The benefits of tea tree oil

This is a sponsored post. I received product and/or compensation in exchange for the possibility of a review. The views expressed are my own.

For years, I've heard wonderful things about tea tree oil. However, until recently, I'd never tried it for myself. As with all products sent to me for review, I check them out with an open mind. I'm picky about what I review, so it's rare when I actually don't like something.

I'll tell you right now, I really like the Australian-harvested tea tree oil I received from Apothecary Extracts. Seriously. I also loved the downloadable "recipe" book, 54 Uses for Tea Tree Oil, that accompanied the oil and was amazed at the number of things tea tree oil can be used for. I must admit, it reminded me a bit of vinegar in its multiple uses, but it certainly smells better. 

Even though I am not a medical professional, I could go on and on listing the positive attributes of tea tree oil, but I'm going to simply focus on a few. Because of its antiseptic properties, it is both medicinal and disinfecting, which makes it the perfect choice for treating:

• acne
• cold sores
• dandruff
• fleas
• gout
• jock itch
• psoriasis
• ringworm
• toenail fungus
• yeast infections
• and more

It can be used to make household cleaners, detergents, and bathroom/kitchen disinfectants. And it's the perfect choice for homemade personal care products such as:

• body wash
• facial cleanser
• lotion
• shampoo
• soap
• and even toothpaste!

I do want to note that melaleuca tea tree oil should only be used externally. It is not to be used internally or by anyone who has an allergy to tea tree oils. That should go without saying, but I wanted to stress the point that those who are allergic should avoid all contact.

This past Friday, I mentioned how tea tree oil can be used to treat head lice and I included a recipe for tea tree oil shampoo, so I won't repeat it here. If you want to check out the recipe, click here.

While I haven't yet tried the shampoo, I did use the 100% pure Australian tea tree oil I received from Apothecary Extracts to rinse my hair and I can't tell you how much I loved the result! I added couple of drops to a pitcher of warm water and poured it over my freshly washed hair. Once dry, my hair was shiny, tangle-free and amazingly soft. I just might use tea tree oil more often than I use apple cider vinegar as a rinse (shocking, I know!). 

If you have a daughter with long hair, you probably have wanted to take a razor to it at one point or another. It seems tangled hair is inevitable with little girls. Tea tree oil to the rescue! 

Detangling Tea Tree Oil Conditioner

What you'll need:

• 10 drops tea tree oil
• 1 TBSP apple cider vinegar (of course)
• Clean spray bottle (make sure it's never had any chemicals in it)
• 1 cup distilled water

Mix the oil, vinegar, and water and then spritz onto damp hair and comb through. Yea! It's time to skip the tears.

If you've been following Green Grandma for long, you know how I feel about fabric softener (hint: I hate it!). While our family sticks to distilled white vinegar in the wash and wool dryer balls in the dryer, I know some of you are resistant to change. You like the scent dryer sheets leave behind on your clothing, towels, and sheets. You do know it's toxic, right? That's why I was thrilled to see the following recipe in the book that accompanied my tea tree oil:

Tea Tree Oil Dryer Sheets

What you'll need:

• Old t-shirts, flannels, or towels cut into 5"x7" rectangles
• Container with airtight lid
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar (see, I don't divert much from my first love!)
• 8 drops tea tree oil
• 4 drops lavender oil
• 2 drops lemon essential oil

Place cloths in airtight container, stacked against each other. Pour vinegar into large glass bowl and whisk in oils until blended. Pour mixture over the cloths until saturated and seal container. Pull out one sheet at a time to add to your laundry as you throw it in the dryer. Make sure you save each "sheet" and whip up a new batch as needed, using the same cloths over and over again.

How's that for an eco-friendly solution to your dryer sheet needs? 

Here's one more recipe from the book that I'd like to share:

Topical Tea Tree Oil Treatment

What you'll need:

• 10-15 drops of tea tree oil
• 1 TBSP coconut, grapeseed, or jojoba oil
• Plastic or glass container 

Add tea tree oil to liquid oil (heat up coconut oil if it's solid) and store in container. Use cotton ball or swab to apply to affected areas to treat acne, toenail fungus, pain associated with sciatica and rheumatism, etc.

With my husband's recent bout with gout, in addition to drinking tart cherry juice, he started using the topical tea tree oil treatment and massaging his foot and elbow (yeah, he had a double bout with it) twice a day. It provided significant relief.

You can always Google more uses for tea tree oil, but if you want the 54 Uses for Tea Tree Oil book, you just need to purchase the Apothecary Extracts Tea Tree Oil. Then you get the benefit of both! 

While this seems like a glowing review, there are some downsides I want to point out. I added 5 drops of tea tree oil to a warm bath on 2 different nights. Both times I had to get out of the tub because my thighs started burning. It wasn't bad enough that I had to follow up with a shower, but it was too uncomfortable to stay in the tub. Obviously, I have some kind of sensitivity to the tea tree oil. 

The other downside isn't about the oil itself; it's about the booklet that accompanies the oil. While I loved the wide array of recipes, I was a little bummed out that most of them call for additional essential oils, most of which I do not have on hand. That means I couldn't take advantage of the recipes without spending more money. That was disappointing. Also, the .pdf file includes lots of color photos, most of which are irrelevant and are simply used as fillers. Because of the photos, it is totally impractical to print the guide and I am one who likes printed copies of things. I simply don't like storing things on my computer. If I want to check a recipe, I don't want to turn on my desktop to find it. 

So, it's not all good, but it's pretty darn close.

Reviewing it for you,

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

When green isn’t attractive

There’s a certain shade of green that needs to be eradicated from our homes….that dark, dark, almost-black, shade of green. The shade of mold and mildew. Yuck.

One of the four most common allergic triggers, mold is not just unpleasant…it’s dangerous, particularly for infants, small children and pregnant women, and can cause a variety of health problems including allergies, asthma, chronic respiratory symptoms, recurrent infections, persistent fatigue and headaches. Plus, high exposure to mold has been linked to pulmonary hemorrhage and hemosiderosis in infants.

According to Fungal Research Group Foundation, Inc., the rise in asthma and allergies is linked to microbial products – fungal spores and hyphae, moisture problems, dampness and exposure to mold. And the June 1999 issue of Environmental Health Perspective includes the statement: “exposure to molds may constitute a health threat to children resulting in respiratory symptoms in both the upper and lower airways, an increased risk of infections, and skin problems.”

Mold-related illnesses can evolve from irritation, causing burning eyes, congestion, cough and post-nasal drip; allergy, which manifests with itchy, watery eyes, congestion, cough, sneezing, wheezing and tightness in your chest; toxins, which can affect the skin as well as respiratory, immune and nervous systems; and infection, such as chronic sinus infection.

“But I don’t have a mold problem in my home,” you may be thinking, but guess again. Mold is insidious in its ability to remain hidden. For example, did you know your refrigerator drip pan should be cleaned every two or three months? Why? Because it’s the perfect breeding ground for mold and as the mold grows, the fan from the refrigerator blows the spores into your kitchen. Ewww.

Mold also loves to play tag with you via your heating and air conditioning ducts. Installing High Efficiency Low Pressure Air filters (HELPA) will help trap the mold spores as they prepare for an attack. Using a HEPA air purifier will also help to reduce these, as well as other indoor pollutants.

Cutting down on mold in your home can also be accomplished by installing and using exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms. Keep the humidity level low in your home (less than 50%) by running dehumidifiers or air conditioning. On low humidity days, open your house up and let it breathe in some fresh outdoor air. If you find any water leaks in your home, take care of them immediately and don’t allow mold and mildew the opportunity to take root.

Before you grab a bottle of bleach and prepare to do battle, stop for a minute and think about the harmful effects breathing in bleach fumes can cause. There are better, greener ways to attack the problem.

One effective solution for combating mold and mildew can be found in a spray bottle filled with 2 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil. Shake up the bottle before each use and spray generously onto the mold and mildew. Do not rinse off. After a couple of hours, you can wipe the solution away, or just let it go if it’s inside your shower or tub. It couldn’t get much easier.

For those who prefer a more active approach, spread a thick layer of baking soda on the spots where the mold and mildew are growing. Follow with a spray of straight distilled white vinegar. Be prepared for the chemical reaction to follow – Scrubbing Bubbles' eco-friendly cousins bubbling and fizzing as they go to work. Grab a scrub brush, apply plenty of elbow grease and rinse. Voila! No more ugly dark, dark, almost-black, green.

If you’re not comfortable with these simple homemade solutions to this not so simple problem, order a bottle of MOLD-OFF, an environmentally-friendly mold and mildew cleaner that contains no chlorine or bleach. www.moldoff.org.

Mold – it’s not the color green we’re after. Take it seriously, and for the health of your family, get rid of it!

Keeping it green,

Hana