Fresh, sharp, and cleansing – These are the three words commonly used to describe tea tree oil. Also known as melaleuca oil, this popular essential oil has been used for centuries for immune support. Today, the beneficial properties of this powerful essential oil make it a popular ingredient in skin care, shampoos, deodorants, and salves. You can also use it in your diffuser to freshen the air and purify your room.
So let's dive in and figure out how to use this energizing essential oil in your diffuser to brighten up your day.
What is tea tree oil?
Tea tree oil is steam distilled from the leaves of Melaleuca Alternifolia, a tree native to Australia. It is well-known for its fresh camphoraceous odor.
The tea tree has been a part of Aboriginal medicine for thousands of years. Captain James Cook, a British explorer, noticed the indigenous people brewing these leaves to make a tea that smelled like nutmeg and coined the name tea tree. However, you must be aware that this is not the same tea plant that is used to make black tea.
Biological name – Melaleuca alternifolia
Plant part – leaves and twigs
Processing method – steam distillation
Color – Pale yellow
Consistency – thin and clear
Aroma – Medicinal, fresh and camphoraceous
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Tea tree oil aromatherapy benefits
Using the tea tree oil in a humidifier benefits you in several ways –
- With a couple of drops, the fresh and sharp aroma of tea tree oil deodorizes and purifies the air in your home when you diffuse it. Plus it helps remove musty odors.
- It reduces stress, and this helps prevent stress-related illnesses.
- It also helps you sleep better as it can soothe aches and pains that may be preventing restful sleep.
- The fresh scent of tea tree oil helps improve your mood and provides mental clarity.
To get tea tree oil benefits, you can add three to four drops of tea tree oil to your diffuser and place it in your room or add a few drops of essential oil to a spray bottle for a room spray. I like to add my favorite citrus blends like Young Living's Citrus Fresh to create a light and fruity scent.
You can also blend tea tree oil with other essential oils to create easy essential oil recipes for your diffuser.
Tea tree oil diffuser recipes
For quick stress relief, here are some essential oil diffuser blend 3recipes for relaxation that contain tea tree oil –
Calming blend
Tea tree oil – 3 drops
Eucalyptus oil- 3 drops
Rosemary oil – 2 drops
Bye-bye stress
4 drops Tea tree oil
4 drops Lavender oil
3 drops Eucalyptus oil
2 drops Lemon oil
Happiness Blend
Tea tree oil – 4 drops
Eucalyptus oil – 4 drops
Lavender essential oil – 3 drops
Clean air blend
Clove oil – 3 drops
Tea tree oil – 3 drops
Cinnamon bark oil – 1 drop
Purify blend
Tea tree oil – 3 drops
Clove oil – 2 drops
Lemongrass oil – 2 drops
Fresh air blend
3 drops Tea tree oil
3 drops Lavender oil
2 drops Sweet Orange oil
2 drops Cedarwood oil
If you already own a diffuser, these easy essential oil recipes for diffusers are a great way to help you relax in no time. You can use these free essential oil recipes and create your blends in advance. Just add a few drops to your diffuser, and you are set to relax.
If you don’t own a diffuser, there is no need to worry. You can make a reed diffuser at home and enjoy the benefits of these blends. Reed diffusers are inexpensive and work great for small rooms. You can use tea tree oil in your reed diffuser recipes to improve your mood. Here's an easy reed diffuser recipe for you –
What you need to create a reed diffuser
Reed diffuser sticks
A glass bottle
Fractionated coconut oil – ¼ cup
Tea tree oil – 15 drops
Eucalyptus oil – 10 drops
Sandalwood oil – 5 drops
Instructions
Put the fractionated coconut oil and the essential oils in the glass bottle. Stir the mixture to distribute the essential oils, and then add the reed diffuser sticks.
It may take a day for the essential oils to make their way up the diffuser and start diffusing the oils in the air.
Tea tree oil benefits for skin
You can also gain from the many benefits of tea tree essential oil by using it topically. Here are some tea tree essential oil recipes for skin –
Improves dry skin
Tea tree oil can help moisturize dryness in the skin and alleviate the itchiness caused by it. To use, add a drop tea tree to your moisturizer and use it daily.
Improves oily skin
If you have oily skin, which causes breakouts, tea tree oil can work wonders for you. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil in your toner or sunscreen and use it daily.
Calms irritated skin
If you have painful and irritated skin, using tea tree oil can help reduce the redness and swelling. Add one drop of tea tree oil to a carrier oil and apply it to the affected area daily.
Clears Dandruff
Tea tree oil helps remove dead skin cells from the scalp and helps in supporting a healthy scalp. Using tea tree oil on your hair also helps to keep hair healthy and promotes growth. Dilute tea tree oil with carrier oil and apply it to your scalp and hair. Rinse it off after 20 minutes.
Eucalyptus and tea tree oil benefits
Although you can blend tea tree oil with many essential oils, the most popular combination is eucalyptus and tea tree oil.
Eucalyptus oil and tea tree are both native to Australia. Eucalyptus oil is beneficial for relieving skin dryness. Other than being a good moisturizer, it is also an excellent insect deterrent. Tea tree oil soothes dry and itchy skin by moisturizing it. When used together, they provide numerous benefits.
Clears breathing
If you think you are coming down with the blahs, a blend of eucalyptus, tea tree, and lemon essential oils can support clear breathing and energize you as well. This versatile oil blend also smells great as a natural air freshener. I really like to use these popular essential oils during the winter months to support our immune system. Plus it makes our house smell so good.
3 drops Tea tree oil
5 drops Peppermint oil
2 drops Eucalyptus oil
5 drops Lemon oil
2 drops Frankincense oil
Reduces soreness
You can also use these oils topically to reduce muscle aches and soreness. Always add a carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil or sweet almond oil before using essential oils on your skin. This mixture should not be used on young children and applied in a small amount.
1/2 cup of carrier oil
4 drops Eucalyptus oil
4 drops Tea tree oil
3 drops German chamomile oil
2 drops Peppermint oil
2 drops Lemongrass oil
Side effects of tea tree oil
Now that we have answered all your questions about what does tea tree in a diffuser do, you may be wondering if it has any side effects. While tea tree oil should never be ingested, you can use it topically and diffuse it in the air safely. Overuse and wrong usage of tea tree oil can lead to side effects.
Side effects of inhalation
Overuse of tea tree oil can lead to headaches, nausea, vertigo, and irritate mucous membranes. Therefore tea tree should be used in small amounts and not on a daily basis.
Side effects of topical application
If we do not dilute tea tree oil properly, it can lead to itching, burning, stinging, and skin redness.
Side effects in dogs
If you plan to diffuse tea tree oil around your pet, the first thing you must do is ask your vet, “Is tea tree oil in diffuser bad for dogs?”
Many essential oils such as tea tree, eucalyptus, cinnamon, and ylang-ylang are toxic to pets whether applied on their skin or used in diffusers.
Inhaling diffused essential oils cause breathing problems for your dog, especially if used in a small space or used for a long time.
People also ask –
Now that you know what is tea tree in a diffuser is good for and what side effects it can cause if misused, we can answer some of your other questions on the same topic –
Are essential oils in diffuser bad for your lungs?
Generally, essential oils are considered safe when diffused into the air in a well-ventilated space and inhaled. However, some people may find diffusing essential oils irritating to their airways. So, it is important to use essential oils following the product guidelines.
If you don't have any existing lung problems, it is safe to diffuse a few tea tree oil drops for a limited amount of time. Diffusing tea tree oil won't put you at any risk unless you have allergies.
However, you should be more cautious if you have a lung condition like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The dangers of essential oil diffusers is real and easy to avoid.
Please read my post on five diffuser mistakes to avoid when diffusing essential oils to know more.
Is tea tree oil good for humidifiers?
Yes, using tea tree oil in the humidifier is a good choice. It freshens and purifies the air in the room. Here is my favorite humidifier made to also diffuse essential oils.
Final thoughts
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has many benefits and uses. Discover the unique benefits of tea tree oil by using the easy essential oil blend diffuser recipes that we have created for you. Avoid overuse and wrong usage to prevent any side effects.
Written by Manveen Grewal , Edited by Ruth Rackley