Organic Tea Tree Oil Uses, Benefits & Recipes

Origin: Tea Tree Oil is extracted from the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree, which is native to Australia.
Botanical Name: Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden et Betche) Cheel.

Medicinal Benefits: Aborigines have been using it for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. Tea Tree Oil is a natural antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and detoxifying agent. Tea tree oil is purported to have antiseptic properties and has been used traditionally to prevent and treat infections.
Milestone: In 1923, A.R. Penfold conducted a study of tea tree and found that it was a powerful antiseptic.
Fun Fact: The Australian military issued tea tree oil in the first-aid kits of soldiers during World War II.
Aroma: Warm, spicy, medicinal and volatile. It is occasionally used to scent spicy colognes and aftershaves.
Aromatherapy Benefits: Cleansing, purifying, uplifting. Tea tree oil is used in a variety of body care products including soap, shampoo, toothpaste, lip balm, topical cream, and essential oil.

HOUSEHOLD USES

• Mold Killer: In a spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons tea tree oil and 2 cups water. Shake to mix. Spray on mold. No need to rinse off.
• All Purpose Cleaner: Add 1 teaspoon of 100% pure oil to 1 gallon of water when washing windows, floors, toilets, bathrooms, and kitchen surfaces.
• Laundry Refresher: Add 2 teaspoons of 100% pure tea tree oil to the washing machine to freshen up your laundry and remove odors.
• Natural Pest Repellent: Household ants and other pests dislike tea tree oil. Put a few drops where you see activity or traffic to deter them.
• Natural Moth Repellent: Wipe cupboards out with an oil and water solution to deter moths.
• Scuff Mark Remover: For vinyl/linoleum floors: Add a few drops of pure tea tree oil to a damp cloth to easily rub off marks.
• Shower Cleaner: Clean shower doors and prevent soap build up with a tea tree oil/water solution. After washing down walls and removing grime and mildew, wipe over again with a tea tree oil/water solution to prevent mildew re-growth.
• Diaper Pail Cleaner: Spray diaper container with tea tree oil and water mixture.

SKINCARE USES

• Acne: Tea Tree Oil is the perfect product for people with oily or troubled skin. Its natural antibacterial properties help soothe acne break outs without drying skin. Apply 1 drop to a cotton ball moistened with water and apply to break out. Tea tree oil may reduce the number of inflamed and non-inflamed lesions.
• Insect Bites: Tea Tree Oil can help soothe insect bites. Apply a few drops to a wet cotton ball and apply to bites. Tea Tree Oil is also excellent to soothe minor burns, scrapes, and insect bites.
• Athlete's Foot (tinea pedis): Apply a few drops to a wet cotton ball and apply to affected nail. You can also place a drop in a water bath to soak affected feet.
  
• Dandruff: Effective in improving the conditions associated with dandruff and can reduce flaking and itching.
• Allergic Skin Reactions: Early small studies show that tea tree oil applied to the skin may reduce histamine-induced inflammation.
• Oral Care: Tea Tree Oil is used in mouthwash for dental and oral health.

RECIPES

Mouth Freshening Gargle

Ingredients

• 2 drops peppermint essential oil
• 1 drop myrrh essential oil
• 1 drop tea tree oil

Directions: Blend with a small amount of milk (rice, soy, dairy, hemp, almond, etc.) gargle or swish in the mouth for approximately 60 seconds several times each day. Continue as necessary. Water is o.k., but the fat in the milk acts as a buffer and effectively distributes the oils. Take care not to swallow.

Purification - Combat body aches, chills and congestion with a soak in this preventative eucalyptus and tea tree blend. These powerful anti-microbial oils will cleanse and open breathing.

Ingredients

• 14 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 8 drops tea tree essential oil
• 14 drops grapefruit essential oil
• dead sea salt
• optional: sprinkle 1 or 2 tablespoons of finely ground rolled oats into the bath to soften the skin and relieve irritation and itchiness.
  

Disinfecting Floor Cleaner

Ingredients

• 1 ounce liquid castile soap
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 4 drops tea tree essential oil

Directions - Combine all ingredients in a 1-gallon bucket of warm water.

Disinfecting Toilet Bowl Cleanser - Utilize the cleaning and disinfecting benefits of essential oils and enjoy a pure aromatherapy experience.

Ingredients

• 18 ounces water
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
• 20 drops white thyme essential oil or lavender, tea tree or lemon oil

Directions - Combine in a 22 oz. spray bottle.

Tea Tree Oil Products

Aura Cacia Essential Oil Organic Tea Tree
Desert Essence Organic Tea Tree & Lavender Oil
Desert Essence Organic Tea Tree Oil
Dr. Bronner's Organic Tea Tree Shaving Gel
Dr. Bronner's Organic Shikakai Tea Tree Body Soap
Dr. Bronner's Organic Liquid Tea Tree Soap
Dr. Bronner's Organic Tea Tree Bar Soap
Frontier Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil
Organic Fiji Bar Soap Tea Tree Spearmint
Tisserand Aromatherapy Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil

Find Tea Tree Items at organicgurus.net

How do you use Tea Tree Oil? Let us know by posting a comment.

Sources; Mayo Clinic, Desert Essence. Recipes courtesy of Aura Cacia.

Make your Own Eco-Friendly Soft Scrub Cleaner

Join The Smart Mama as she shows you how to make a non-toxic, non-abrasive, eco-friendly soft scrub for use on countertops, sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls.

Recipe:

• mix 1/2 cup of baking soda
• 1/8 cup of castile soap (Dr. Bronner's is recommended)
• 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin
  
• for scent add 10 drops of essential oil, such as lavender or rose (optional)

Notes: Make only as much as you will use in one cleaning session, because it dries out quickly. Unscented castile soap is recommended if you choose to add your own essential oils.

Shop for the ingredients:
Dr. Bronner's Castile Soaps
Essential Oils

Host an Organic Fair Trade Tea Party

Danielle Venokur from dvGreen is throwing a "green" tea party and you're invited! Watch her talk about how to throw an eco-friendly tea party. This could be a ladies’ lunch, bridal shower or baby shower, but what it is first and foremost is a tea party.



shop for organic & fair trade tea

15 Uses for Organic Jojoba Oil

Jojoba is a perennial woody shrub native to southern Arizona, southern California and northwestern Mexico. Native Americans extracted the oil from Jojoba seeds to treat wounds and also used the oil as a skin and hair moisturizer. Many of the beneficial properties of Jojoba come from the fact that it matches the molecular structure of hair and skin sebum. As a result, Jojoba is able to quickly penetrate the skin and scalp without leaving an oily residue.

There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on products to reduce lines, smooth frizzy hair or remove makeup. Jojoba Oil is simple, natural, and has so many uses and benefits.

1. Eye Makeup/ Face Makeup Remover - Add a few drops to fingers or to a cotton ball and wipe over eyes and face. Rinse off with water or follow with regular cleanser.

2. Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin - Add a few drops to fingers or cotton ball. Cleanse face. Remove with water.

3. Facial Moisturizer - Cleanse face. Apply a few drops to fingers and then pat onto damp skin.

4. Foot and Hand Softener - Use alone or add a few drops to your regular moisturizer. Apply to hands and feet.

5. Intense Foot Treatment - Apply oil all over feet. Wrap in plastic and put on socks. Leave on for at least one hour. Feet will be beautifully soft and smooth.

6. Body Moisturizer - Apply immediately after the shower or bath while skin is still damp. It seals in moisture, leaving skin soft and smooth.

7. Massage Oil - Great for a massage therapist or for use at home. Perfect for sensitive skin.

8. Bath Oil - Add a few drops to the bath to leave skin moisturized, soft, and smooth. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for soothing aromatherapy.

9. Hair and Scalp Massage - Add a few drops to hands. Massage into scalp to relieve dryness.

10. Split End Mender - Add a few drops to your hands. Rub hands together and then apply to ends of your hair. You can also run hands lightly over damp hair to smooth frizzies. Remember to use only a drop or two.

11. Deep Conditioning Treatment for Hair - Pour a quarter-sized amount of oil into hands. Smooth over damp hair, applying most of oil to ends. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Shampoo out and style as usual.

12. Lip Conditioner - Apply to finger and smooth onto lips. Great as an overnight treatment as well.

13. Cuticle Oil - Apply a few drops to rough, dry cuticles at least once per day.

14. Shave Prep - Apply to your beard or desired area beneath your shaving product. Helps prevent razor burn and leaves skin smooth and soft.

15. Aftershave Moisturizer - Apply directly after shaving to soothe and moisturize skin.

Available at organicgurus.net

Source: Dessert Essence

10 Common Cosmetic Ingredients to Avoid

By Aubrey Hampton founder of Aubrey Organics

If you want natural products, you have to be willing to search them out. Learn to read labels, and refuse to settle for half-natural hair and skin care. Below I've listed and described the "ten most wanted"- the ten chemicals I most want to see off the labels of so-called natural hair and skin care products.

1. Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Paraben - Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Studies have shown that they are weakly estrogenic and can be absorbed by the body through the skin. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic.

2. Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA) - Often used in cosmetics as emulsifiers and/or foaming agents. They can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation and dryness of hair and skin. DEA and TEA are "amines" (ammonia compounds) and can form cancer-causing nitrosamines when they come in contact with nitrates. Toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

3. Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea - These are widely used preservatives. The American Academy of Dermatology has found them to be a primary cause of contact dermatitis. Two trade names for these chemicals are Germall II and Germall 115. Neither of the Germall chemicals contains a good antifungal agent, and they must be combined with other preservatives. Both these chemicals release formaldehyde, which can be toxic.

4. Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS) - A cheap, harsh detergent used in shampoos for its cleansing and foam-building properties. Often derived from petroleum, it is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the phrase "comes from coconuts." It causes eye irritation, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, skin rashes and other allergic reactions.

5. Petrolatum - Also known as petroleum jelly, this mineral oil derivative is used for its emollient properties in cosmetics. It has no nutrient value for the skin and can interfere with the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dryness and chapping. It often creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is unbelievably cheap.

6. Propylene Glycol - Ideally this is a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. It has been known to cause allergic reactions, hives and eczema. When you see PEG (polyethylene glycol) or PPG (polypropylene glycol) on labels, beware-these are related synthetics.

7. PVP/VA Copolymer - A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, styling aids and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since inhaled particles can damage the lungs of sensitive persons.

8. Stearalkonium Chloride - A quaternary ammonium compound used in hair conditioners and creams. Developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, it is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which are beneficial to the hair. Causes allergic reactions. Toxic.

9. Synthetic Colors - Used to make cosmetics "pretty," synthetic colors, along with synthetic hair dyes, should be avoided at all costs. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C Green No. 6. Many synthetic colors can be carcinogenic. If a cosmetic contains them, don't use it.

10. Synthetic Fragrances - The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have as many as 200 ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since on the label it will simply read "fragrance." Some problems caused by these chemicals include headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation-the list goes on. Advice: Don't buy a cosmetic that has the word "fragrance" on the ingredients label.

Time to Toss That Toxic TV?

Ever wonder where your e-waste winds up? Toxic Villages, a pod by Laura Ling, is a must see. Below are some resources & ideas that will enable you to eCycle your old electronics safely.

• Post curb alerts on Craigslist.org in the free section under the for sale category
• Contact your local township's recycling department to inquire about available recycling programs
• Find a group on Freecycle.org
• Visit Earth911.com
• Locate a recycler at the Electronic Industries Alliance
• Find more eCycling programs at the EPA
• Learn more: view our eHow article

50 Ways to Go Green!

50 Ways to Go Green try one today!

Easily & Affordably Green and Clean Your Shower & Bath Water

Skin is our largest organ yet it's one of the most neglected. If your water is not purified you are absorbing toxins through your skin every time you shower & bathe. Chlorine can leave your hair dry and brittle, make your skin flaky and itchy and can cause acne. It also causes scale and discoloration to tubs and showers. Have a healthier shower, get softer, clearer skin and great hair by simply using a water filter. Learn how: view our eHow article

Shopping Savvy for Organic Foods

Go Organic!

• Top 10 reasons to go organic
• 10 more reasons to go organic
• Certified Organic Label Guide