Tea tree oil has many uses. It is antibacterial and antifungal, making it good for cleaning your home as well as cleansing your body. Many people use it to kill mold in their homes, dress shallow wounds and as a hair rinse to condition the scalp. Others gargle with a few drops in water to eliminate throat infections.
Another use is to apply drops inside the nose to rid themselves of sinus infections. Using tea tree oil inside your nasal cavities can be tricky, though. It's very potent and should always be diluted with water or a cutting oil before you apply it, especially if you have sensitive skin. Cutting oils are very mild oils that have no scent. Examples include grape seed oil, avocado oil and sweet almond oil.
You'll want to dilute your tea tree oil with one of the cutting oils listed above. For the sinuses, something moisturizing like avocado or sweet almond oil would be best. Keeping the skin moist inside the nostrils prevents cracking and bleeding caused by dryness. Use about three drops of tea tree oil per one ounce of cutting oil. Place in a small bowl and stir with a spoon.
Pour the mixture into a small glass bottle once it's combinec. Amber glass is best because it diffuses light that may rob the oils of their efficacy. Cap and shake the mixture gently and store it in a dark, cool place when not in use.
You can apply the tea tree oil mixture in one of two ways. Tilt your head back and, using an eye dropper, drip a few drops of oil into your nostrils. Or you can dip a cotton swab into the oil mixture and rub it on the inside of your nostrils. Tea tree oil has a very pungent smell, so be ready for it to override all other smells for a while.
Apply tea tree oil drops to your nostrils no more than twice a day. You can adjust the dilution ratio for your own sensitivity if you find it too strong.