Essential Oil Profile: Tea Tree

This powerful essential oil is a staple for every medicine chest. Its antiseptic actions are thought to be 100 times more effective than carbolic acid, yet it doesn’t harm body tissue! The Aborigines have been using this indigenous Australian tree in their medications for centuries, and today tea tree is the subject of a great deal of international research because of its many uses for a wide array of conditions.

The Properties of Tea Tree: (see the Herbal Terminology Post for definitions)

Antibiotic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antiviral, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Immune Stimulant, Anti-parasitic, Anti-infectious, Decongestant

Uses for Tea Tree Include:

Physical: Helps cuts, abrasions, insect bites, burns, mouth ulcers, cold sores, herpes, chicken pox, boils, warts, nail infections, jock itch, asthma, bronchitis, chest colds, catarrh, sinusitis, acne, blemishes, athlete’s foot, dandruff, ringworm, tonsillitis, upper respiratory infections, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, parasites.

Emotional and Mental: Counteracts shock, mental exhaustion, and hypochondria.

Spiritual and Energetic: None known.

Applications of Tea Tree Oil:

Handkerchief/Tissue: add one or two drops of the oil on a tissue or handkerchief and sniff often. This method is useful for the emotional and mental problems listed above as well as for colds, sinusitis, respiratory infections, and asthma.

Vapor: add 2-3 drops into a bowl of hot water and inhale the vapors deeply through the nose for one minute (be sure to close your eyes to avoid irritation.) This method is helpful for treating respiratory and sinus infections, asthma, and colds.

Massage Oil: add a maximum 5 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil and massage over the affected area. This method is helpful for cuts, abrasions, insect bites, burns, cold sores, herpes, chicken pox, boils, warts, nail infections, jock itch, bronchitis, chest colds, catarrh, sinusitis, acne, blemishes, athlete’s foot, ringworm, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and parasites. (remember to massage the abdomen in a clock-wise movement)

Baths: add a maximum of 8 drops to a warm bath and soak for at least ten minutes, breathing deeply and relaxing. This method is helpful for cuts, abrasions, insect bites, burns, herpes, chicken pox, boils, warts, nail infections, jock itch, bronchitis, chest colds, catarrh, sinusitis, acne, blemishes, athlete’s foot, ringworm, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, respiratory infections and parasites.

Showers: wash as normal then add 5 drops to your washcloth, luffa, or sponge and rub over yourself briskly while standing under the running water. Breathe Deeply. This method is helpful for cuts, abrasions, insect bites, burns, herpes, chicken pox, boils, warts, nail infections, jock itch, bronchitis, chest colds, catarrh, sinusitis, acne, blemishes, athlete’s foot, ringworm, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, respiratory infections and parasites.

Diffusers: add 1-6 drops to a diffuser and light the candle, or turn the diffuser on. Sit, relax, and breathe deeply for one minute. This method is helpful for the mental and emotional problems listed above, asthma, sinusitis, chest colds, bronchitis, and respiratory infections, and to help sanitize the air.

Humidifiers: add 4 drops to the water added into a humidifier. This method is helpful for the mental and emotional problems listed above, asthma, respiratory and sinus infections, and to help sanitize the air.

Neat: one or two drops can be applied neat to bug bites, cuts, burns, scrapes, warts, and pimples.

Contraindications: This oil can irritate the skin of people with very sensitive skin if used neat. If irritation occurs do not use the oil undiluted in the future.

Information pulled from:

The Fragrant Mind and The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood

The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl

Aromatherapy; A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils by Valeria Gennari Cooksley

Essential Oil Profile: Lavender

This beautiful oil is often called the “Mother of Essential Oils;” and like a mother it is comforting, warm, and performs many tasks at once. It is perhaps the most versatile and useful essential oil, and deserves to be in every medicine cabinet. This particular oil is also very unique from others in that it can be applied neat (undiluted) to the skin, and will not cause a negative skin reaction. Caution is still to be used with large doses however.

Lavender also can help us find a perfect balance of masculine and feminine traits that are within us all; it can help men become gentle, caring, and empathetic, and women strong, brave, and assertive.

The properties of Lavender: (See the Herbal Terminology Post for definitions)

Analgesic, Anti-Coagulant, Anti-Convulsive, Anti-Depressant, Anti-Fungal, Antihistamine, Anti-Infectious, Anti-Inflammatory, Antiseptic, Anti-Spasmodic, Antitoxic, Cardiotonic, Regenerative, Sedative

Uses for Lavender include:

Physical: Helps burns, inflammation, cuts, wounds, eczema, dermatitis, fainting, headaches, influenza, insomnia, migraine, infections, bacterial conditions, sores, ulcers, acne, boils, asthma, rheumatism, arthritis.

Emotional and Mental: Counteracts anxiety,  irritability, stress, tension, mental exhaustion, panic, hysteria, shock, apprehension, fears, nightmares, insecurity, loss of inner child, restlessness, moodiness, distraction, addiction, obsessive behavior, trauma, conflict, emotional violence, agitation, jitteryness, depression, psychosomatic illness, nervousness, worry, over-excitedness, burnout.

Nourishes security, gentility, compassion, balance, reconcile, vitality, clarity, comfort, acceptance, inner peace, restfulness, relaxed alertness, awareness, emotional balance, spiritual growth, meditative thought, visualization, rejuvenation.

Spiritual and Energetic: Lavender is an herb belonging to the element of Air and is in tune with the planetary energies of Mercury. When used in rituals and meditations it invites energies of high frequencies, which are very useful to the practitioner. Because of the characteristics of Air present in this oil, it helps activate the sixth chakra, and as a result produces clear thinking, and increased awareness.

Applications of Lavender Oil: (Never use essential oils internally unless instructed by a qualified health care professional)

Handkerchief/Tissue: add one or two drops of the oil on a tissue or handkerchief and sniff often. This method is useful for the emotional and mental problems listed above, as well as fainting and headaches.

Vapor: add 2-3 drops into a bowl of hot water and inhale the vapors deeply through the nose for one minute (be sure to close your eyes to avoid irritation.) This method is helpful for treating respiratory and sinus infections, asthma, and headaches.

Massage Oil: add a maximum 5 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil and massage over the affected area. This method is helpful for rashes, sore muscles, arthritis, and digestive problems. (remember to massage the abdomen in a clock-wise movement)

Baths: add a maximum of 8 drops to a warm bath and soak for at least ten minutes, breathing deeply and relaxing. This method is helpful for mental and emotional problems, muscle tension, digestive problems, respiratory and sinus infections, and asthma.

Showers: wash as normal then add 5 drops to your washcloth, luffa, or sponge and rub over yourself briskly while standing under the running water. Breathe Deeply. This method is helpful for mental and emotional problems, muscle tension, digestive problems, respiratory and sinus infections, and asthma.

Diffusers: add 1-6 drops to a diffuser and light the candle, or turn the diffuser on. Sit, relax, and breathe deeply for one minute. This method is helpful for the mental and emotional problems listed above, asthma, and to help sanitize the air.

Humidifiers: add 4 drops to the water added into a humidifier. This method is helpful for the mental and emotional problems listed above, asthma, respiratory and sinus infections, and to help sanitize the air.

Neat: one or two drops can be applied neat to bug bites, cuts, burns, scrapes, warts, and pimples.

Contraindications: Avoid in first trimester of pregnancy. Avoid if blood pressure is extremely low.

Information pulled from:

The Fragrant Mind and The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood

The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl