Tea Tree Oil Melaleuca oil, 10ml anti fungal

Do you know why tea tree is called tea tree?

Almost 200 years back, a British explorer named Captain James Cook saw the native Australians preparing a drink from a plant’s leaves. He liked the taste of the tea so much that he named the plant ‘Tea Tree.’ However, this tea tree is not the same as the plant we get our teas from.

Tea tree oil is packed with strong antibacterial and antifungal properties that are being utilized in a wide variety of different infections. While we have already covered its antibacterial uses, it’s time to throw light on its antifungal benefits. (1)

Use Tea Tree Oil to Get Relief from Fungal Infections

Read on to know how you can use tea tree oil for fungal infections at home.

Method 1: Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by heavy dandruff and red, flaky patches on the scalp and surrounding skin. The condition is caused by a fungus called Malassezia. Being a strong antifungal agent, tea tree oil can be used to treat the condition completely and also prevent its recurrence.

Things you’ll need:

• Sulfur-based shampoo (controls dandruff) – 1 tablespoon
• Tea tree essential oil (antifungal) – 4 or 5 drops

Single-Step Treatment: Mix tea tree oil in shampoo & wash your scalp with it

• Mix 4 or 5 drops of tea tree essential oil into 1 tablespoon of a sulfur-based shampoo. You can use any other shampoo as well.
• Massage the shampoo onto your scalp and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Rinse your scalp with cool water, then let your hair air-dry.

Repeat 2 or 3 times every week to treat seborrheic dermatitis.

Method 2: Candidiasis

Vaginal yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is caused by the Candida albicans yeast normally found in every human being. Candidiasis can lead to swelling, itching, foul discharge and pain during urination or sexual intercourse. Tea tree oil is a potent antifungal that can provide immense relief from this debilitating condition, especially when the strand of yeast infection is resistant to prescribed medication such as Fluconazole. (3)

Things you’ll need:

• Tea tree essential oil (antifungal) – 1 or 2 drops
• Olive oil (carrier oil) – 1 tablespoon

Single-Step Treatment: Mix tea tree oil in olive oil and apply it around the vagina

• Squirt 1 or 2 drops of tea tree oil over 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• Mix the two well.
• Use clean fingers to apply the oil blend around your vagina.
• Let it sit for 6 to 8 hours, then reapply.
• Alternatively, you can also soak a tampon in the solution and insert it into the vagina for 1 hour.

Continue to use the remedy twice daily to get rid of the infection in 1 week.

Method 3: Jock Itch

Another way to use tea tree oil for fungal infections is by using it to treat jock itch, a fungal infection in the groin area associated with excessive sweating. You’ll need to dilute the tea tree oil first to avoid burning your skin. You can use coconut oil as the carrier oil. Not only will it soothe the itching, but coconut oil also has antifungal properties and will help kill the fungal growth.

Things you’ll need:

• Tea tree essential oil (antifungal) – 6 drops
• Extra-virgin coconut oil (carrier oil, antifungal) – 1 tablespoon
  

Single-Step Treatment: Dilute tea tree oil with coconut oil & apply it to the affected skin

• Mix 6 drops of tea tree oil into 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut oil.
• Soak a cotton ball in the blend and apply it on the infected area.
• Leave it on for 2 to 3 hours.
• Apply it again, using a fresh cotton ball each time.

Use this remedy several times a day for 2 weeks to treat jock itch.

Method 4: Nail Fungus

A nail fungus is marked by discoloration and yellowing of the nails. It affects toenails more often than fingernails, as the fungus breeds in dark and moist areas. The nail fungus can start in one nail, but it easily spreads to the adjoining healthy nails.

Tea tree oil combined with orange essential oil works as a fungicide to kill the invading fungi and curb its growth. The orange oil will also remove any foul smell resulting from the infection. The essential oils need to be mixed with olive oil before applying it on the nails for effective treatment.

Things you’ll need:

• Tea tree essential oil (fungicide) – 20 drops
• Orange essential oil (fungicide) – 10 drops
• Olive oil (carrier oil), optional – 1 tablespoon
  

Single-Step Treatment: Apply a blend of essential oils and olive oil to your nails

• Mix 20 drops of tea tree essential oil and 10 drops of orange essential oil into 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• Apply it on your infected nails.
• Leave it on for at least an hour before wiping off the excess oil with a paper towel.

Apply the oil blend several times a day for 2 to 3 months to treat the nail fungus completely. 

Method 5: Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is another fungal infection that develops between the moist areas of your toes and spreads to the nearby areas. Since tea tree oil has proven effective in treating different kinds of skin infections, using it for athlete’s foot will also give you positive results.

You’ll need to dilute it with coconut oil before applying it to kill the fungus. The coconut oil will also work as an antifungal agent as well as hydrate the skin for faster recovery. (4)

Things you’ll need:

• Tea tree essential oil (antifungal) – 5 to 7 drops
• Coconut oil (antifungal, carrier oil) – 1 tablespoon

Single-Step Treatment: Apply a tea tree and coconut oil blend to the infected area

• Mix 5 to 7 drops of tea tree essential oil into 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
• Soak a cotton ball in the oil blend and dab it over the infected areas.
• Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse it off and pat your skin dry.

Repeat twice every day for 1 to 2 weeks to get rid of athlete's foot completely.

Method 6: Ringworm

Ringworm is a ring-like fungal rash caused by the dermatophytes that live and thrive in the warm and humid areas of your skin (preferably arm pits, backs of the knees, groin area, etc.). Tea tree oil can prevent the rash from spreading and help kill the fungus to clear it all up. (5) You will need to dilute it first with a carrier oil, such as coconut, olive or jojoba oils, to avoid skin irritation.

Things you’ll need:

• Tea tree essential oil (antifungal) – 1 teaspoon
• Jojoba oil (carrier oil) – 2 tablespoons

Single-Step Treatment: Apply a tea tree and jojoba oil blend on the rash

• Combine 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil and 1 teaspoon of tea tree essential oil in a dark-colored bottle.
• Put the cap on and shake the bottle to mix the ingredients well.
• Soak a cotton ball in this oil blend and dab it over the rash.
• Let it dry naturally.

Apply this oil blend twice daily until the rash disappears. 

Method 7: Cradle Cap

Cradle cap refers to the crusty dandruff-like patches on the scalp of an infant. It can be due to overactive sebaceous glands or sometimes due to fungal growth. Regardless, tea tree oil can help eliminate any flaky growth on the scalp and treat the cradle cap although it should be noted that research has not been done to test the effectiveness on infant humans. (4)

Since tea tree oil is very strong, you need to dilute it with a carrier oil. We used olive oil here.

Things you’ll need:

• Tea tree essential oil (antimicrobial) – 1 or 2 drops
• Olive oil (carrier oil) – 1 tablespoon

Single-Step Treatment: Massage a tea tree and olive oil blend on the baby’s scalp

• Mix 1 or 2 drops of tea tree essential oil and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a bowl. Do not use too much tea tree oil, since it’s very strong and your baby’s skin is very sensitive.
• Apply some of this blend on your baby’s scalp and massage it for a few minutes. Make sure that the oil is nowhere near your baby’s eyes and nose.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes, then wash it off with mild baby shampoo.

Use this remedy 1 or 2 times weekly to get rid of cradle cap.

Method 8: Oral thrush

Oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is a yeast infection caused by the overgrowth of the Candida albicans fungus in the mouth. It manifests as a white coating over the tongue and other areas inside the mouth. The antifungal tea tree oil can be used as a mouth rinse to get rid of the oral thrush.

Single-Step Treatment: Mix tea tree oil in water & use as an oral rinse

• Add 3 to 4 drops of tea tree essential oil to 1 glass of warm water.
• Stir it well and use the solution to gargle and rinse your mouth for a few minutes. Do not ingest the solution.

Use this remedy twice daily for 1 week or until you get relief.

Tips to use tea tree oil for fungal infection

• Always store tea tree oil or in fact any essential oil in a dark and cool place to maintain their volatility.
• Avoid applying tea tree oil directly on your skin. Use a carrier oil for dilution.
• Opt for the 100% pure variety, especially when using tea tree oil for fungal infections.