Urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bladder infections can sometimes be troublesome conditions, and people want to know whether tea tree oil baths can be useful for them in the management of those conditions.
If you have a UTI, tea tree oil baths can be extremely helpful, but exactly how helpful are they in the treatment and management of this disease and how best to use them for that purpose? Stay with us in this article to know the answer to these questions and more.
And, yes. If you have a UTI, bladder infection or cystitis in general, tea tree oil baths with their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and even antiviral properties can offer a lot of help for you managing those conditions, but you definitely should not replace them with antibiotics, especially in serious cases.
Can tea tree oil baths help in the management of UTIs and how effective are they?
You might think that because urinary tract infections are infections of the bladder (bladder infections) then there is no way for tea tree oil baths to help with those kinds of conditions.
Because the tea tree oil in those baths will not be able to go into the bladder and then achieve any kind of antibacterial effect in that part of the urinary tract and that is true by the way.
But the problem with that way of thinking is that it forgets the most common source of bladder infections, kidney infections and UTIs in general and forgets where did that bacteria that has settled and infected the bladder come from.
The bacteria that cause UTIs, bladder infections or cystitis symptoms in the majority of cases come from the perineal region (the area between the anus and the urethra), and before that, it was in the large intestine.
Tea tree oil baths can cut that passageway between the anus and the urethra and prevent any more bacteria from getting into the bladder and causing further damage to the bladder or any other part of the urinary tract.
Ph. Abbas
When microbes like E. coli migrate from the anus towards the urethra and then when such microbes make their way to the bladder, then a UTI (bladder infection) happens.
Tea tree oil baths with their antimicrobial properties can prevent that bacterial migration from the anus all the way to the urethra and then the bladder, therefore they can help in the treatment and prevention of UTI
Tea tree oil has many beneficial bacteriostatic or bactericidal (antibacterial) properties depending on the concentration and even antiviral and antifungal properties. See this study.
And, these properties are the ones that are going to kill the UTI-causing bacteria or fungi or any other pathological microorganism before they reach the urethra and the bladder.
But these properties have been shown to work against bacteria in the lab. How are we going to know that they will work on the human body?
A Tea tree oil bath is a solution that contains water and tea tree oil, and that same solution (tea tree oil in water solution of 5-10% concentration) has been shown to work effectively in treating a wide range of bacterial skin infections.
That means that if 5-10% tea tree oil to water solution can defeat more resilient full-fledged bacterial skin infections, then there is no reason for us to believe that that same solution won’t work on at least partially killing the germs around the genital area (the perineal region).
Here is a scientific study that shows that 5-10% tea tree oil in water solutions are extremely effective at eliminating various kinds of bacteria that might cause different kinds of infections in the human body, for example acne-causing bacteria.
Additionally, this study shows the wide range of antibacterial and antifungal activity of different kinds of tea tree oil preparations, like creams, body washes and even shampoos against various kinds of bacteria, including UTI-causing bacteria and even antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
So, these are studies and experiments that have found that tea tree oil preparations can work on actual human beings ridding them of various kinds of skin infections and other kinds of infections as effectively as treatments that have been specifically made for those kinds of diseases or sometimes even more effectively.
So, when people soak in a tea tree oil bath, which is basically a tea tree oil and water solution, bacteria and other pathological microorganisms won’t be able to get into the urinary tract and cause a UTI.
Because the tea tree oil in the bath would be able to eliminate those harmful microorganisms before they do so.
UTI sufferers can benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil baths
Tea tree oil also has an anti-inflammatory effect that can directly strengthen the immune system around the perineal region and the skin in general.
This can help UTI sufferers in treating an ongoing UTI if they have one and also in preventing UTIs from coming back to them in the future.
Because the immunity around the perineal region and the entire skin would not give any chance for any more bacteria to migrate through that region into the urinary tract.
There is also the antioxidant activities of tea tree oil, which can work hand in hand with the anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil baths on restoring the integrity of the skin in general and its immunity against skin-generated infections, like UTIs.
However, are all of these beneficial properties going to be enough to treat a serious UTI?
This is not going to stop or treat a full-fledged UTI on its own, but it’s definitely going to help in the treatment process.
When the bacteria have already settled and infected the bladder, tea tree oil baths won’t be very effective on their own because the tea tree oil won’t be able to reach the bladder as we pointed out earlier.
The best tea tree oil baths can do is to disinfect the perennial region (the area between the anus and the urethra) and the first part of the urethra at best scenarios, so they won’t be able to reach the bladder and eliminate any infection from there.
That would be the job of antibiotics and professional medical Treatment.
However, in that case, tea tree oil baths won’t be completely useless.
Because they can be used in conjugation with antibiotics to prevent the further introduction of new bacteria coming from the perennial region into the urinary tract and the bladder specifically speaking.
So, tea tree oil baths would be able to work on inhibiting the infection from the outside while the antibiotics would complete the work and inhabit the infection from the inside.
Ph. Abbas
This way you would have a complete action plan to surround the UTI bacteria and get rid of them in a more efficient way.
In fact, there is a lot of research, including this study, that has specifically investigated this matter and concluded that tea tree oil baths if used in combination with UTI antibiotics can enhance the action and effectiveness of these antibiotics in getting rid of the infection.
People who suffer from UTIs may benefit from reduced recurrence rates of UTIs, and their conditions may require less medication in general if they use tea tree oil baths in conjunction with their treatment.
Tea tree oil baths can work in a synergistic way with UTI medication in getting rid of the infection in a better and less painful way than if the UTI antibiotics were used alone.
If you use only antibiotics and medication to treat your UTI then you would risk the chance of new bacteria being introduced into the urinary tract and restarting the infection once again or the bacteria may exacerbate your UTI in a way in which more powerful antibiotics are going to be needed to be used.
This is why I say that tea tree oil baths can be very helpful for UTI sufferers even if they have a serious ongoing UTI.
But, you would have to use them in conjunction with the prescribed medical treatment in the case of a serious UTI or bladder infection.
Otherwise, they would be rendered ineffective, and using them alone can be detrimental for UTI sufferers who have a serious UTI condition because they would be delaying necessary prescription treatment from the doctor.
How about mild UTIs or cystitis?
Mild urinary tract or bladder infections are usually self-limiting and most of the time they resolve on their own without any intervention because the immunity of the urinary system will be able to overcome them in a matter of few days.
In many cases, there would be no pathological organism involved in causing the inflammation of the bladder, in which case the condition would be called cystitis.
In any case, whether there was a mild bacterial or viral infection in the bladder or whether there was no obvious cause for the agitation and inflammation, we don’t want the condition to deteriorate and become worse.
Because of the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of tea tree oil baths, these baths can help prevent UTI or cystitis from deteriorating and becoming something more significant.
If any further exacerbation a mild UTI or cystitis occurs, for example from external bacteria in the surroundings of the urethra or the perennial region trying to make their way into the urinary tract.
If that exacerbation occurs, then the infection might not resolve so easily, and in that case the condition might require medical supervision.
So, the best thing we can do in the case of a mild UTI, bladder infection or cystitis is to support the immune system in the best way we can.
One of the best ways to do that is by taking a tea tree oil bath.
Just as with serious or complicated UTIs, tea tree oil baths would prevent the further introduction of new bacteria into the urinary tract.
And, they can also kind of disinfect the area between the anus and the urethra and the skin in general and improve its immunity against all kinds of infections including skin-generated ones, like UTIs.
All of this can help the body in defeating the infection.
On the other hand, if people don’t use these baths or any kind of similar measure to help when they have a mild UTI, they would be risking the chance of exacerbating their UTI and turning it into something more serious.
More bacteria that can be living in their perineal region might get the chance to get into the urinary tract and worsen the condition because there are fewer obstacles in the bacteria’s way.
These baths can also help soothe and relax the person who is soaking in them with their wonderful smells and odors.
That can lower the cortisol levels of the person suffering from a UTI, which would decrease inflammation and improve immunity.
So, in the case of a mild UTI or cystitis, tea tree oil baths can help prevent those conditions from deteriorating and becoming something more dangerous, which requires medical supervision.
What about soaking in tea tree oil baths for prevention against UTIs?
One of the best uses for tea tree oil baths is to use them for preventative purposes.
Tea tree oil baths with their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects can reduce the bacterial load around the perennial region.
Bacterial load is the number of harmful bacteria living around a certain region.
Tea tree oil baths can also repair the skin and improve and strengthen its immunity against any kind of bacteria that might enter the urinary tract.
That’s why they can be extremely helpful for people who have recurrent UTIs and want to prevent them from coming back.
Is it a good idea to put tea tree oil in my bath if I have a UTI?
In any kind of case, tea tree oil baths would offer a great help to those who suffer from UTI.
So, of course, it would be a great idea to incorporate this home remedy into your UTI treatment plan. Just use it in the correct manner that we pointed out earlier.
See our Do baths make UTI worse article to learn about other kinds of baths and their effectiveness for UTIs.
How to use tea tree oil baths in the best way for each kind of UTI and cystitis?
For mild UTIs or cystitis, tea tree oil baths can be used alone or with some other kinds of home remedies in order to help the body contain the infection while it recovers.
For prevention of UTI, obviously, tea tree oil baths can be used on a regular basis (once or twice a week) alone or in combination with other helpful home remedies in order to prevent the recurrence of UTI.
To know what the best home remedies for UTI are, just search for our home remedies article on this website.
For people who have a serious ongoing UTI, it is best for them to use these baths in conjunction with the doctor’s prescribed antibiotics or medication so that they can help the doctor’s treatments get rid of the UTI in the best way possible.
For people who have a kidney infection, these patients need to be hospitalized immediately, and they can use tea tree oil baths after they have recovered from the kidney infection.
If you are anywhere in between and don’t know what you should do, just try to take note of your symptoms and see if they have lingered for a long time (more than three days or so), and if the symptoms were severe enough or if they were getting worse by time, then don’t waste your time on home remedies and call the doctor immediately.
Waiting on the infection might cause some kidney damage and depending on the case, the damage might not be reversible, so definitely contact the doctor once you notice any dangerous warning signs, including the ones we mentioned earlier.
If you still don’t know you can go to your local pharmacist and they will guide you on whether you should see a doctor or not depending on your individual case.
How do tea tree oil baths work for UTIs or how can they help with UTI’s treatment?
Evidence from scientific research shows the way in which tea tree oil can kill different kinds of bacteria.
Tea tree oil causes breakdown of the cell membranes of UTI-causing bacteria, such as the E. coil bacteria or the staphylococcus aureus, which would result in bacterial death.
Researchers have noticed that a great number of cellular components of bacteria have been leaking out of the bacterial cell membrane after treatment with tea tree oil.
Also, tea tree oil made the bacteria lose their ability to utilize glucose for energy production.
Research also points out that bacteria have lost their ability to remain in a hemostatic state or stable state with the surrounding environment, which means that bacteria will lose their ability to control what goes in and out of it when treated with tea tree oil.
In other words, tea tree oil alters the permeability of the bacterial cell membranes, and this was seen with the treatment of tea tree oil to various kinds of bacteria at low concentrations, which are highly tolerable by the human skin.
To put that into perspective we recommend that you use a 5-10% dilution ratio of tea tree oil to water in your bath.
That concentration would be more than enough to get rid of bacteria around your perineal region and it’s extremely safe too.
Using tea tree oil in low concentrations, for example in tea tree oil baths, will lead to a bacteriostatic action of tea tree oil in which the bacteria will lose their ability to grow and multiply.
This will then lead to bacterial death eventually because then they will be engulfed by the macrophages or other components of our immune system.
Sometimes, using tea tree oil even at low concentrations will lead to a bactericidal action in which the bacteria will immediately die, but this is more likely to happen at higher concentrations of tea tree oil, which might not be so safe to the skin.
This suggests that even if used at low concentrations, such as in a bath, and even if it does not succeed at achieving bactericidal action, tea tree oil can at least impede the growth of bacteria.
This will help other treatments and the immune system to get rid of the infection and regain its strength.
But what does that do to an actual ongoing infection in the bladder?
Well as we said the tea tree oil bath will kill or prevent any bacteria trying to travel from the perineal region or the surroundings of the urethra into the urethra and then the bladder and that can prevent the exacerbation of UTI.
So, if the patient was suffering from a serious or complicated UTI or bladder infection, the tea tree oil bath would help them prevent the infection from getting any worse in a way that even antibiotics and prescriptions won’t be able to cure completely.
And, if the patient has a mild UTI or cystitis, the bath can help them ward off any more bacteria that might enter into their urinary tract and turn their condition into something more complicated, which might need medical attention.
People who have UTIs, cystitis or bladder infections might find the antifungal and antiviral properties of tea tree oil baths beneficial
Tea tree oil also does the same thing with fungi as it does with bacteria as at low concentrations it can also alter the permeability of fungal cell wall, eventually leading to these different kinds of fungi to lose their internal cellular material and then die.
Research is saying that mixing lavender oil with tea tree will have a synergistic effect when it comes to fighting fungal infections meaning that the mixture of the two essential oils will have a better antimicrobial or in this case antifungal activity than if each one of them was used alone.
And, I suspect that that synergistic effect will not happen only with fungal infections but also with other kinds of infections like UTIs caused by bacterial infections for example.
Tea tree oil has antiviral effects, although these effects may only be protective against viruses and not strong enough to offer much benefit in the treatment of ongoing or already existing viral infections including viral UTIs, but we must not underestimate the value of prevention against UTIs.
Tea tree oil baths can make the skin barrier even more powerful in the face of skin-generated infections, like UTIs, by only killing harmful bacteria and leaving the good ones.
Tea tree oil can kill or halt the growth of pathological bacteria at low concentrations but it needs to be used in high concentrations to kill commensal skin bacteria or the beneficial bacteria living on our skin. See this research.
So applying it in your bath in the recommended 5-10% concentration will only get rid of the bad bacteria while at the same keeping the good bacteria alive and strengthening them because you will rid them of any competition.
That in general can lead to improving your perineal region and your skin’s immunity against E. coli and other bacteria that might end up causing a UTI.
The anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil baths can immunize the skin and the perineal region against UTI-causing bacteria
Not only does tea tree oil reduce inflammation but it also reduces allergy, which is caused by histamine production, while inflammation is caused by the release of substances called inflammatory mediators.
Tea tree oil also reduces inflammation that is caused or exacerbated by allergies or histamine production. So, tea tree oil reduces inflammation through more than one pathway.
Inflammation and histamine production can be a result of the body’s response towards E. coli bacteria or other UTI-causing bacteria colonizing or migrating through the perineum into the urinary tract.
Or, they can happen because of irritation or allergy due to environmental factors, like undergarments or something like that.
In any case, that can further weaken the perineal region and make it even more susceptible to even more bacteria traveling through it into the urinary tract.
Tea tree oil baths can reduce inflammatory mediators production and histamine production, which would reduce allergy and inflammation and the inflammation that’s exacerbated by allergic reactions in that area.
That can render the perineum more immune to bacteria and other pathological microorganisms that might end up causing a UTI. See this study.
Tea tree oil baths for people who suffer from recurrent UTIs or chronic cystitis
It has become widely believed by researchers and scientists that resistance to tea tree oil is very difficult to be developed if not impossible.
Because of the multiple ways in which tea tree oil can kill or halt the growth of bacteria (mechanisms of action) and because of the multiple antimicrobial compounds present in tea tree oil that all have their own way of working against bacteria,
This can be especially helpful for people who suffer from recurrent UTIs or people who keep getting UTIs.
Because with these kinds of people, there is a high likelihood that the bacteria that is causing them a UTI has developed resistance to many of the common antibiotics used to treat UTI.
So by using tea tree oil, this essential oil can help the prescribed antibiotics in getting rid of the infection maybe this time in a more efficient way that will reduce the probability of the infection coming back.
Another benefit for people who keep getting UTIs is when they use tea tree oil baths at the time when they don’t have a UTI going on.
Because using tea tree oil baths in that way may result in preventing UTIs from ever coming back to them or at least reduce the possibility of that happening.
Also, it was shown through research that tea tree oil is as effective against MRSA bacteria and other kinds of resistant bacteria strains as against nonresistant kinds of bacteria.
This means that tea tree oil solutions of 5-10% (tea tree oil bath) can kill almost all kinds of bacteria even the ones that have acquired resistance to UTI antibiotics and that is very good news for UTI patients who keep getting UTIs.
Is it safe to soak in a tea tree oil bath if I have a UTI?
The concentrations in which tea tree oil can exhibit its antibacterial action are highly tolerable and not toxic to the human skin.
So, putting tea tree oil in your bath in the ratio of 5-10% won’t be able to cause any problems to your UTI condition, but on the contrary, it will help you in getting rid of or preventing the infection.
But you should do a batch test before soaking in the bath just in case.
Just soak a part of your hand in the bath and wait for 5-10 minutes. If no allergy or irritation occurs, then you are free to use the bath.
In general preparations of 5-10% tea tree oil are well tolerated by the skin with no problems.
Whether it would be a tea tree oil and water solution, such as the case of tea tree oil baths, body wash, cream or a 5% tea tree oil shampoo, which was used effectively for the treatment of dandruff.
So long as the tea tree oil contained within those preparations is in the 5-10% concentration then generally the skin won’t be damaged or irritated by it, except for the people who have allergies to tea tree oil.
Some people may get allergies from using tea tree oil topically on the skin, but that almost only happens due to the incorrect use of the oil. See this study.
These people have either used the undiluted (neat) version of the oil, they didn’t dilute the oil well enough with water or with a carrier oil, or they have used an improperly stored or aged tea tree oil.
The latter kind of oil cannot be called tea tree oil anymore because a lot of its chemical composition during the time it was stored in has changed because of air or light exposure or both.
Only store tea tree oil in a dark and dry place and always try to keep it sealed properly with minimal air exposure so that it can preserve its beneficial properties that can help people who suffer from UTI without it turning into something toxic if used on the skin.
There are approximately no studies or scientific evidence that suggest that if tea tree oil was used in the correct way, it could cause allergic reactions to the people who use it.
So, people who want to use the essential oil in their baths to help with their UTIs should worry not about that matter of safety, unless the tea tree oil they were using was stored improperly.
Air exposure with time can cause tea tree oil to undergo oxidation which would then force the essential oil to produce oxidation products that can be harmful to the skin or even toxic.
In the same manner, light exposure can also cause tea tree oil with time to undergo photo-oxidation which would also force the essential oil to produce photooxidation products that can also be toxic to the skin.
So, always try to limit the air and light exposure of tea tree oil and only buy tea tree oil products that are stored in dark or opaque containers.
Now’s Tea Tree Essential oil is the best tea tree oil product, which has all of the necessary prerequisites we mentioned earlier to make it an extremely good choice for people who have UTI.
The NOW company is a very trusted brand when it comes to making plant-based products and their tea tree oil comes in a dark container so as to reduce the risk of photooxidation. I advise you to buy the small (1 ounce) container in order to limit air exposure too. See it on Amazon.
This is the pale yellow color of pure fresh tea tree oil. If it becomes oxidized, the color would turn into the darker shades of yellow depending on the degree of oxidization.
Also, you would notice a change in smell when the oil gets oxidized.
How to make a tea tree oil bath for UTI treatment and prevention?
Tea tree oil must be diluted with a carrier oil before applying it on the skin directly and if used in a bath it will be automatically diluted in the bath water.
Use a 5 to 10% tea tree oil to water dilution ratio, which means that for every 10 milliliters of water, you should use 1mililiter of tea tree oil.
Soak in the bath for about 15 to 30 minutes and that should really help you with your UTI condition.
Do tea tree oil baths work for kidney infections?
In some cases, UTIs can start right from the kidneys or they can ascend from the lower parts of the urinary tract, like the bladder, and then reach the kidneys.
In these kinds of situations, the UTI would be called a kidney infection.
In these kinds of cases, the patient would have extremely severe symptoms that they won’t be able to tolerate staying at home without any professional medical treatment.
Such kinds of patients should not waste their time on home measures like taking a tea tree oil bath, and they best trust their intuition that they should go to the doctor immediately.
After they have been cured of the kidney infection, patients can use tea tree oil bath to help prevent
Tea tree oil baths for hospital-acquired UTIs?
Hospital-acquired UTIs are usually more resilient to therapies than community-acquired ones.
These infections are usually caused by the resistant bacterial strain Pseudomonas arginosa.
with such infections, it may not be a good idea to use tea tree oil baths because they will just provide minimal to no help. See this study.
It’s better to stick to the doctor’s regimen and then use tea tree oil baths for prevention against UTI after the infection has been cured.
Are baths good for UTI?
It depends on the kind of bath itself.
If the bath contained ingredients that have antimicrobial properties and possibly some anti-inflammatory properties for example with little to no ingredients that would cause allergy or irritation to the skin, such as Epsom salt baths, then of course it would be extremely okay to soak in that bath to help with UTI.
See our Epsom salt bath for UTIs article.
However, if the bath contained a lot of ingredients that might cause allergy or irritation to the skin, for example soap or bubble baths, then of course it would not be recommended to soak in that bath, especially if the person has UTI.
If the bath water was contaminated or if the bathtub was not cleaned well enough then there’s no questioning that that would exacerbate UTIs.
In conclusion
Tea tree oil baths can be considered as a valuable addition to your UTI management plan as these baths can be used to prevent mild cystitis or UTIs from getting worse, and they can also complement medical treatments in the case of more serious UTIs.
These baths utilize the great antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil to help in the UTI treatment and prevention process.
These baths are usually safe, but it’s always important to remember to use the right dilution ratio and to ensure proper storage of tea tree oil in order to prevent degradation of the product which can lead to irritation and allergic reactions.