop of oil directly to blisters. Allow to dry, then dust with cornstarch. Repeat every few hours until blisters disappear.

64. Immune System – Diffuse tea tree oil through the air regularly, or massage into the soles of the feet to increase immune response.

65. Mumps – Massage oil over the body and into the feet, and diffuse through the home.

66. Rubella – Dilute as needed and massage into affected areas.

67. Shingles – Add 10–15 drops oil to half cup Epsom salts and dissolve in a bath. Also add 10 drops oil to 2 tbsp grapeseed or coconut oil and massage well.

68. Shock – Massage tea tree oil into the soles of the feet as needed.

69. Viral Infections – Diffuse tea tree oil throughout the home or inhale from steaming water.

Foot & Nail Conditions

70. Plantar Warts – Apply oil undiluted to affected area 2–3 times daily.

71. Warts – Apply undiluted directly to the wart morning and night until it begins to disappear. Dilute if necessary for sensitive skin.

Mouth & Oral Care

72. Bad Breath – Rinse with 1 ounce water and 1 drop oil. Do not swallow.

73. Homemade Mouthwash – See #58.

Bath & Body

74. Dandruff – Add 20–30 drops oil to any shampoo. Apply a few drops to scalp and massage after washing.

75. Jock Itch – Apply 10–15 drops oil to 2 tbsp carrier oil twice daily. Dust with cornstarch to reduce chapping.

76. Seborrhea (Skin & Scalp) – For skin: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp carrier oil, massage 2–3 times daily. For scalp: Add 10 drops oil to 2 tbsp shampoo, massage, leave 10 minutes, rinse. Repeat 3–4 times daily. For bath: Add 10–15 drops.

77. Vaginal Infection – Add several drops to bath water.

Miscellaneous First Aid

78. Infected Wounds – Add oil to steaming water and hold the infected area over the steam. Or dilute 1 drop tea tree oil with 1 cup water and rinse the infected area 1–2 times daily.

79. Stye – Add 5 drops oil to a pan of steaming water. Drape a towel overhead and steam for 5 minutes. Apply warm compresses directly to the stye.

80. Wounds (General) – Soak the wounded area in water with tea tree oil, or spritz from a bottle of water with several drops of oil. Depending on the wound and your sensitivity, you may apply directly.