Using Tea Tree Oil to Treat Lice Effectively

In Shampoo

If you have moderate to severe head lice, then using some tea tree oil in your shampoo will help.

• Add about ten drops of the oil in shampoo.

• Apply the mixture generously on your scalp and along your hairline.

• Put on a shower cap to cover your hair.

• Leave it on for about 15 minutes or overnight. Kids should not leave it on overnight.

• Remove the shower cap and comb your hair thoroughly. This will help remove the dead lice.

• Rinse your hair using warm water.

• Repeat daily until you have no more lice.

You can also use tea tree oil in your conditioner instead of shampoo.

Spritz

Wondering how to use tea tree oil for lice? How about in a hair spritz? If you can’t stand the strength of tea tree oil, then you can safely use it diluted in a spray bottle.

• Put about an ounce of water in a spray bottle

• Add a few drops (3 or 4) of tea tree oil.

• Close the bottle and shake it enable proper mixing.

• Spritz some into your hair.

Do this every day before going to bed and comb your hair in the morning.

Hair Oil

Tea tree is very strong when used in its pure form but can cause a burning sensation. You should therefore be cautious when using it. You can dilute it with water or a carrier oil to avoid discomfort.

• Apply some on your scalp before going to bed and leave it on overnight.

• Comb your hair first thing in the morning to remove dead lice.

• Do this at least twice a week until the lice have cleared.

Mix with Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which helps dissolve the exoskeleton of lice eggs. It also helps dislodge the nits from the shaft of the hair. This way, they’ll fall off when you comb your hair.

• Mix about 5ml of tea tree oil, 3 tablespoons of shampoo and a cup of apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle.

• Shake the bottle to allow the ingredients to mix properly.

• Spray the solution into your hair and let it sit for about half an hour.

• Wash it off with a good quality shampoo and conditioner.

• Do this about 3 times a week until you have no more lice.

Combine with Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is a natural insect repellant that combines with tea tree oil to form a suffocation agent that kills lice. This is one of the ways to use tea tree oil for lice.

• Mix half a teaspoon of lavender oil with a teaspoon of tea tree.

• Apply this combination of oils on your hair and scalp.

• Leave it on overnight.

• Comb through your hair to remove the dead lice.

• Do this at least twice a week.

Eucalyptus or Rosemary

Research has shown that rosemary and eucalyptus has antiseptic properties that help kill head lice.

• Mix a teaspoon of tea tree oil with either eucalyptus or rosemary (1 teaspoon).

• Mix the resulting solution with your shampoo or conditioner and use it to wash your hair.

• Do this at least 3 times a week until the lice is gone.

Note: Eucalyptus can cause irritation or pain if it comes into contact with your eyes or mouth.

Coconut Oil Wash

Coconut oil is an excellent carrier oil. When combined with tea tree oil, it helps suffocate lice and prevents them from feeding and reproducing. Some studies have shown that using coconut oil is more effective than using over the counter treatments that contain permethrin.

• Mix 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, a teaspoon of tea tree oil and an ounce of shampoo.

• Apply the resulting solution to your hair and scalp and put on a shower cap.

• Let it sit for about half an hour.

• Remove the shower cap and comb your hair thoroughly. This will help remove dead lice.

• Use shampoo to wash your hair.

• Do this thrice a week.

Coconut Oil Wash

Coconut oil is an excellent carrier oil. When combined with tea tree oil, it helps suffocate lice and prevents them from feeding and reproducing. Some studies have shown that using coconut oil is more effective than using over the counter treatments that contain permethrin.

• Mix 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, a teaspoon of tea tree oil and an ounce of shampoo.

• Apply the resulting solution to your hair and scalp and put on a shower cap.

• Let it sit for about half an hour.

• Remove the shower cap and comb your hair thoroughly. This will help remove dead lice.

• Use shampoo to wash your hair.

• Do this thrice a week.

Vodka

A mixture of vodka and tea tree oil is a very effective solution for lice. It also helps relieve the itching caused by these little mites.

• Add about 2 teaspoons of vodka to about 1 ml of tea tree oil.

• Make sure to mix them properly.

• Apply some to your hair using a cotton ball and let it sit for about 12 hours.

• Wash out the solution with shampoo.

• Do this until there are no more lice.