James Thurber: I loathe the expression What makes him tick. It is the American mind, looking for simple and singular solution, that uses the foolish expression. A person not only ticks, he also chimes and strikes the hour, falls and breaks and has to be put together again, and sometimes stops like an electric clock in a thunderstorm.
But watch out, this is a liquid you want to keep far away from your mouth. Tea tree oil is dangerous if taken by mouth. It can cause serious side effects such as confusion, inability to walk, unsteadiness, rash and coma, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Janet Prystowsky.
I like to use this remedy - just a drop - on mouth sores when I get them. I put the drop on my finger, then rub it on the sore(s). There are warnings against it internally; however, health food stores do sell tea tree oil toothpicks, and many brands of toothpaste and mouthwash they sell contain it.