The essential facts
- It is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), native to Australia
- Antimicrobial – prevents growth of nasty microorganisms
- Antiseptic – kills any nasty microorganisms that try to grow
- Antifungal – kills fungus that might grow on surfaces
- Anti-inflammatory – stops redness and swelling from getting out of hand
- My oils come from tea tree farms in Eastern Australia
What is Tea Tree Oil?
Antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory but totally pro health and benefits! Tea tree oil has been a staple in the alternative medicine cabinet for decades. It is said that soldiers in World War II used them for wounds because of its antiseptic properties.
It has also been recorded that the Bundjalung Aborigines of northern New South Wales have reaped the benefits of this oil when they inhale crushed tea tree leaves to treat coughs and colds and also use them to treat wounds (read more about it here). I say if it is good enough for soldiers and tribes to use then it is certainly good enough for me to use in my daily life!
The tea tree plant is native to the eastern part of Australia, specifically Queensland and New South Wales. I source my tea tree oil by personally visiting tea tree farms and closely liaising with tea tree suppliers and oil distillers in Australia. Currently, Australia produces about 80% of the world’s supply of tea tree oil.
I personally think that it is of the best quality, has the best aroma, and is of the best composition. That is why I chose to bring this amazing oil to my Ollie-lovers. I have personally been to the plantations and have established relations with the farmers and distillers, so quality is personally assured by me. Nothing but the best for Ollie-lovers!
The antimicrobial and antiseptic properties of the oil come from its monoterpenoid composition which basically means that it is deadly to microbes. This is why tea tree oil is used so often in products which kill germs like acne treatments and disinfectants.
It is especially effective at clearing bacterial and fungal infections. A few diluted drops applied on the skin can clear even the most stubborn acne and reduce scars. It is also a great remedy for athlete’s foot, hair lice, skin inflammation, and many other skin issues. You can also use tea tree oil with your laundry detergent, as an all-purpose cleaner, hand sanitizer, and so much more!
Ollie Caution!
TEA TREE OIL CANNOT BE CONSUMED ORALLY
It is toxic when ingested and can cause symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, diarrhoea, and vomiting. Tea tree oil should only be used topically (on the skin) and not on any mucous membranes such as the eyes or inside the mouth. Before using, always dilute it with a carrier oil of your choice, such as almond oil.
How is Tea Tree Oil Produced?
As a consumer of essential oils, knowing where your oils come from is very important. Some suppliers might dilute the oils which mean you will not be getting the full benefits from your money’s worth. I refuse to do that! Transparency and honesty is key for me. I have personally sourced the suppliers and distillers, and have conducted detailed tests on the oil to check for quality in order to give you the best quality product!
My tea tree oil is sourced from New South Wales in Eastern Australia, where I believe the best quality tea tree leaves come from. I am committed to sustainability, so I source my oils only from those farms that don’t employ harmful chemicals in their cultivation of tea trees and production of oils.
The leaves are harvested around July then passed through steam which opens up the pockets of oil inside each leaf. Using steam distillation produces the purest and most concentrated form of tea tree oil. The oil evaporates with the steam and this mixture is then condensed.
Finally, it is separated from the condensate, collected then bottled. I personally test every incoming batch of oil for colour, odour, composition and character to ensure it meets the highest standards, before I bottle them for you!
Pure tea tree oil is a very active and volatile oil, and has a low flash point which makes it easily flammable. Pour some pure oil in a low quality plastic or even a PET bottle, and the bottle will collapse right away.
It is therefore very important to store and treat this oil right for your own safety and a longer shelf life. I always sell my tea tree oil in tinted glass bottles. Only glass bottles of a certain grade are licensed to hold 100% pure tea tree oil, and ours meet those standards! Storing the oil in dark glass bottles minimizes exposure to sunlight.
Direct sunlight, as we know, is not good for these oils because it causes the oils to oxidize, resulting in change of composition, loss of quality, and potency. Store my tea tree oil in a cool place away from direct sunlight and it can last for up to 3 years or more!
The Top 6 Benefits of Tea Tree Oil
Demand for tea tree oil is growing every year, with production expected to cross 800 million tonnes this year. Its natural antimicrobial and antiseptic properties mean that it could be a great alternative medicine to have on hand to keep the bad stuff away – perfect for these COVID-19 times!
I always keep a bottle of Ollie’s Australian Tea Tree Oil stocked in my medicine cabinet and I get through it very quickly! Let me share with you all the amazing ways I use tea tree oil.
1. Treatment for Acne
Arguably the most popular use for tea tree oil in current times. Acne is caused when bacteria are stuck in pores that are not cleaned out.
Tea Tree Oil gets rid of acne by eliminating the pimple causing bacteria and could serve as prevention for future bacteria growth. Its anti-inflammatory property also aids in reducing the horrible redness and swelling that comes with acne and when we poke at our zits, therefore helping to speed up the healing process for the skin.
Remember to wash your skin before applying tea tree oil to your face so any excess dirt and oil is removed. Add a drop or two of Ollie’s Australian Tea Tree Oil to 20 drops of carrier oil such as coconut and use a clean cotton ball to dab it onto your skin. Then follow up with a moisturizer suited to your skin type.
2. Treatment for Fungal Infections
The only fungus I want is the kind that tastes delicious when lightly sautéed (mushrooms of course!) Any other fungus, especially ones on the skin can go away! The antifungal property of tea tree oil is a popular remedy for nail fungal infections.
Studies have found that tea tree oil is as effective as commercial fungal treatments such as clotrimazole for treating nail fungus. Some would say that this oil might even be the better choice because it is natural, organic, and has no side effects.
Mix 2 drops of my Australian Tea Tree Oil in 20 drops of a carrier oil such as almond oil and dab the mixture on a cotton swab. Wrap the swab around the affected nail and keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat this method daily till the nail fungus disappears (usually 6-8 weeks).
Alternatively, you can add 2-3 drops to a pail of warm water, dilute it, and use it as a foot bath. Remember to keep your nails trimmed, clean, and dry to prevent that nasty fungus from returning!
3. Natural Hand Sanitizer
My Australian Tea Tree Oil makes for the perfect natural, homemade hand sanitizer. Its powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties keep many disease-causing pathogens such as E. coli, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae away! These bad bacteria are responsible for illnesses ranging from common colds to diarrhoea.
Store-bought hand sanitizers often contain many additives that can be harmful for your health. Especially in times like the COVID-19 crisis, where hand sanitizers are a must, making your own hand sanitizers is a great idea because you will know exactly what is in them and you can even play around with additional properties you may want to insert. Perhaps a scented one?
Check out my tried & tested recipe for homemade, natural hand sanitizers below, plus other oils that you may want to include for added benefits at our store. If you’re just a little busy out there conquering the world, I also have my wonderfully fresh hand sanitizer spray already formulated and bottled for your convenience and enjoyment… and it uses my tea tree oil!
4. Natural Deodorant
It’s hard to stay fresh and smell great in the hot and humid weather of Singapore, but tea tree oil can help with that too!
Bad odour is caused by the bacteria that live on the skin of your underarms. While sweat itself is odourless, when it mingles with the bacteria in your armpits, it results in the sour stench that is associated with sweaty underarms. Tea tree oil, with its antibacterial properties combats this by killing the bacteria responsible for producing this odour. Make your own natural deodorant with tea tree oil. Check out the recipe below!
5. Natural antiseptic
One of tea tree oil’s main properties is its antiseptic nature. If you have kids running about who are constantly getting cuts and scrapes, this is a great addition to your medicine cabinet. Just wash or clean the cut to remove mud or dirt,, mix 1 drop of Ollie’s Australian Tea Tree Oil with 1 teaspoon of Coconut Oil and apply to the wound. Cover it with a plaster, and do this daily till a scab forms. The antiseptic properties of tea tree oil kill any germs that could potentially infect the cut and its anti-inflammatory property will reduce stinging and promote the wound to heal faster!
6. Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
Store bought all-purpose cleaners have many chemicals that are harmful for the human body, The specific chemicals in these cleaners include ammonia, ethylene glycol monobutyl acetate, sodium hypochlorite and/or trisodium phosphate. These can irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat. They are also highly poisonous to both humans and animals if ingested accidentally.
This is probably why you should switch to a natural, chemical-free all-purpose cleaner where possible. Tea tree oil makes a great addition in all-purpose cleaners because it does a good job sanitizing surfaces while having the ability to kill off many different types of harmful bacteria.
It also smells lovely and doesn’t leave any harmful chemical residue on surfaces. Try making your own homemade, natural all-purpose cleaner with my recipe below!
My Australian Tea Tree Oil has so many benefits to offer and the list above is hardly exhaustive. Experiment with Tea Tree Oil and see what works for you. You will not regret introducing this oil into your collection!
How to use Tea Tree Oil?
Alright… we have delved into the many wonderful and beneficial properties this oil has. Now let’s look at how we can use this oil to its fullest potential!
Another Ollie Caution!
Like any other essential oil, Tea Tree Oil has to be used sparingly and always diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or almond oil. You should never use tea tree oil without diluting because it can cause burns and severe irritation. It must not be ingested or applied to mucous membranes such as inside the mouth, eyes, nose, or genitals. It can cause poisoning.
Keep essential oils away from pets at all times as they are extremely toxic. If you do wish to use tea tree oils on your pets, always speak to your vet first. Pets tend to lick/groom themselves and may end up ingesting the oil by accident. This can cause palpitations, excess salivation, and eventually death. So… be extra cautious!
Using essential oils can be a very rewarding experience if used correctly. Don’t worry… with every bottle of oil purchased, there are essential instructions on the carton and the label to guide you on your experience.
Easy DIY Tea Tree Oil Recipes
Step one: Purchase my Australian Tea Tree oil here
Step Two: Try any of these easy recipes!
Natural Hand Sanitizer
This fun and easy recipe will yield about 110 grams of a very effective hand sanitizer that smells amazing!
Ingredients:
- 30 drops of Ollie’s Australian Tea Tree Oil
- 7 drops of Ollie’s Himalayan Lavender Oil
- 85 grams of 99% Denatured Alcohol
- 30 grams of Aloe Vera Gel
- ¼ teaspoon of any carrier oil (I recommend Almond Oil)
Instructions:
- Mix the Tea Tree Oil and Lavender oil with the Almond Oil, stir until fully combined.
- Add the alcohol to the oil mixture and mix it well.
- Add the aloe vera gel to the alcohol-essential oil mixture.
- Store in tinted squirt bottles so the essential oils don’t go rancid.
- Give it a quick shake before use.
This hand sanitizer will easily last you 6-8 months if you store it in a cool, dry place. But I reckon with the current COVID-19 climate, you will go through a bottle in less than 3 months!
Natural Deodorant Recipe
Brand-name deodorants often contain many chemicals and traces of metals like aluminum that could potentially cause skin irritation and cancers. Also think of all the waste that is generated from numerous empty deodorant bottles. Save the environment and smell fresh at the same time with this easy, DIY, all-natural deodorant recipe.
Ingredients:
- 3 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil
- 3 Tablespoons of Shea Butter
- ¼ cup or 35 grams of cornstarch
- ¼ cup or 35 grams of baking soda
- 25 drops of Ollie’s Australian Tea Tree Oil
Instructions:
- Over a double boiler, melt the coconut oil and shea butter.
- Remove the oil mixture from the double boiler and let it cool slightly (but don’t let it harden).
- Stir in the cornstarch, baking soda, and tea tree oil into the melted coconut oil-shea butter mixture.
- Pour it into a deodorant stick or container, and let it cool. (It will harden as it cools.)
- Wait overnight before using.
Not only is this deodorant natural and environmentally friendly, it works really well too! The addition of coconut oil and shea butter will leave your underarms feeling smooth and fresh while keeping you smelling awesome!
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
Are you worried that the store bought all-purpose cleaner might be leaving traces of dangerous chemicals in your environment? Are you looking for an alternative version that does that job just as well but does not have any questionable ingredients? This is just the product for you!
Ingredients:
- 20 drops Ollie’s Australian Tea Tree Oil
- ½ cup or 120 ml Apple Cider Vinegar
- ¾ cup or 175 ml water
Instructions:
- Mix the 20 drops of tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, and water together into a spray bottle.
- Shake well until thoroughly mixed.
- Shake before every use.
Just like that… you have a natural all-purpose cleaner that contains all the benefits and none of the harsh chemicals. The tea tree oil will help sanitize surfaces while apple cider vinegar will help keep away any unwanted pests like ants and cockroaches! The best part… it will also keep your house smelling oh-so fresh!
The Takeaway
I hope you are as intrigued by this truly healing oil as I am and I do hope you add it to your essential oils collection. Let the healing begin!
Be creative and try out the recipes that I have shared with you!
Share your experience with me on social media. I would LOVE to see what you have done with my oils! Tag me @ollie_oils on Instagram and Facebook.
Once you’re done mastering this oil, why not try out the rest of amazing oils we have? Shop now!
Have an Ollie good day!
