TEA TREE OIL: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the tea tree. The tea tree was named by eighteenth century sailors, who made tea that smelled like nutmeg from the leaves of the tree growing on the swampy southeast Australian coast. Do not confuse the tea tree with the unrelated common tea plant that is used to make black and green teas.

Tea tree oil is used for acne, infestation of the eyelashes with a type of mite (ocular demodicosis), toenail fungus (onychomycosis), and athlete's foot (Tinea pedis). It is also used for dandruff, lice, bad breath, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its other uses.

How does it work ?

The chemicals in tea tree oil may kill bacteria and fungus, and reduce allergic skin reactions.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

Acne. Applying a 5% tea tree oil gel appears to be as effective as 5% benzoyl peroxide (Oxy-5, Benzac AC, and others) for treating acne. Tea tree oil might work more slowly than benzoyl peroxide, but seems to be less irritating to facial skin. When applied twice daily for 45 days, tea tree oil reduces several acne symptoms, including acne severity. But tea tree oil might be less effective than another product prepared by fermenting a type of cypress with the probiotic Lactobacillus.
Infestation of the eyelashes with a type of mite (ocular demodicosis). A number of early studies show that tea tree oil might cure this common eyelid infection and reduce the associated symptoms, including eye inflammation and vision loss.
Toenail fungus (onychomycosis). Applying 100% tea tree oil solution to the skin twice daily for 6 months can cure fungal toenail infection in about 18% of people who try it. It can also improve nail appearance and symptoms in about 56% of patients after 3 months and 60% of patients after 6 months of treatment. It seems to be comparable to twice daily application of clotrimazole 1% solution (Fungoid, Lotrimin, Lotrimin AF). Lower concentrations of tea tree oil do not seem to be as effective. For example, there is some evidence that a 5% tea tree oil cream applied three times daily for 2 months has no benefit.
Athlete's foot (Tinea pedis). Topical application of a 10% tea tree oil cream works about as well as tolnaftate 1% cream (Genaspor, Tinactin, Ting, and others) for relieving symptoms of athlete's foot, including scaling, inflammation, itching, and burning. However, the 10% tea tree oil cream doesn't seem to cure the infection. However, applying a stronger tea tree oil solution (25% or 50%) appears to both relieve symptoms and clear up the infection in about half of people who try it for 4 weeks. However, 25% or 50% tea tree oil doesn't appear to be as effective for curing the infection as medications such as clotrimazole or terbinafine.

Insufficient Evidence for

Overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. Early research suggests that tea tree oil may benefit people with bacterial vaginosis.
Dandruff. Early research suggests that applying a 5% tea tree oil shampoo three minutes daily for four weeks reduces scalp lesions, scalp itchiness, and greasiness in people with dandruff.
Tooth plaque. Results from research examining the effects of tea tree oil on dental plaque are inconsistent. Some early research shows that brushing the teeth with a 2.5% tea tree oil gel twice daily for 8 weeks reduces gum bleeding but not plaque in people who have gingivitis caused by plaque. Also, using a mouthwash containing tea tree oil after a professional teeth cleaning does not seem to reduce plaque formation. However, rinsing with a specific product (Tebodont) containing tea tree oil and a chemical called xylitol seems to reduce plaque. Also, rinsing with another product that contains tea tree oil, clove, and holy basil seems to reduce plaque.
Dry eye. Scrubbing the eyelid with a shampoo containing tea tree oil may reduce eye sensitivity and pain in people with dry eye after cataract surgery. These people are also using eye drops to reduce pain and swelling in the eyes.
A mild form of gum disease (gingivitis). Results from research examining the effects of tea tree oil on gingivitis are inconsistent. Some early research shows that brushing the teeth with a 2.5% tea tree oil gel twice daily for eight weeks reduces gum bleeding but does not improve overall gum health in people who have gingivitis caused by plaque. However, rinsing with a specific product (Tebodont) containing tea tree oil and a chemical called xylitol seems to reduce gum inflammation. Also, rinsing with another product that contains tea tree oil, clove, and holy basil seems to reduce gum inflammation.
Bad breath. Early research shows that adding tea tree oil to an essential oil mixture containing peppermint and lemon oils can reduce bad breath when used as part of a 3-minute oral cleaning.
Hemorrhoids. Some early research suggests that applying a gel containing tea tree oil, hyaluronic acid, and methyl-sulfonyl-methane reduces symptoms of hemorrhoids, including pain, inflammation and itching, in children.
Cold sores (herpes labialis). Research so far suggests that applying 6% tea tree oil gel five times daily does not improve cold sores.
Male-pattern hair growth in women (hirsutism). Early research suggests that using a spray containing lavender oil and tea tree oil twice daily for 3 months slightly reduces hair growth in some areas in women with hirsutism.
Lice. Early research suggests that tea tree oil might repel lice. Also, applying a combination of lavender and tea tree oil kills lice eggs and reduces the number of live lice. It is unclear if the effects are caused by the tea tree oil alone or the combination of lavender and tea tree oil.
A difficult to treat infection caused by a bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics (MRSA). Evidence about the effects of tea tree oil on MRSA infection is unclear. When compared to standard MRSA treatment alone, adding tea tree oil does not seem to improve overall MRSA clearance or prevent infection. Also, using a tea tree oil solution when cleaning wounds does not seem to improve MRSA clearance. However, an early study suggests that using a 4% tea tree oil nasal ointment plus a 5% tea tree oil body wash along with other standard treatments might have a small benefit. Tea tree oil does not seem to prevent MRSA infection.
Allergic skin reactions to nickel. Early research suggests that undiluted tea tree oil may reduce the area and redness skin reactions in people who are allergic to contact with nickel. Also some early evidence suggests that applying diluted tea tree oil to the skin before nickel exposure reduces skin reactions in people allergic to nickel.
Thrush. Because people with AIDS have a weak immune system, they sometimes come down with "opportunistic" infections such as thrush. There is some evidence that tea tree oil might be beneficial in patients with HIV/AIDS whose thrush does not respond to usual antifungal medications such as fluconazole. Swishing and expelling tea tree oil solution for 2-4 weeks seems to improve symptoms. There is also early evidence that using tea tree oil as part of an essential oil mixture might improve oral comfort in cancer patients. However, adding 1 mL of tea tree oil to a standard conditioner treatment does not reduce infections and inflammation in people with dentures.
A sexually transmitted infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis). Early research suggests that tea tree oil may be beneficial for people with a type of vaginal infection called trichomoniasis.
Vaginal yeast infections. Early research suggests that tea tree oil may be beneficial for people with a type of vaginal infection called vaginal candidiasis.
Water warts. Early research shows that applying a combination of tea tree oil and iodine to the skin of children for 30 days helps clear up skin bumps caused by a poxvirus better than just tea tree oil or iodine alone.
A skin condition that causes redness on the face (rosacea).
Congestion.
Cough.
Ear infection (otitis media).
Preventing infections in cuts, abrasions, burns, insect bites and stings, and boils.
Ringworm (Tinea corporis).
Itchy skin infection caused by mites (scabies).
Sore throat.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate tea tree oil for these uses.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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TEA TREE OIL

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Dosing

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