A little tip for y'all

[Coco]

So, my grandfather travels A LOT. He's been to every country in the world (so he says!) often by aeroplane or by boat.

You may wonder then, does he catch a lot of sickness things when he goes on these travels? Because I would be worried like hell if I were so close to so many people on a plane or boat! But, he never ever gets sick. He swears by two things:

1 - never suck your fingers or clothes

2 - PUT A DROP OF TEA TREE OIL on your upper lip - it is a disinfectant and every time you breath in, it kills airborne germs! I don't know if there has been any scientific proof, but my grandfather has only v*d twice in his life (before the age of 10) and he is certain tea tree oil does the trick!

Worth a try, eh?

Ooh, but be careful, if you have sensitive skin I think it can be a but of an irritant. But it's EXCELLENT for acne!

[turbokinetic]

Good points!

When I was in Africa, my room mate (he was from some asian country) sprayed the bathroom with tea tree oil before he showered. It smells nice, and he said it keeps any infections from spreading.

David

[sage]

It kills head lice too.

[Andrilla]

So, is there anything that tea tree oil can't do? *makes plans to stop by organic food type place on her way to school*

[ann32]

yup i will be at the healthfood store in the am...will be putting that in the kiddies mouths for school hahahaha

[asianeko]

Tea tree oil is awesome! I love the stuff.

The only think I hate is that it is deadly to fish with labyrinth organs (Cichlids, Bettas, etc) so I try not to use it so I don't hurt my little buddy.

[Rebecca85]

Oh, I didn't know that! Will have to remember not to use tea tree on my hands before doing anything with my tank!

[asianeko]

Oh, I didn't know that! Will have to remember not to use tea tree on my hands before doing anything with my tank!

If they aren't labyrinth fish (ones who can breathe air from the surface) it shouldn't hurt them. Tea Tree oil is actually used in Mela-Fix, a common medication for fishies. It just has adverse effects on bettas and the like.

[ButterfliesInHerEyes]

Doesn't the oil actually have to come in contact with the germs to kill them? How does breathing it in do that? I don't understand.

[cherylcupcake]

I was going to say they use it for piercing too but I'm confusing it with emu oil hah. I want to get that stuff! my sister has tea tree hair products at her salon

[jmdonofrio]

That's a great tip about the oil! I'll have to pick some up

[Rebecca85]

About the fishies, I have a few cichlids, though I never knew they could breathe from the surface!

[Andrilla]

Stupid question, but do goldfish have labyrinth organs? I'm not sure if mine go to the top to breathe or because they think that there will be food since I walked by.

[mooki]

Doesn't the oil actually have to come in contact with the germs to kill them? How does breathing it in do that? I don't understand.

My thoughts exactly. I'm not aware of any substance that kills bacteria and viruses without coming into contact with them. Have there been any scientific studies on this tea tree oil? Is it proven in the lab to kill germs? Such a test would be quite easy to set up.

[Rebecca85]

Tea tree is known to be an antiseptic (which I guess means it lills germs). I suppose you put it on your top lip so when you breathe in the air passes over it and any germs in that bit of air are killed.