Word Nerd Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 I've read a lot about the benefits of using tea tree oil in various homemade cleaning and skin/hair care products, so I bought some. But I find the strong scent so unpleasant and overpowering--even just opening up the bottle--that it makes me feel nauseated. Did I get an "off" or rancid bottle, or does it smell nice to other people? I think I'm going to chuck it, as I don't want to smell it ever again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 I hate the smell of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtoamiracle Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Can't stand it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Hated it but got used to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 I've read a lot about the benefits of using tea tree oil in various homemade cleaning and skin/hair care products, so I bought some. But I find the strong scent so unpleasant and overpowering--even just opening up the bottle--that it makes me feel nauseated. Did I get an "off" or rancid bottle, or does it smell nice to other people? I think I'm going to chuck it, as I don't want to smell it ever again. I hate it too. I wouldn't use it for normal cleaning and skin/hair products...I do keep it on hand for fever blisters and other skin ouches....minor burns and bites etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kesmom Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 It can take some getting used to. I kind of enjoy the scent now and we even use a tea tree bar soap in the shower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoot Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 It doesn't bother me at all, though I've been using it for years so that could be it. :tongue_smilie: Even if I didn't like the smell, there's no way I would chuck it. It's just too useful to waste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 I don't mind it but dh hates the smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 It's supposed to smell that way. :p I like it, but I was brought up with the stuff. How can anyone not like it? :lol: Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 I hated it, but I hated fleas, and lice more. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 I love the smell, but I also like the scents of gasoline, oil refineries, and cigarette smoke...so what do I know? Is there another kind of oil with similar antimicrobial properties? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Smells like turpentine. I find it moderately unpleasant. My kids can't stand it. I doubt if you got an "off" bottle. The name sounds much more pleasant than the smell. However, it does work really well on itchy/inflamed skin. I once had chigger bites all over my abdomen, so I experimented and put cortisone cream on one side and tea tree oil on the other. The tea tree oil side definitely did better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessReplanted Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 I just bought some and I don't have a problem with the smell, but my husband said it's horrible. Oh well... :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixjen Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Check the label carefully. Many oils bought off the shelf are stretched with synthetics to make them more "affordable." They can smell off, and many times they will say not to use on skin, take internally, etc. I use Young Living oils because they are pure. Having said that though, sometimes even pure oils don't smell good to different people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 (edited) Yep. Smells like kerosene, dissolves plastics. It doesn't bother me too much, but I do usually mix it with lemon grass or something else in personal products. Who wants to go around smelling flammable? Maybe that would help? Oregano oil is also antimicrobial, but iirc, sort of spendy. Thyme is, too. @Jen: with few exceptions, it is always recommended that essential oils not be used straight on the skin. They should always be in a carrier oil, or "stretched" by mixing in another product (like creams). Edited November 4, 2012 by MyCrazyHouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Who wants to go around smelling flammable? . :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixjen Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 @Jen: with few exceptions, it is always recommended that essential oils not be used straight on the skin. They should always be in a carrier oil, or "stretched" by mixing in another product (like creams). What I meant is that some bottles of oil will say explicitly on them not to use topically, which can mean they are blended with a synthetic. That's different than saying to use a carrier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 It can take some getting used to. I kind of enjoy the scent now and we even use a tea tree bar soap in the shower. :iagree: Except I don't use tea tree soap in the shower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted November 4, 2012 Author Share Posted November 4, 2012 Everyone in the family seems to have the same "What is that horrible SMELL!?" reaction to it, so I don't think it's a good fit for us. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 It's supposed to smell that way. :p I like it, but I was brought up with the stuff. How can anyone not like it? :lol: Rosie :iagree::iagree: Tea tree grow all around me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy in Australia Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 I don't particularly like the smell but I am constantly astonished at how quickly it can heal infected cuts & the like, so I do use it in my homemade cleaners in very small proportions & put in heaps of lavender oil to counteract the smell. It mostly works :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy g. Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 I used to hate the smell, but now, I've come to love it. I like to mix it with grapefruit for soap and scrubs. I blend it with lemon for laundry soap and cleaning. For viruses, I put a few drops of tea tree and eucalyptus in the bath and soak. For skin issues, I mix tea tree, lavender and Roman chamomile. I hate how the chamomile smells, but I keep using it because it really calms irritation. I agree with not using it straight. I usually mix mine with Shea, but Jonoba oil or fractionated coconut oil would also be nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 :iagree::iagree: Tea tree grow all around me. It'd almost be like an American not liking the smell of pumpkin pie, wouldn't it? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted November 4, 2012 Author Share Posted November 4, 2012 It'd almost be like an American not liking the smell of pumpkin pie, wouldn't it? :lol: I like the smell of the trees in Oz and somehow never encountered the smell of TTO when I lived there for a year. I like the smell of pine trees but not turpentine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 I have grown to really like the smell, it's comforting. I don't use it mega regularly but the smell doesn't bother me. It is very strong though so I can understand why people don't like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 I like the smell of the trees in Oz and somehow never encountered the smell of TTO when I lived there for a year. I like the smell of pine trees but not turpentine. That's funny to me. I can't even work out how find a similarity between turps and tea tree oil. And tea tree oil doesn't smell like pine. But never mind. There are other things you tea tree oil haters can slosh about. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 (edited) What I meant is that some bottles of oil will say explicitly on them not to use topically, which can mean they are blended with a synthetic. That's different than saying to use a carrier. All essential oils say not to use topically. That is a rule from the FDA. To be labeled as "safe for internal use" then they must be "food grade" oils, which requires they be redistilled. Most essential oils intended to be use for aromatherapy are not redistilled. I would consider an EO labeled as "safe for internal use" as an inferior essential oil. Edited November 5, 2012 by Sis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted November 5, 2012 Author Share Posted November 5, 2012 That's funny to me. I can't even work out how find a similarity between turps and tea tree oil. And tea tree oil doesn't smell like pine. But never mind. There are other things you tea tree oil haters can slosh about. :) You mean other than that they both smell disgusting and are distilled from trees? ;) (No, tea tree oil doesn't smell like pine. I didn't say that it did.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 I'm not in love with the smell, but I don't find it unpleasant. After reading other reactions, I'm surprised because strong smells usually really annoy me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leanna76 Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 I use tea tree oil in my cloth wipes solution in my wipes warmer....3 Tbs Castile soap, 1 Tbs olive oil, 1 drop tea tree oil, 2 drops lavender oil, 8 cups of water...smells great, works great, love it! Before I started using it in my wipes, they had a mildew smell after a few days...now they never mildew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoObvious Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Ooh. I love it. Trader Joe's has a shampoo and conditioner. Heavenly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixjen Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 All essential oils say not to use topically. That is a rule from the FDA. To be labeled as "safe for internal use" then they must be "food grade" oils, which requires they be redistilled. Most essential oils intended to be use for aromatherapy are not redistilled. I would consider an EO labeled as "safe for internal use" as an inferior essential oil. I respectfully disagree. The Young Living essential oils are thereputic grade, and can all be used topically, and say so on their labels. They are also safe for inhalation, and many of them are considered and labeled GRAS (generally regarded as safe) for internal use as defined by the FDA. They are pure essential oils and are never adulterated with synthetics. There are currently over 50 hospitals that use YL oils exclusively such as The Cleveland Clinic in OH, and The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NY. It appears, however, that you and I feel very strongly about our positions and may have to agree to disagree on this particular issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 (edited) I respectfully disagree. The Young Living essential oils are thereputic grade, and can all be used topically, and say so on their labels. They are also safe for inhalation, and many of them are considered and labeled GRAS (generally regarded as safe) for internal use as defined by the FDA. They are pure essential oils and are never adulterated with synthetics. There are currently over 50 hospitals that use YL oils exclusively such as The Cleveland Clinic in OH, and The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NY. It appears, however, that you and I feel very strongly about our positions and may have to agree to disagree on this particular issue. "Therapeutic grade" and "aromatherapy grade" are just terms the companies make up. It doesn't mean anything. For a label to say "internal use" the oil MUST be food grade and thus, redistilled according to the FDA. Does the bottle say "internal use" on it? Peel your label back and look for an FDA food label. Is it there? http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/GenerallyRecognizedasSafeGRAS/default.htm GRAS" is an acronym for the phrase Generally Recognized As Safe. Under sections 201(s) and 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act), any substance that is intentionally added to food is a food additive, that is subject to premarket review and approval by FDA, unless the substance is generally recognized, among qualified experts, as having been adequately shown to be safe under the conditions of its intended use, or unless the use of the substance is otherwise excluded from the definition of a food additive. Edited November 5, 2012 by Sis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kesmom Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Ooh. I love it. Trader Joe's has a shampoo and conditioner. Heavenly. That is where we get the soap that we love. It's cheap too - only 1.99 for 2 bars. Unfortunately their shampoo didn't work well for me at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy g. Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Oh, I agree that "therapeutic grade" is just a made up marketing term. YL has very nice ( if overpriced) high quality essential oils. To imply that their EOs are somehow more pure than other unadulterated EOs is just not true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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