Table of Contents
Tea tree essential oil is a fresh, medicinal-smelling oil used for blemish-prone skin, tired feet, an itchy scalp, minor scrapes and natural cleaning. It's one of the most practical oils you can own, and it's a staple in my first aid kit.
Below is my tea tree oil profile, how to use it safely, my favorite everyday uses, and 10 tea tree diffuser blends that make its strong scent a lot more friendly.
Tea Tree Essential Oil Profile
Botanical Name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Plant Family & Part Used: Myrtaceae; leaves
Scent: Medicinal, earthy, warmly woody. Top to middle note.
Traditionally Used For: Skin blemishes, foot care, itchy scalp, minor scrapes, household cleaning.
Max Dilution: Up to 3% (my practice recommendation).
Safety: Replace bottles that smell sharp or off. Oxidized tea tree is more likely to cause skin sensitization.
Blends Well With: Lemon, Rosemary, Peppermint, Lavender, Pine
Shelf Life: 2 to 3 years
Substitutes: Niaouli, Manuka, Ravensara
What Is Tea Tree Oil?
Tea tree oil is steam distilled from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a small tree native to the wetlands of New South Wales, Australia. The Bundjalung people have used tea tree leaves for generations, and today it's one of the best-known essential oils in the world. You'll often see it labeled melaleuca.
It has nothing to do with the tea you drink. That comes from Camellia sinensis.
Tea Tree's Cousins
A few related oils come from the same plant family and are easy to confuse. Check the botanical name on the label:
- Lemon tea tree (Leptospermum petersonii): lemony and bright, closer to lemongrass in scent.
- Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium): from New Zealand, softer, warmer and honeyed.
- Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia): sweeter and more camphor-like, a gentle substitute.
- Cajeput (Melaleuca cajuputi): fresh and camphor-like, often used in breathing blends.
Not sure what you have? Learn how to choose quality essential oils.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil Safely
Tea tree is gentle enough for most people when it's diluted and fresh. Old, oxidized tea tree is the most common cause of skin reactions, so buy small bottles, keep the cap tight, and store it somewhere cool and dark.
| Use | Dilution | Per 1 Tbsp (15 ml) | Per 10 ml Roller |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face, kids 2+, daily use | 1% | 3 drops | 2 drops |
| Body, feet, spot use | 2% to 3% | 6 to 9 drops | 4 to 6 drops |
- Don't use it undiluted. Neat tea tree is a common cause of irritation and allergy over time.
- Patch test on your inner arm first, and stop if you see redness or itching.
- Never swallow tea tree oil. It's toxic if swallowed, so store it well out of reach of children.
- Keep it away from cats and dogs. Tea tree is one of the oils most often linked to pet poisonings. Don't apply it to pets or diffuse it where cats can't leave the room.
- Kids 2+: keep topical blends at 1%.
Read my 7 essential oil safety tips and dilution guide for more.
Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil
For Blemish-Prone Skin
Add 2 drops of tea tree to 2 teaspoons of jojoba or aloe gel (about 1%) and dab it on blemishes or along the T-zone at night. My witch hazel pads are another easy option. Keep it away from your eyes.
For Tired, Sweaty Feet
Tea tree is a classic for foot care. Try my tea tree foot soak with Epsom salt, or add a few drops to an unscented foot cream. Keep feet clean and dry, and see a doctor or podiatrist for nail or skin problems that don't go away.
For an Itchy, Flaky Scalp
Add 1 to 2 drops to a palmful of shampoo and massage it into your scalp. It pairs well with rosemary and lavender. See my best essential oils for hair.
For Minor Scrapes
Wash the scrape with soap and water and pat it dry. Then apply a 2% blend of tea tree and lavender around (not into) the area and cover it with a bandage. Deep cuts need medical care.
For Itchy Bug Bites
A 2% roller with tea tree and lavender is soothing on bites. Here's my bug bite itch remedy.
For a Natural Deodorant
Tea tree and lavender make a fresh, clean-smelling deodorant. Try my lavender melaleuca deodorant.
For Natural Cleaning
Tea tree's fresh scent is a natural fit for cleaning. Add it to my homemade toilet bowl cleaner, or mix 10 drops of tea tree and 10 drops of lemon with 1 cup of water and 1 cup of white vinegar in a glass spray bottle for counters and sinks (skip vinegar on natural stone). See more ways to clean with lemon oil.
For Fresher Laundry and Gym Bags
Add 5 drops to your washer's rinse cycle, or put a couple of drops on a cotton ball and tuck it in a gym bag or shoe overnight.
In a Diffuser
On its own, tea tree can smell a bit like a medicine cabinet. Paired with citrus, lavender or woods, it turns fresh and clean. Learn what to mix with tea tree in a diffuser, then try the blends below.
10 Tea Tree Diffuser Blends
Add these drops to a standard ultrasonic diffuser (about 100 ml of water). Diffuse for 30 to 60 minutes at a time in a ventilated room, and keep the door open for pets. Wondering what to mix with tea tree oil in a diffuser? These are my favorites.
1. Fresh and Clean
The simplest tea tree blend, and my go-to when the house needs a reset. Read more about lemon and tea tree.
- 3 drops Tea Tree
- 3 drops Lemon
2. Citrus Breeze
Sweet orange softens tea tree's medicinal edge. See my tea tree and orange blends.
- 2 drops Tea Tree
- 3 drops Sweet Orange
- 1 drop Grapefruit
3. Calm and Clear
A clean, relaxing blend for evenings.
- 2 drops Tea Tree
- 3 drops Lavender
- 1 drop Cedarwood
4. Forest Walk
Woodsy and grounding, like a walk after rain.
- 2 drops Tea Tree
- 2 drops Fir
- 2 drops Cedarwood
5. Breathe Easy
Cool and clearing for stuffy days. (adults and kids 10+)
- 2 drops Tea Tree
- 2 drops Eucalyptus
- 2 drops Peppermint
6. Minty Fresh
Crisp and energizing. More ideas in tea tree and peppermint. (adults and kids 6+)
- 3 drops Tea Tree
- 2 drops Peppermint
- 1 drop Lime
7. Herb Garden
Green, herbal and clean. (adults and kids 6+)
- 2 drops Tea Tree
- 2 drops Rosemary
- 2 drops Lavender
8. Bright Morning
A sunny, uplifting start to the day.
- 2 drops Tea Tree
- 2 drops Lemon
- 2 drops Bergamot
9. Cozy Clean
Warm and spicy with a fresh finish. Skip clove if you're pregnant.
- 2 drops Tea Tree
- 3 drops Sweet Orange
- 1 drop Clove
10. Spa Day
Floral, fresh and calming.
- 2 drops Tea Tree
- 2 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Geranium
More Tea Tree Blends and Recipes
Want to mix your own? My guide to what tea tree essential oil blends well with covers the best pairings, ratios and more recipes for skin, hair and cleaning.
- Tea Tree and Peppermint Blend Benefits
- Tea Tree and Orange Blend Benefits
- Lemon and Tea Tree Blend Benefits
- Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak Recipe
Ready to make your own roller blends? My rollerball remedy kits include everything you need. You can also browse my list of 150 essential oils or grab a free essential oil guide.
Essential Oil Guide for Beginners - Getting Started
$ 5.99
Beginner's Essential Oil Guide - Download/Printable Learn how to safely and effectively make essential oils a part of your everyday life. Everything you need to know about essential oils. If you have ever been around anyone who loves using essential… Read More
