Inhaled, tea tree oil is said to make breathing easier by “breaking up congestion”. It can alleviate a sore throat and minimize the symptoms of cold, flu and systemic fungal infections. It seems effective against candidiasis and other vaginal infections and for hemorrhoids. As a bath additive it may control bacteria in spas and pools.

For fungal nail infections, application is twice daily and relief or cure is typically seen in 3–4 months in contrast with the currently accepted medicine which requires costly prescriptions and is taken internally daily for up to a year. Tea tree oil also is used for athlete’s foot, foul body odour, burning feet, etc. Massaging diluted tea tree oil into the affected area may alleviate the discomfort of sore muscles or joint injuries. It also reduces hypertrophic scarring. Tea tree oil has been found to kill Propionibacterium acnes; a main cause of acne vulgaris both in vitro and in vivo.

Tea tree oil has thus been clinically tested for efficacy compared with benzoyl peroxide to prevent acne; and although it seemed somewhat less effective, it nevertherless had lower rates of irritation. Tea tree oil is extremely effective in healing blemishes caused by acne or herpes simplex virus.