One of my favorite home remedies is Tea Tree Oil, or melaleuca oil, a plant native to Australia which can be purchased from most health food stores ($6 to $10) and even some grocery stores and is a must for every household!

Tea Tree Oil has many wonderful uses and it is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal! It also has an anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, analgesic (pain relieving) quality.

For starters I would suggest one try Tea Tree Oil diluted with water (4-5 drops to an ounce of water) to ensure it doesn't bother the skin and no irritation results which is not common.

Tea Tree Oil is great for athlete's foot or nail fungus problems. A warm foot bath with 20-30 drops of Tea Tree Oil can be most beneficial (and you can add other enjoyable scents like jasmine, rose or lavender). Some other methods include filling a spray bottle with water and adding the tea tree oil to mist feet.

Tea Tree Oil is a magic potion for acne or boils! As soon as acne/boil is detected a dab of this oil (full strength) and the next day the acne will be almost gone! One can cleanse face with a very warm to hot wash cloth of water and a few drops of tea tree oil for 3-5 minutes twice a day for a smooth and clear complexion. Of course controlling acne one should watch their diet, limit sugar intake, and keep hydrated with plenty of water. Avoiding potatoe chips, french fries, candy, soda pop and fast food is suggested with the focus on natural whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables.

Tea Tree Oil is also great for cold sores because of the anti-viral properties of the oil. Dab with TeaTree Oil two or three times daily to rid these cold sores.

Tea Tree Oil should also be kept in the first aid kit. It is good for bug bites, stings, and cuts and keeps the injury from getting infected.

Tea Tree Oil is cooling and therefore great for burns, the anti-bacterial property helps keep wounds from infection.

For all those with yoga mats, tea tree oil can be used to mist your mat to keep it clean! Fill a spray bottle with water, add 30-40 drops of Tea Tree Oil and then add your favorite essential oil scents (suggestions: lavender, jasmine, white clary sage) to freshen and keep mat anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral!

Tea Tree Oil is wonderful for treating early gum disease problems. After brushing and flossing teeth, one can massage gums with fingertip in a circular motion with diluted Tea Tree Oil, but should not ingest, spit remainder out and rinse mouth.

I like to make my own anti-bacterial/viral/fungal hand spray for my kids with Tea Tree Oil to keep in the car. When picking up my children they enjoy misting their hands with the spray bottle and it is a wonderful car deodorizer! Fill small mist bottle with water and add 20-30 drops of Tea Tree Oil, also you can add other essential oils for different smells. Try adding white clary sage to the Tea Tree Oil or lavender which is also anti-bacterial and relaxing!

For The YOGA Workshop offerings of yoga classes, the dates, times, and locations are posted on our website at: www.TheYogaWorkshop.info