Because I swear, my wife (1/2 Italian) feels tea tree oil will fix any and every ailment on me and the dogs!

Got a scratch on your arm - tea tree oil.
Dog(s) have a "hot spot" which they keep licking or scratching - tea tree oil.
Need your (or your dogs') ears cleaned - tea tree oil.

Just like the Greek version of Windex.

Tea tree oil has a lot of devoted followers, who do seem to regard it as some kind of herbal panacea. It may be, but I've tried it and never noticed anything special. However, that could be partly due to the fact that the strong aromatic smell keeps me from using it for a reasonable amount of time.

TTO: the Eezox of therapeutic oils.

WTF is Greek Windex?

FWIW I've read Brit soldiers in WW11 were issued tea tree oil as part of their kit.

quote:

Originally posted by downtownv:
WTF is Greek Windex?

“Anything from psoriasis to poison ivy can be cured with Windex”

According to the motion picture “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”.

I think Tea Tree oil is better, myself.

Tea Tree oil works pretty good on black mold.

I think it does work. I’ve put it on cuts and scrapes that seem to heal up much quicker than without it.

It was a fad in the early 90s, sold MLM-style under the “Melaluca” brand name. Everything from laundry detergent to cleaning formulas to shampoo and even toothpaste. My mother inflicted this stuff on us. Got so used to the smell, I could identify it from a half mile away. It wasn’t truly awful, but I’m not sure I ever witnessed the miracle properties.

We’re neither Italian, nor Greek.

-Rob

Tea Tree Oil absolutely has many uses and is good stuff. I don’t think it is snake oil and will fix anything, but it does have a lot of uses mostly skin related. I mostly use it for skin blemishes, minor cuts, or abrasions. It seems to help things heal better than anything else I have ever used. It also supposedly has antibiotic properties.

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
It was a fad in the early 90s, sold MLM-style under the “Melaluca” brand name. Everything from laundry detergent to cleaning formulas to shampoo and even toothpaste. My mother inflicted this stuff on us. Got so used to the smell, I could identify it from a half mile away. It wasn’t truly awful, but I’m not sure I ever witnessed the miracle properties.

We’re neither Italian, nor Greek.

-Rob

I’ve had good luck using it to recover fish tanks that got diseased. Added some to witch hazel recently and used it as an aftershave and have had almost no irritation or problems where I used to have many. I don’t tend to go into things as a true believer, but results get my attention. I wouldn’t call it miraculous at this stage of my experience, but it does seem to have some antibiotic, antifungal properties to it. It definitely wasn’t placebo effect on my behalf that healed up the fish with red gills and fin rot, so there’s that.

Got bit by sand fleas in Mexico, tea tree oil really helped with the itching. Use it on mosquito bites too.

Hmmm, maybe I'll let her use it on more than just the dogs.

Only thing I have used it for is a body wash. I’m a big fan of it as an ingredient in body wash in Houston’s hot, humid summers.

I use shampoo and conditioner with tea tree oil. If I don’t my head gets snowy with dandruff. It keeps that in check.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Hmmm, maybe I'll let her use it on more than just the dogs.

I mean, I wouldn't say it's a panacea, but it seems to have some benefits.

I've tested a lot of these substances. Tea tree oil is on the weak side (I didn't say useless). It does smell nice, though.

Want something that really does something? Try a solution of two parts distilled white vinegar to one part hydrogen peroxide (the ratio doesn't have to be exact). It kills just about anything but stubborn things can take some time.

Try soaking your feet in it. Some people's skin may be sensitive, so start with one minute a day an work your way up - *if* your skin is sensitive to it.

It can dry your skin, particularly your hands.

V.