Also known as Melaleuca, a tree in which the leaves are used to make oil, aborigines have been using it as a medication for centuries! Check out just some of the uses for tea tree oil!

40 USES OF TEA TREE OIL FOR SURVIVAL:

For thousands of years, the derivatives of the Melaleuca Tree have been effective in treating a wide variety of ailments.  Here are 80 reasons why you should use it, too!

1 -Abrasions & Minor Cuts: After cleaning the area well, apply a few drops of the oil directly. If a bandage is needed, allow a few drops of the oil to penetrate a cotton ball, then lay it face down on the wound with a bandage on top.

2- Acne: Add a drop to your normal cleansing routine or dab a very small amount on acne breakouts.  You can also add 20 – 40 drops of the oil to your regular face wash.

3- Allergies: Use topically by massaging into the chest, abdomen or the reflex points of the feet.

4- Asthma: Add a few drops of oil to a pan of water and heat on stove. When cool, drape a towel over head and breathe in for a few minutes.

5- Bacterial Infections: Use topically, either massaging into the reflex points of the feet, adding several drops to a bath or cautiously applying over an infected site.

6- Bladder Infection: In a shallow bath, add 10 – 15 drops of oil. Sit and wash area carefully.

7- Blisters: Wash area carefully, then apply as for cuts and wounds.

8- Boils: Apply a warm washcloth for a few minutes. Then apply a drop or two of oil to the area – the infection should rise to the surface and eventually be released.

9- Bronchial Congestion: Use as directed for Asthma. Add 5 – 10 drops to 1 ounce of carrier oil, and massage into chest and throat 2 – 3 times daily.

10- Bruises: After icing, apply oil as directed for Arthritis.

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

12- Chapped Lips: Add 1 or 2 drops of oil to lip balm. Apply to lips as necessary.

13- Chicken Pox: Apply a drop of oil directly to blisters. Allow to dry, then dust with corn starch. Repeat every few hours or until blisters disappear.

14- Chigger Bites: Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.

15- Coughs: Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops to steamer and leave on 5 – 10 minutes.

16- Dry Skin: Add 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp sweet almond oil. Massage into skin.

17- Earache and Infection: Add 2 – 3 drops of oil to 2 tbsp warm olive oil. With a dropper, drop a small amount into aching ear, tilting head to one side for a moment. Use a cotton swab to absorb oil. Repeat 2 – 3 times daily.

18- Flea Bites: Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.

19- Gum Disease: Create a mouthwash with purified water, 1 drop of peppermint and 1 drop of tea tree oil.

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

21- Hives: Add 10 drops of oil to 4 tbsp of witch hazel. Apply with cotton ball. Or, mix with coconut oil (which is naturally healing and soothing itself) and gently apply to the infected areas.

22- Homemade Mouthwash:  Make a simple homemade mouthwash with purified water and tea tree oil.

23- Household Cleaning:  Can be used aromatically or added to homemade cleaners to kill germs and prevent the spread of colds and flus.  You can make a general tea tree cleaner by combining 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend and use for household cleaning tasks.  This is especially good in the bathroom and in toilets.

24- Immune System:  To stimulate the immune system, diffuse through the air on a regular basis. Massage into the soles of the feet to increase your immune response.

25- Infected Wounds:  Adding the oil to steaming water, hold the infected area over the steam. Or dilute 1 drop of tea tree with 1 cup of water and rinse the infected area 1-2 times a day, as needed.

26- Inflammation:  Massage over the inflamed areas, gently and always toward the heart, or diffuse and inhale the tea tree oil directly or indirectly.

27-Insect Repellant: Add 15 drops to a quart of water and use as an effective insect repellent.

28- Jock Itch: Apply 10 – 15 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of carrier oil. Apply 2 times daily. Dust with corn starch, to reduce chapping.

29- Laryngitis: Add 5 – 10 drops of oil and pinch of sea salt to 1 cup of warm water, gargle 2-3 times a day. Do not swallow!

30- Mosquito Bites: Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.

31- Muscle Aches and Pains: Add 10-15 drops of oil to half cup Epsom salts, and dissolve in bath. Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of carrier oil. Massage well.

32- Nail Fungus: Add 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to nail and the surrounding tissue. Allow to dry completely on hands before touching anything. Repeat morning and night for a week.

33- Pest Control:  Household ants and other pests dislike Tea Tree oil, so a few drops put at the point of entry will deter them. Wipe cupboards out with an oil and water solution to keep ants away.

34- Rashes:  Mix with coconut oil and massage over the affected areas.

35- Ringworm: Apply a drop or two of oil undiluted, repeat 2 times daily.  Can also mix 1 drop of tea tree oil with 1 drop of lavender oil for added benefit.

36- Scabies: Apply 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to area in the morning and at night.

37- Sciatica: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp carrier oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. Also can be applied undiluted.

38- Shingles: Add 10-15 drops of oil to half cup Epsom salts, and dissolve in bath. Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of grapeseed oil or coconut oil and massage well.

39- Sore muscles: Fill your bathtub with warm water. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water to relax tight muscles.

40- Sore Throat: Add 2 drops of oil to 1 cup of warm water with pinch of sea salt, gargle 2-3 times a day. Do not swallow!

And these are only forty things list. There are many more over on Backdoor Survival including staph and viral infections, warts, wounds, and even a toothbrush cleaner!

While in some cases the oil may need to be diluted it is amazing just how incredibly useful it is – something every survivalist should have in their prepping arsenal!