The first recorded use of the Aussie oil was in the 1920s, when it was revered as a germ fighter1. In fact, Australian soldiers were supposedly encouraged to keep the oil in their military kits during World War II as an antibiotic. It quickly spread to the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, and other European countries, and these days there are massive plantations across Western Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales growing the product on a large scale. The oil has a slightly astringent and woody scent, and you can find it both as a neat essential oil and as an active component in various topical salves and creams. Taz Bhatia, M.D., an integrative doctor and mbg Collective member, recommends throwing in some peppermint oil, too, for max relief: “Melaleuca oil, better known as tea tree oil, functions as an antifungal and antibacterial. It can help kill candida and, with the help of peppermint, soothe an itchy scalp.” To use, make sure to blend the tea tree oil with a carrier oil like argan or jojoba—both non-comedogenic and acne-friendly—you should never apply essential oils directly to the skin. After blending, dab tea tree oil and carrier oil blend onto a damp cotton ball or Q-tip and applying to trouble spots. Since tea tree can cause irritation in some people, you should always test out your blend on a small patch of skin before applying to larger areas. You can also work tea tree oil into a homemade face mask by mixing 2 tablespoons of green clay powder with 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil and enough water to make a paste. Let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing. Tea tree oil has also been shown to improve tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot, in up to 64 percent6 of cases. To take preventive measures against athlete’s foot, you can refresh stinky sneakers using a blend of eucalyptus and tea tree oils, mixed with baking soda. Place directly into shoes, shake around, and let them sit overnight. Yogi Camila Matos has also found that tea tree oil mixed with water makes for a great mat cleanser after a sweaty class, writing “Tea tree oil can also be used to clean your yoga mat. Whip up a quick and simple batch of the best yoga mat cleaner ever. It’s organic, smells amazing, leaves no residue, and won’t hurt your skin or the environment.” “Not all oils have expiration dates on them, which really concerns me,” Mariza Snyder, D.C., a functional medicine practitioner and author of Smart Mom’s Guide to Essential Oils, tells mindbodygreen. “If they don’t, you really don’t know what you’re working with.” When you are looking for a topical cream that incorporates the ingredient, look for ones that are 5 percent tea tree first and see how your skin reacts before working up to higher concentrations.
