For many people with toenail fungus tea tree oil is like a magic potion. Anecdotal stories abound of people who have used this essential oil to treat fungal nail infections. It is one of the popular natural healing alternatives to expensive oral prescription drugs feared for their possible side effects, and it is readily available because it is also used as a natural healing treatment for other conditions.

Bottled tea tree oil for fungus comes from an Australian tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly called the Tea Tree. It is being investigated for its abilities to kill bacteria, fungi, yeasts and viruses, and there is some evidence that it may indeed be an appropriate weapon against toenail fungus; tea tree oil may soon take its place beside the currently accepted prescription medications for this condition.

Tea tree oil for fungus infections can be purchased from homeopathic and alternative medicine suppliers. In preparations specifically for toenail fungus, tea tree oil may be only one of the ingredients: in many cases it is blended with other essential oils believed to have some effectiveness against nail fungus. Other supplements to tea tree oil toenail fungus treatment include DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide), vaseline (mixed 50/50), Vicks VapoRub, iodine, and apple cider vinegar taken orally (dont take tea tree oil orally!). These treatments all come under the heading of home remedies: no scientific studies validate their effectiveness.

Before using toenail fungus tea tree oil treatment, visit your doctor and get a proper diagnosis. Other things can cause toe nails and finger nails to discolor and become thickened or deformed. These things include injury, bacterial growth, skin conditions and other issues. If the problem is not toenail fungus, tea tree oil probably will not help and you will have wasted time and money. If your doctor confirms that the problem is a fungus (you may need to have a nail sample collected and sent to the laboratory for a definitive answer), then it may be worth trying the tea tree oil toenail fungus remedy.

Talk to your doctor about your options. A doctor can provide current information on the prescription drug choices for toenail fungus, and advise you about the cost of treatment and risk of side effects. He or she may also be able to discuss the treatment successes and failures of other patients. Learn about the options and weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether or not to use toenail fungus tea tree oil remedy.