Herbal Remedies
Herbs & oils
Amber bottle of tea tree oil with small white flowers
OilEssential oil

Tea tree oil

Melaleuca alternifolia

A household bottle for diluted skin spots and a fresh-scented clean.

Tea tree is a cleaning-cupboard oil more than a perfume. It smells medicinal and camphor-green. Dilute it. Do not drink it. A drop in a foot soak or a spray bottle is the usual home pattern.

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Traditional uses

  • Diluted dab on a blemish (carrier oil, patch test)
  • A few drops in a shoe or bin spray
  • Added to unscented castile soap for a sink-side wash

How to prepare

  1. 1

    Spot: 1 drop in 1 tsp jojoba. Cotton swab. Do not use neat.

  2. 2

    Spray: 150 ml water, 1 tsp alcohol, 10 drops. Shake hard.

  3. 3

    Foot soak: 2 drops stirred into a tablespoon of carrier, then into a basin of warm water.

Kitchen & home

  • Label the bottle clearly so it never meets the spice rack.
  • The smell fades; do not keep mixing stronger to chase it.
  • Wipe surfaces after a strong spray — it can dull some finishes.

Go gently

  • Toxic if swallowed. Store as you would a cleaner.
  • Can irritate skin. Never undiluted.
  • Keep away from cats and from children’s mouths.