Tea tree oil has been long known for its several benefits especially to our skins, nails, and hair. In addition, one more benefit of using tea tree oil that people hardly know or have never heard of is to treat oral thrush or yeast infection. For that reason, this article below will discuss some ways on how to use tea tree oil for oral thrush treatment as well as some benefits and side effects of this natural oil.
What Is Tea Tree Oil?
Before discussing further the effective results that tea tree oil can bring to our physical health, we should understand a little bit about the origin of tea tree oil, where it comes from and how it works.
Simply speaking, tea tree oil is taken from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, the tree which originates from Australia. Even though Melaleuca alternifolia is a tea tree, it shouldn’t be mistaken as the plant that produces black, green and oolong tea.
As for its uses, tea tree oil has been mostly used by the native Australians to treat some medical diseases such as coughs, colds and skin infection. Containing many compounds that can help to kill bacteria and viruses, this natural oil has been trusted to use for several purposes, whether to treat acne or to promote the healing process.
So that’s the introduction of the magical oil from Australia. Now, from WikiYeah.com we introduce details about oral thrush and how to use tea tree oil for oral thrush. Take a look!
What Is Oral Thrush?
Firstly, let’s have a look at what oral thrush is and how it affects our lives negatively.
Oral thrush is basically a yeast infection inside our mouth or worse, in throat happening when the considerable number of candida fungus grows so fast that the good bacteria cannot stop or inhibit the development of them. There are so many reasons behind it. A person can be vulnerable to this disease if his immune system is not strong enough to protect the whole body from the infiltration of the bacteria. Another reason is because of the bad oral hygiene and lack of vitamins and nutrition.
How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Oral Thrush Relief
In order to treat oral thrush, tea tree oil can be applied in so many ways, whether to use it as a mouthwash or to mix it with some other ingredients to maximize the benefits of it.
1. Tea Tree Oil For Oral Thrush As A Mouthwash
Mouthwashes are one of the most important steps in order to keep our mouth clean, and it’s even more important to choose an effective product rather than to choose something that only helps you to smell fresh. Tea tree oil is undoubtedly a smart choice for mouth washing. This essential oil is known for its antifungal function, killing bacteria and virus if applied correctly and scientifically.
Just simply add 5 drops of tea tree oil with 2 tablespoons of water and mix it gently together. After that, rinse around your mouth and spit the mixture out when finishing.
If you wish to treat the yeast infection in your throat, you can also use the same recipe above as a gargle. And remember, you need to be patient and practice this 3 times per day to maximize its benefits.
While using tea tree oil, keep in mind that you cannot swallow it because it can lead to some unwanted side effects to your body.
Using tea tree oil as a mouthwash will be sure to help you get rid of the annoying yeast infection in your mouth and throat very quickly.
2. Tea Tree Oil And Coconut Oil For Oral Thrush
If you find the mouth washing way above unsuitable, there is another way for you to use tea tree oil as a treatment. It’s to mix it with coconut oil.
Like tea tree oil, coconut oil has been favorably used for so many years by the beauty community. Coconut oil is great natural oil for those who wish to have a smooth hair or long charming eyelashes.
However, one more benefit that the coconut oil can bring to our life is to kill the fungus that leads to yeast infection. Coconut oil possesses antifungal properties inside it, which is like the oil from tea tree, can help to kill bacteria and then treat oral thrush.
The recipe is very simple and easy to follow. Just melt 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and mix it with 3 drops of tea tree oil until you have a fine solution. After that, swish the final solution in your mouth for several minutes and then spit it out. Remember to practice this at least 3 times per day to have the highest result.
[Don’t skip: 14 Tips on How to Get Rid of White Tongue Coating At Home Fast]
3. Tea Tree Oil For Oral Thrush As A Toothpaste
Another effective way on how to use tea tree oil for oral thrush is to add 1 drop of it over your toothpaste. Then, brush the teeth with this mixture twice per day. Warrant that you swish the mixture around the mouth after each times of brushing. Thrush will be instantly improved if you use this combination.
10 Other Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil
- Acne
With its antifungal ingredients, tea tree oil is trusted to use on the face to deal with acne. An effective way of using it is to dab a small cotton swab into tea tree oil and gently apply it to the affected areas. Repeat it daily until you get a desirable result.
- Boils
Besides treating acne, tea tree oil has also been known for treating boils. It is proved to help speeding up the healing process as well as relieving discomfort. Just dip a small cotton swab into this oil and then gently apply it to the boils. However, be careful when applying it to the affected areas, you shouldn’t let it touch any other healthy parts of your skin. Repeat it 3 to 5 times a day.
- Hair Care
Tea tree oil is very beneficial for the health of your scalp and hair. Similar to coconut oil, tea tree oil can soothe dry flaking skin, eliminate dandruff, and could be used to remove head lice. In order to take care of your hair using tea tree oil, make homemade tea tree oil shampoo by mixing a few drops of tea tree oil with coconut milk, aloe vera and other essential oils such as lavender oil.
- Cleaning
You can use tea tree oil as a cleaner for your house. It has powerful antimicrobial properties, so it could kill off harmful bacteria within your household.
Mix tea tree oil with lemon essential oil, vinegar and water to have a mixture. Then, use that mixture on your kitchen appliances, toilet, sinks, and counter tops.
- Eczema And Psoriasis
The ability of tea tree oil is powerful, especially when it comes to deal with skin inflammation like psoriasis and eczema.
Mix 1 teaspoon of coconut oil with about 5 drops each of lavender oil and tea tree oil. Use this mixture as a body soap or lotion.
- Ringworm And Toenail Fungus
Due to the ability of killing fungal infections and parasites, tea tree oil can help with your toenail fungus, ringworm and athlete’s foot. Apply undiluted tea tree oil onto your affected area using a cotton swab.
Or, you can mix it with oregano oil for better effects. To remove warts, apply tea tree oil onto your problematic areas twice per day for about one month to get noticeable results.
- Mold
The next benefit of tea tree oil is its ability of killing mold. Homes with mold infestation are common, but many people are not aware of it. To solve this problem, buy a diffuser, then diffuse tea tree oil in the air in your house to kill bad bacteria and mold. Alternatively, you can add it to a sprayer and spray onto your laundry machine, shower curtains, toilet or dishwasher for the same purpose.
- Deodorant
The next use of tea tree oil is body odor removal. This oil with antimicrobial properties can damage bacteria on skin which cause body odor. Make tea tree oil deodorant right at your home by mixing it with baking soda and coconut oil.
Adding tea tree oil to your shoes as well as sports gear also helps to keep them fresh.
- Oral Health
Due to having the ability of killing harmful bacteria while still soothing inflamed skin, tea tree oil is perfect when it comes to caring for oral health. It is used as a mouthwash or toothpaste and helps to decrease gum bleeding and tooth decay as well.
Mix coconut oil, baking soda and tea tree oil together to create your homemade toothpaste.
- Cuts And Infections
If you mix tea tree oil with lavender oil, you will have a natural homemade wound healing ointment. Apply tea tree oil on your clean cuts and use a bandage to cover it. This will fight off infections and heal the cuts fast. Even, tea tree oil is proven to help with staph infections and MRSA.
[Read more: 26 Lavender Oil Uses and Benefits for Skin, Hair, Sleep & Health]
Side Effects Of Tea Tree Oil
This oil has so many uses in our life, but be cautious when using it and read the instruction carefully because tea tree oil can do harm to your body if it is used internally. More attention and care should be taken while using this oil near eyes, genitals and especially as a mouthwash. Tea tree oil can cause many serious symptoms such as diarrhea, confusion, vomiting and even lead to a coma if using internally. If you are suffering from one of these symptoms above or any other abnormal body reactions, stop using the product and see a doctor as soon as possible.