Health & Beauty

Acne Eradicator: Put a dab of tea tree oil on acne blemishes. The plant’s antibacterial extracts disinfect skin and speed healing.

Cut Soother: Dabbed on minor cuts, tea tree oil can help prevent infection.

Hair Revitalizer: Add a few drops of tea tree oil and a tablespoon of olive oil to your favorite shampoo. Olive oil brings back shine and bounce, and the tree oil soothes the scalp, says Lisa Grealish, colorist at the Patrick McIvor Color Studio in Bethlehem, Penn. The combo will leave your hair looking and feeling clean and silky.

Bathroom & Kitchen

Germ Destroyer: Instead of bleach, make your own bathroom disinfectant by mixing 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil.

Mold and Mildew Remover: Green guru Annie Bond swears by tea tree oil for a go-to mold and mildew combatant. Add 1 teaspoon of the oil to a cup of water and mix it in a spray bottle. Spray the moldy area and let it sit for a couple of days. Once the strong scent dissipates (it will!), the mold’s musty smell will be gone for good.