Tea Tree Essential Oil

how to use essential oils for everyday life. And by everyday life,  

I mean if you have kids... especially school-aged kids. cue the lice. 

I'll add that we have not had lice in our house yet and that's three kids 7 and under!

gimme all the tea tree.

Let's take a look at Tea Tree essential oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia)

This essential oil is rich in what are called monoterpenes, chemical compounds with various beneficial characteristics including, in the case of tea tree oil, insecticidal properties. 

 

One 2012 study examined the efficacy of two natural substances: tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil and nerolidol (3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol) against lice and and nits (eggs).  At a 1% concentration, tea tree oil was found to kill 100% of head lice within 30 minutes of application. Twice that concentration (2%) of tea tree oil resulted in the failure of 50% of the eggs to hatch after 4 days

How to use for active/preventative management of lice 

First and foremost, be sure to purchase a fine-toothed lice comb to comb through the infested hair daily. Soak the comb in a glass with water, witch hazel and tea tree oil. Next, use one or more of the following methods for treatment and/or prevention:

* Add 2-3 drops of Tea Tree essential oil to a dallop of shampoo in palm of hand, mix together and then lather on hair, working thoroughly into hair and scalp. 

Let sit for at least 10 minutes.

 

 * Rinse and then comb through hair with fine comb. Be sure to isolate all towels and clothing, wash on a hot/sanitize cycle (can add tea tree oil to your laundry detergent) and put in dryer, can also add tea tree essential oil to wool dryer balls for some added benefits! 

* Use tea tree oil in a travel spray bottle (glass preferably) to spray on hair and scalp prior to and following exposure to lice. In a 2oz (60ml) spray bottle add 12-15 drops of tea tree essential oil, a pinch of epsom salt or witch hazel and fill with water

* Apply tea tree oil to the scalp just prior to bedtime with the above solution and leave it in overnight. In the morning comb out dead lice and nits.

 * For additional treatments or prevention Add 5-20 drops of pure tea tree essential oil to regular shampoo. Shampoo daily

*Use care if applying tea tree oil or any essential oil directly on the skin as it can cause irritation depending on your level of sensitivity. Applying it along with a carrier oil such as olive oil, sweet almond oil or coconut oil will alleviate this concern. 

*Also don't forget to wash items like stuffed toys, car seat covers or headrest and any other fabric item that your child has come into contact with!

 If you are interested in learning more or on how to buy tea tree please visit my website www.nestedbirth.com or email me at info@nestedbirth.com

References:

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12389342/
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2724133/#b23-pch09647
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3480584/
• http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/Permtech.pdf
• https://www.naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/about-aromatherapy/what-are-essential-oils