Gaye Levy
Activist Post
Essential oils have been used for healing and medicinal purposes for
centuries and most certainly long before we had pills, capsules and big
pharma to take care of our medical woes. And while there is a place for
manufactured pharmaceuticals in our survival medicine kit, there exists
the possibility that none will be available or that they will be in
such scarce supply that they should be reserved for only the most dire
of circumstances.
For that reason, many preppers and individuals seeking self-reliance are
learning to use essential oils to manage the both routine and
not-so-routine maladies that occur in daily life. There are about a
dozen or so essential oils that belong in every survival kit including
tea tree, peppermint, lavender, clove,
rosemary and lemon among others. All of these essential oils have healing properties but today I would like to focus on just one,
tea tree oil.
A Brief History Of Tea Tree Oil
It is believed that the Aborigines of Australia have been using the
leaves of the indigenous Malaleuca Tree (whose leaves are used to make
tea tree oil) in their medications for centuries. They inhaled the oils
from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds, sprinkled crushed
leaves on their wounds and used an infusion of soaked leaves to treat
sore throats or skin ailments.
Use of the oil itself, as opposed to the un-extracted
plant material, did not become common practice until researcher Arthur
Penfold published the first reports of its antimicrobial activity in a
series of papers in the 1920s and 1930s. In evaluating the antimicrobial
activity, he found that tea tree oil was 11 times more active than
phenol.
The commercial tea tree oil industry was born shortly thereafter
although interest in tea tree oil ebbed after World War II, presumably
due to the development of effective antibiotics and the waning image of
natural products. Interest was rekindled in the 1970s as part of the
general renaissance of interest in natural products.
80 USES OF TEA TREE OIL FOR SURVIVAL
For thousands of years, the derivatives of the Malaleuca Tree have been
effective in treating a wide variety of ailments. Here are 80 reasons
why you should use it, too!
Abrasions & Minor Cuts: After cleaning the area well, apply a
few drops of the oil directly. If a bandage is needed, allow a few
drops of the oil to penetrate a cotton ball, then lay it face down on
the wound with a bandage on top.
Acne: Add a drop to your normal cleansing routine or dab a very
small amount on acne breakouts. You can also add 20 – 40 drops of the
oil to your regular face wash.
Air Freshener: Keep a supply of cotton balls soaked in
tea tree oil
packed away in a plastic bag or tin. When confronted with foul smells
from cooking, musty orders from dampness or even the medicinal smell in a
sick room, take a few out the freshen the air and remove the nasty
smell.
Allergies: Use topically by massaging into the chest, abdomen or the reflex points of the feet.
Arthritis:
To help reduce pain associated with the swelling of arthritis, add 20
drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of grapeseed or other carrier oil.
Massage into affected area 2-3 times a day.
Asthma: Add a few drops of oil to a pan of water and heat on
stove. When cooling, drape a towel over head and breath in for a few
minutes.
Athletes Foot: Clean feet thoroughly, especially between toes. Add oil directly to feet every two weeks, dusting with
corn starch after. Or add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp of grapeseed or other carrier oil and massage on feet and between toes daily.
Baby Care: Keep your diaper pail clean and fresh with a spray of tea tree oil mixed with water.
Bacterial Infections: Use topically, either massaging into the
reflex points of the feet, adding several drops to a bath or cautiously
applying over an infected site.
Bad Breath: Rinse with 1 ounce water and 1 drop oil. Do not swallow!
Bladder Infection: In a shallow bath, add 10 – 15 drops of oil. Sit and wash area carefully.
Blisters: Wash area carefully, then apply as for cuts and wounds.
Boils: Apply a warm washcloth for a few minutes. Then apply a
drop or two of oil to the area – the infection should rise to surface
and eventually be released.
Bronchial Congestion: Use as directed for Asthma. Add 5 – 10 drops to 1 ounce of carrier oil, and massage into chest and throat 2 – 3 times daily.
Bronchitis: Add 1-2 drops to a pan of hot water and breath in the steam, or massage the oil over the chest.
Bruises: After icing, apply oil as directed for Arthritis.
Bunions: Massage area with 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp. of carrier oil.
Burns: Run icy cold water on area. After a few minutes, add a mix of 5 drops oil with 1 tsp. raw honey. Repeat 3 – 5 times daily.
Calluses & Corns: Massage area with 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp. of
carrier oil. Repeat 2 times daily. Once the corn or calluses have
become soft use tweezers to remove, and apply a few drops of tea tree
oil and cover with bandage.
Canker Sores: Apply a drop or two of oil directly to infected
area with a cotton swab, 2 times daily. Also, rinse as directed for bad
breath.
Carbuncles: Add a drop or two of oil to cotton swab and apply directly to carbuncle. Repeat twice daily.
Chapped Lips: Add 1 or 2 drops of oil to lip balm. Apply to lips as necessary.
Chicken Pox: Apply a drop of oil directly to blisters. Allow to
dry, then dust with corn starch. Repeat every few hours or until
blisters disappear.
Chigger Bites: Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.
Cold Sores: Apply a drop or two of oil directly to the sore with a cotton swab. Re-apply 2 – 3 times daily.
Coughs: Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops to steamer and leave on 5 – 10 minutes.
Dandruff: Add 20 – 30 drops oil to any shampoo. Apply a few drops to scalp and massage after washing.
Dermatitis: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp of grapeseed or other oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily.
Dry Skin: Add 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp sweet almond oil. Massage into skin.
Earache and Infection: Add 2 – 3 drops of oil to 2 tbsp warm
olive oil. With a dropper, drop a small amount into aching ear, tilting
head to one side for a moment. Use cotton swab to absorb oil. Repeat 2 –
3 times daily.
Eczema: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp grapeseed oil or coconut oil
and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. Also can be
applied undiluted.
Emphysema: Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops to steamer and leave on 5 – 10 minutes.
Flea Bites: Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.
Gout: Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of carrier oil; massage into affected area 2-3 times a day.
Gum Disease: Create a mouthwash with purified water, 1 drop of
peppermint oil and 1 drop of tea tree oil.
Head Lice: Add 20 drops of oil to 2 tbsp shampoo. Massage into
scalp and hair, leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat 3 – 4 times
daily, until eggs are gone.
Hives: Add 10 drops of oil to 4 tbsp of witch hazel. Apply with
cotton ball. Or, mix with coconut oil (which is naturally healing and
soothing itself) and gently apply to the infected areas.
Homemade Mouthwash: Make a simple homemade mouthwash with purified water and tea tree oil.
Household Cleaning: Can be used aromatically or added to
homemade cleaners
to kill germs and prevent the spread of colds and flus. You can make a
general tea tree cleaner by combining 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 2
cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend and use for household
cleaning tasks. This is especially good in the bathroom and in toilets.
Immune System: To stimulate the immune system, diffuse through
the air on a regular basis, massage into the soles of the feet to
increase your immune response.
Infected Wounds: Adding the oil to steaming water, hold the
infected area over the steam. Or dilute 1 drop of tea tree with 1 cup of
water and rinse the infected area 1-2 times a day, as needed.
Inflammation: Massage over the inflamed areas, gently and always
toward the heart, or diffuse and inhale the tea tree oil directly or
indirectly.
Ingrown Hairs: Add 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to area. Repeat every 2 hours or until signs of infection disappear.
Insect Repellant: Add 15 drops to a quart of water and use as an effective insect repellent.
Jock Itch: Apply 10 – 15 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of carrier oil. Apply 2 times daily. Dust with corn starch, to reduce chapping.
Laryngitis: Add 5 – 10 drops of oil and pinch of sea salt to 1 cup of warm water, gargle 2-3 times a day. Do not swallow!
Laundry Helper: Add 1/2 teaspoon tea tree oil to your laundry for towels and other fabric prone to getting moldy.
Mildew and Mold Remover: Spray an all-purpose cleaner made with 2
teaspoons of tea tree oil and 2 cups of water on growing mold and
mildew. Shake well before using and do not rinse.
Mosquito Bites: Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.
Muscle Aches and Pains: Add 10-15 drops of oil to half cup
Epsom salts, and dissolve in bath. Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of carrier oil. Massage well.
Mumps: Massage over the body and into the feet, and diffuse through the home.
Nail Fungus: Add 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to nail and the
surrounding tissue. Allow to dry completely on hands before touching
anything. Repeat morning and night for a week.
Pest Control: Household ants and other pests dislike Tea Tree
Oil, so a few drops put at the point of entry will deter them. Wipe
cupboards out with an oil and water solution to keep ants away.
Plantar Warts: Apply oil undiluted to affected area 2-3 times daily.
Psoriasis: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp carrier oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. Also can be applied undiluted.
Rashes: Mix with
coconut oil and massage over the affected areas.
Rheumatism: To help reduce pain associated with rheumatism, add
20 drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of carrier oil. Massage into
affected are 2-3 times a day.
Ringworm: Apply a drop or two of oil undiluted, repeat 2 times daily. Can also mix 1 drop of tea tree oil with 1 drop of
lavender oil for added benefit.
Rubella: Dilute as needed and massage into the affected areas.
Scabies: Apply 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to area in the morning and at night.
Sciatica: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp carrier oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. Also can be applied undiluted.
Seborrhea: For skin: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp of carrier oil
and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. For scalp: Add
10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp shampoo. Massage into scalp and hair, leave on
for 10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat 3 – 4 times daily. Bath: Add 10-15 drops
of oil to bath.
Shingles: Add 10-15 drops of oil to half cup Epsom salts, and dissolve in bath. Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of
grapeseed oil or coconut oil and massage well.
Shock: Massage tea tree oil into the soles of the feet as needed.
Sinusitis: Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a
vaporizer, add 10 drops to steamer and leave on 5 – 10 minutes. Also add
2 drops to a
neti pot.
Sore muscles: Fill your bathtub with warm water. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water to relax tight muscles.
Sore Throat: Add 2 drops of oil to 1 cup of warm water with pinch of
sea salt, gargle 2-3 times a day. Do not swallow!
Staph Infection: Best used topically, rubbed into the soles of the feet to increase the immune response and fight infection.
Stye: Add 5 drops oil to a pan of steaming water. Drape towel overhead and steam 5 minutes. Apply warm compresses directly to stye.
Sunburn: Mix 1 TB coconut oil with 1 drop of tea tree and 1 drop of lavender and gently apply to to sunburned areas.
Tattoos: Apply after tattoos to avoid infection. Use undiluted, diluted with coconut oil or as a spray with purified water.
Thrush: Gargle with sea salt, warm water and 1 drop of tea tree.
Ticks: Apply a drop or two directly to the tick and the surrounding area.
Toenail fungus: Rub the tea tree oil directly onto the affected
toenail and underneath the tip of the nail. Apply 1 to 2 drops of tea
tree oil. Apply the oil once a day, preferably at bedtime.
Toothbrush Cleaner: Apply oil directly to toothbrush 1-2 times a week to kill bacteria.
Tonsillitis: Inhale from steaming water with tea tree, gargle, and massage into neck and soles of feet.
Vaginal Infection: Add several drops to the bath water.
Viral Infections: Diffuse tea tree oil throughout the home or inhale from steaming water.
Warts: Apply undiluted directly to wart. Use morning and night,
until wart begins to disappear. Dilute if necessary for sensitive skin.
Wounds: Soak wounded area in water with tea tree oil, or spritz
from a bottle of water with several drops of oil. Depending on the wound
and your own sensitivity you may be able to apply directly.
A NOTE ABOUT CARRIER OILS
In order to effectively use essential oils – not just tea tree oil – it
is often necessary to dilute the essential oil in another oil so that it
can be easily spread or massaged on the affected area. These oils are
called “carrier” oils. Common carrier oils include coconut oil,
grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil and others.
Fractionated coconut oil [remains liquid] and
grapeseed oil
are favorites because they are odorless and in the case of fractionated
coconut oil, immune to rancidity. In practical use, any oil can be
used if you do not have one of these more therapeutic oils on hand.
The properties of the various carrier oils is beyond the scope of this
article but my favorite? Easy. Fractionated coconut oil. Is is
relatively inexpensive, odorless and has a long shelf life making it
perfect for the survival kit.
THE FINAL WORD
My first experience with tea tree oil occurred in the '80s when I was
faced with a nail fungus that would not go away. The pharmaceutical
solutions at the time (and for all I know, even now) were harsh and
required frequent monitoring of liver enzymes. For a simple, non-life
threatening nail fungus, I chose to pass. After using a topical
application of tea tree oil for three months, the fungus was all but
gone.
I then became interested in aromatherapy (which uses essential oils). I
read every book I could get my hands on and dabbled at creating
synergies (a combination of two or more oils that create a chemical
compound that is greater than the sum of its individual components).
My bible then, and even now, is
The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood.
Since then I have used essential oils off and on for a variety of woes
and have never been disappointed. My recommendation is that you pick up a
few essential oils – and especially some tea tree oil – and start to
use them now to supplement any other remedies that you are using to keep
your family and your home in tip top shape.
Read other articles by Gaye Levy here.
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye started Backdoor Survival to share her angst and
concern about our deteriorating economy and its impact on ordinary,
middle-class folks. She also wanted to become a prepper of the highest
order and to share her knowledge as she learned it along the way. She
considers her sharing of knowledge her way of giving back and as always,
we at Activist Post are grateful for her contributions.
If you would like to read more from Gaye Levy, check out her blog at http://www.backdoorsurvival.com/. You can also visit her Facebook page or sign up for updates by email by clicking on Backdoor Survival Updates.
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