Tea tree oil (TTO), also known as melaleuca oil, is a popular essential oil that has the longest history of medicinal uses. Its known antimicrobial and antifungal properties may be helpful in treating yeast infections at home.

In fact, tea tree oil has shown to be promising in fighting the funguses that cause yeast infections, including Candida albicans, the strain that accounts for 85% to 90% of cases of vaginal yeast infections. It’s important to note that this has not been replicated or proven in human studies.

Before trying any home remedies to treat a yeast infection, talk to your healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis and ask which method of treatment is most appropriate. 

Research suggests that tea tree oil may be most effective at fighting fungal infections when used in combination with antifungal drugs like fluconazole.

Tea Tree Oil for Candida 

Candida lives on the skin, particularly in moist areas, such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina. It does not typically cause problems, but when it overgrows, it can lead to an itchy and irritating infection in the affected area.

The plant compounds within tea tree oil (mainly terpinen-4-ol) have shown promising activity against drug-resistant strains of candida. However, this is an in vivo finding only; tea tree oil’s efficacy has not been studied in humans with vaginal candidiasis.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Yeast Infections 

Tea tree oil for yeast infection is administered through a vaginal suppository (a dissolvable capsule or pill). You can purchase premade tea tree oil suppositories at a drugstore, natural health food and supplement store, or online.

Never try to make your own suppository. Also, essential oils can be irritating to the skin if not properly diluted and can be dangerous when not used appropriately.

Follow the instructions that come with your tea tree oil suppository. While these are commonly sold in a six-pack for six days of treatment (one suppository per day), different brands may have different dosing guidelines, so it’s best to read the pamphlet and any warnings that come with the package.  

How to Choose a Tea Tree Oil

Ask your healthcare provider if they have a recommendation for a tea tree oil that has worked for other patients. Make sure you’re purchasing a 100% pure tea tree oil (natural) and not a fragrance oil (synthetic). You can check the tea tree oil bottle label for the word “fragrance” to distinguish between the two.

Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands before inserting the suppository. You can also use a clean over-the-counter yeast infection medication applicator. 

Other Uses for Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has many other uses beyond treating yeast infections. It is a common ingredient in many skin care, personal hygiene, and household cleaning products. 

The Food and Administration (FDA) does not test or control the ingredients, strength, or packaging of essential oils. They do, however, warn consumers that even though something is from a plant, it doesn’t mean it is not toxic. Essential oils are not risk free. Lack of regulation also means there is no standard for how to safely use essential oils.

Antiseptic Uses

Antiseptic products can help prevent or slow the growth of organisms that can cause infections, such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Researchers say tea tree oil’s antibacterial activity has gained considerable interest in the scientific community. But its potent and easily absorbed antiseptic properties make tea tree oil dangerous too, especially if you forget to dilute your essential oil before use.

Anti-Inflammatory Uses

Tea tree oil has been used on its own and as a blending ingredient for almost 100 years, largely for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. One study suggests tea tree oil may be even more effective than zinc oxide and clobetasone butyrate at treating skin conditions characterized by inflammation such as eczema.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil Safely

Common safety guidelines may include:

The effects of tea tree oil have been clinically compared with those of benzoyl peroxide, and they were both found to be significantly successful in reducing inflammation associated with skin blemishes.

Antifungal Uses

Tea tree oil has been widely used as an at-home remedy in treating athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and contagious fungal nail infections. However, more human trials are still needed to confirm the effectiveness of tea tree oil for treating athlete’s foot. 

When to Call a Healthcare Provider

You should call your healthcare provider before attempting to treat a yeast infection at home with tea tree oil. Your healthcare provider can confirm the diagnosis and offer advice on treatment.

Tea tree oil is a known toxic substance and should never be swallowed. If you or someone you know has ingested tea tree oil, contact your local poison control center or call 911 immediately.

 Call your healthcare provider if:

  • Your yeast infection symptoms worsen.
  • You experience additional symptoms, such as discomfort in the area or additional irritation.
  • You have an allergic reaction to tea tree oil.
  • Your yeast infection does not resolve within the standard treatment time (typically one week).
  • You have questions related to the safety of engaging in sexual intercourse or other activity while treating your yeast infection with tea tree oil.

A Word From Verywell

Yeast infections are a part of life for many people and are nothing to be embarrassed about. Before attempting to treat your vaginal yeast infection at home with tea tree oil, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. They can confirm the diagnosis and discuss the best course of treatment, as well as how to safely use tea tree oil at home.

Remember that everybody is unique, and sometimes what works for one person will not be as effective for another. Also, keep in mind that while tea tree oil is a popular herbal remedy with known antifungal properties, it has not been clinically proven to treat vaginal yeast infections.

If your symptoms worsen or you have any adverse reaction to tea tree oil, contact your healthcare provider right away. If your yeast infection does not clear up with the use of tea tree oil suppositories, you will want to contact your healthcare provider and ask about next steps in treatment.