Tea Tree Oil for Yeast Infection

Yeast infection is caused by a fungus named candida albicans. This infection is also referred to as candidiasis. Even though women are more prone to this infection, men can also get affected by it. This fungi thrives well in those areas which are warm and dark. Like genital area, underarms, under the breasts, various skin folds, areas between the toes, nail beds, inside the mouth and so on. It has some annoying symptoms like severe itching and burning sensation of the skin and skin rash. The best part of using tea tree oil for yeast infection treatment is that it can be safely used on any sensitive parts of the body.

What is Tea Tree Oil?

Basically, tea tree oil is an essential oil that can be identified with its light yellow color and a fragrance quite similar to that of nutmeg. It is obtained from Melaleuca alternifolia plant which is a native to Australia. The leaves of this plant are subjected to steam distillation in order to extract the oil. The healing properties of tea tree oil is well-known to the aborigines of Australia for thousands of years. Now, scientific evidence suggests that the antiseptic qualities of tea tree oil is due to the presence of a component named terpenoids. It enables the essential oil to fight off skin infections caused by all types of microbes: fungus, bacteria or virus. In fact, it can heal up many such infections that cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Tea Tree Oil Yeast Infection Treatment

Tea tree oil is used topically or externally for fighting yeast infection. When you apply the oil on the infected part, it attacks the cell membrane first. This helps the antifungal agents to reach out to the yeast present in the skin cells and destroy them. Before you use tea tree oil, let me tell you one thing that you should not use it in undiluted form. When the oil's pure form is applied, it can cause skin irritation and reddening of the skin. There are many different ways of using tea tree oil as yeast infection remedy. They are as follows:

Method #1
To cure yeast infection that has affected vaginal area, prepare a solution by mixing equal quantities of tea tree oil and isopropyl alcohol. Put 8-10 drops of this milky white colored solution in a pint of water and use it to wash the infected area. This should be done on a daily basis for a week to obtain best results.

Method #2
Another excellent technique of using tea tree oil for yeast infection in the vaginal area is with the help of a tampon. Here, the tampon is first coated with K-Y jelly so that it acts as a lubricant and prevents the oil from getting absorbed by the tampon. Moreover, the K-Y jelly will dilute the oil. Then pour a few drops of oil on the tampon and insert it into the infected area and keep it there for an hour.

Method #3
When you want to use tea tree oil on yeast rash like diaper rash in infants, then dilute it with another base oil. Olive oil is most preferred base oil for this purpose. Take one part of tea tree oil and mix it up with 3 parts of olive oil. Apply this mixture of oils for a soothing relief from candidiasis symptoms.

Method #4
When you have oral yeast infection and tea tree oil need to be used as mouth wash, then dilute it with plain water. Add a few drops of oil in a glass of water and gargle your mouth thoroughly with it every day for faster cure of oral thrush. Make sure that you do not swallow up the solution.

Application of tea tree oil on the skin does not have any adverse side effects. However, pregnant women and lactating mothers should avoid tea tree oil. Finally, I would like to say that do not take the oil orally for the purpose of treating yeast infection.