Tea Tree (Melaleuca) Essential Oil
Tea tree oil is a very powerful substance and can effectively fight a yeast infection. There is a lot of research that indicates tea tree oil is an effective remedy for Candida albicans. One study, published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, found that small concentrations of this oil were able to inhibit several different species of Candida.
One caveat when using tea tree oil–make sure you are careful to not poison yourself. Ingesting even a small amount of tea tree oil can make you sick; a little bit more and you can die.This oil is indeed powerful, but it can be dangerous. Try diluting this oil in other oils when you use it. It may also be wise to consult a knowledgeable apothecary or doctor before you start using this essential oil.
Naturally and Safely Eliminating a Yeast Infection with Tea Tree Oil
If you have ever used tea tree oil before, or if you have done enough research on this essential plant oil, you know that tea tree oil can irritate the skin. According to Dr. James A. Duke, using tea tree oil to treat a yeast infection should be done as a “last resort.” Dr. Duke recommends trying other safer herbal remedies before trying tea tree oil due to the potential irritation of the skin that tea tree oil can cause. If you still want to give tea tree oil a try, Dr. Duke recommends speaking to a medical doctor and getting their advice before trying to use this powerful herbal antiseptic.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil on Yeast Infections
If you have exhausted other herbal remedies and you still wish to try tea tree oil to treat your yeast infection, there are several methods you can utilize to harness the power of tea tree oil. Some women who have had yeast infections that could not be completely eliminated using pharmaceuticals like clotrimazole and nystatin have had better results using tea tree oil. Keep in mind that tea tree oil is a very toxic substance and small amounts of the oil, such as a few teaspoons, can be fatal if ingested.
Skin and Nail Yeast Infections
Any yeast infection that occurs on the nails or the skin (such as on the outside of the penis and the skin around the opening to the vagina) can be treated by applying a few drops of tea tree oil to the infected area. If you want to help reduce the chances of the tea tree oil irritating your skin, you can dilute the oil with an equal amount of vegetable oil. If you experience too much discomfort you should halt your use of tea tree oil or try diluting it with even more vegetable oil.
If you plan on using tea tree oil to treat diaper rash, make sure you consult a licensed medical doctor before you use tea tree oil on your baby’s skin. Make sure you do not use pure tea tree oil on a baby’s skin. You may also want to use a zinc ointment on the skin to treat diaper rash as well.
Vaginal Yeast Infections
If you have a vaginal yeast infection you can mix equal parts of tea tree oil and vegetable oil and apply it directly to the vagina. You can also combine a few drops of tea tree oil to some warm water and use this mixture as a douche. You can also make a sitz bath and add a few drops of tea tree oil to the bath water and douche with the bath water while you are in the bath.
Because the vaginal area is so sensitive you should discontinue your use of tea tree oil if you experience any irritation or discomfort. Additionally, you should never use 100% tea tree oil on the vaginal area; instead use the tea tree oil on the vaginal area only after you dilute it with vegetable oil. It would be wise to consult a medical doctor before you use tea tree oil on your vagina.
Oral Thrush
If you are suffering from oral thrush and want to use tea tree oil to treat it, you should first discuss this course of action with your doctor. As mentioned earlier, swallowing a few teaspoons of tea tree oil can be fatal. Ask your doctor about commercially prepared tea tree oil toothpaste and mouthwash. Such commercially prepared tea tree oil products are likely to have a safe concentration of tea tree oil in them and may help clear up your oral thrush.
You can also make your own tea tree oil toothpaste and mouthwash by adding a very small amount of tea tree oil to your toothpaste and mouthwash. Before you decide how much tea tree oil to add to your toothpaste or mouthwash, make sure you consult a licensed medical doctor to be sure you are not getting a dangerous amount of the oil in your mouth. Make sure if you do use tea tree oil in your mouth that you never swallow the products that contain the tea tree oil.
For more information on Therapeutic Aromatherapy, follow this link.
To read the research on how tea tree oil would affect Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, visit: Candida Hub.
