Let’s talk about melaleuca essential oil. There are many people who call it tea tree oil so whichever term you use. They are the same thing. Melaleuca does not smell the greatest. In fact, it kind of smells bad, unlike peppermint oil, which smells good. But there are so many uses for melaleuca essential oil that you get past the smell.
1. Pink Eye
Pink eye is one of the things that I hated my kids getting. Because it was an infection in their eye, so they couldn’t go to school or daycare. But they didn’t really feel bad so they kept asking me why they had to stay home. And they would just get bored. Plus, I would have to figure out who would stay with them while I worked when they weren’t really sick.
I wish that I had melaleuca when the boys were younger. All you you to help with pink eye is put diluted melaleuca and lavender around the eye (please never put essential oils in your eye) every hour. It will probably be all cleared up within 24 hours at the most. No going to the doctor. No eye drops going in the eye (in case you don’t know, kids hate eye drops).
2. Lice
Lice is such a thing in elementary school and I am just really grossed out by it. But it is one of the best uses for melaleuca essential oil. There are a couple ways you can use it. First, make sure it is a high quality, pure melaleuca essential oil or it might not get rid of the lice. If your kiddo already has lice, put the melaleuca directly in the hair and comb it through. Make sure you get it on the scalp and at the hairline. Keep it on for about 10 minutes and then you can wash it out and comb through the hair.
If you are just preventing your kiddo from getting lice, put a couple drops of melaleuca in their shampoo. This will hopefully prevent the crawlies from getting on your kiddos.
3. Nail Fungus
There are so many people that come to the pharmacy to get an oral medication for toenail fungus. This is because all the creams and such can’t get under the nail to the fungus. But melaleuca essential oil can get under there, and it will clear it right up. Just put it directly on the nail a couple times a day. And no more fungus. Plus, no side effects. I can’t really say that about the oral medication.
4. Canker Sores
My son and I both have an awful time with canker sores. But we get them cleared up right away with melaleuca. And it is one of the best uses for melaleuca essential oil. You just apply one drop to the canker sore a few times a day. I use a q-tip to apply it. And the canker sore will be gone in a couple days at most. Make sure you are using pure, quality oil because this will be going in your mouth. It doesn’t taste the best, but I don’t really care as long as it clears up my canker sore.
5. Ear Infections
This is my most favorite uses for melaleuca essential oil. Clearing up an ear infection in 24 hours without any oral medication. Put just two drops each of melaleuca, lavender and basil on a cotton ball. And then rub around the ear and behind the ear. Never put essential oils in the ear. Do this every couple hours on your kiddo. And in 24 hours, no more ear infection. Pretty darn cool.
I love all these uses of melaleuca and I know there are a ton more. Right now, these are the 5 best ones, especially if you have kiddos.
Vanessa is a Doctor of Pharmacy who champions natural health. She lives with her husband of 18 years as well as her 12 & 15 year old sons. She aspires to encourage moms on their journey to family wellness through holistic health and essential oils.
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