TEA TREE OIL

OTHER NAME(S):

Aceite del Árbol de Té, Australian Tea Tree Oil, Huile de Melaleuca, Huile de Théier, Huile de Théier Australien, Huile Essentielle de Théier, Melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleuca Oil, Oil of Melaleuca, Oleum Melaleucae, Tea Tree, Tea Tree Essential Oil.<br/><br/>

Overview

Overview Information

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 applied to the skin (used topically) for infections such as acne, fungal infections of the nail (onychomycosis), lice, scabies, athlete's foot (tinea pedis), and ringworm. It is also used topically as a local antiseptic for cuts and abrasions, for burns, insect bites and stings, boils, vaginal infections, recurrent herpes labialis, toothache, infections of the mouth and nose, sore throat, and for ear infections such as otitis media and otitis externa.

Some people add it to bath water to treat cough, bronchial congestion, and pulmonary inflammation.

How does it work?

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

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Possibly Effective for

  • Mild to moderate 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.
  • Fungus infections of the nails (onychomycosis). Topical application of 100% tea tree oil solution, twice daily for six 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 three months and 60% of patients after six 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 two 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. A stronger tea tree oil solution (25% or 50%) is needed for that. Application of 25% or 50% tea tree oil solution 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 concentrations don't appear to be as effective for curing the infection as medications such as clotrimazole or terbinafine.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Bacterial infection of the vagina (bacterial vaginosis). 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.
  • Dental 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.
  • 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.
  • Excess body hair 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.
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. 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.
  • Yeast infections in the mouth and throat (thrush; also known as oropharyngeal candidiasis). 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.
  • Skin infection caused by a certain virus. 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.
  • Vaginal infection called trichomoniasis. Early research suggests that tea tree oil may be beneficial for people with a type of vaginal infection called trichomoniasis.
  • Vaginal infection called vaginal candidiasis. Early research suggests that tea tree oil may be beneficial for people with a type of vaginal infection called vaginal candidiasis.
  • Congestion.
  • Cough.
  • Ear infections.
  • Preventing infections in cuts, abrasions, burns, insect bites and stings, and boils.
  • Ringworm.
  • Scabies.
  • Sore throat.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate tea tree oil for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

Tea tree oil is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when put on the skin, but it can cause skin irritation and swelling. In people with acne, it can sometimes cause skin dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness.

Applying products to the skin that contain tea tree oil along with lavender oil might not be safe for young boys who have not yet reached puberty. These products might have hormone effects that could disrupt the normal hormones in a boy's body. In some cases, this has resulted in boys developing abnormal breast growth called gynecomastia. The safety of these products when used by young girls is not known.

Tea tree oil is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. Don't take tea tree oil by mouth. As a general rule never take undiluted essential oils by mouth due to the possibility of serious side effects. Taking tree tea oil by mouth has caused confusion, inability to walk, unsteadiness, rash, and coma.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Tea tree oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin. However, it is LIKELY UNSAFE if taken by mouth. Ingestion of tea tree oil can be toxic.

Interactions

Interactions?

We currently have no information for TEA TREE OIL Interactions.

Dosing

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULT

APPLIED TO THE SKIN:

  • For acne: 5% tea tree oil gel applied daily.
  • For infestation of the eyelashes with a type of mite (ocular demodicosis): Weekly scrubs of the eyelid using 50% tea tree oil along with daily scrubs of the eyelid with tea tree shampoo or 10% tea tree oil, applied once or twice per day for 3-5 minutes for up to 6 weeks.
  • For nail fungus (onychomycosis): 100% tea tree oil solution applied twice daily for 6 months.
  • For athlete's foot (tinea pedis): 25% or 50% tea tree oil solution applied twice daily for one month has been used. Also, 10% tea tree oil cream applied twice daily for one month has also been used.
CHILDREN

APPLIED TO THE SKIN:
  • For acne: 5% tea tree oil gel applied daily.
  • For infestation of the eyelashes with a type of mite (ocular demodicosis): Weekly scrubs of the eyelid using 50% tea tree oil and daily eyelid massages with 5% tea tree ointment has been used.

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View References

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  • Brand, C., Ferrante, A., Prager, R. H., Riley, T. V., Carson, C. F., Finlay-Jones, J. J., and Hart, P. H. The water-soluble components of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) suppress the production of superoxide by human monocytes, but not neutrophils, activated in vitro. Inflamm.Res 2001;50(4):213-219. View abstract.
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  • Cox, S. D., Gustafson, J. E., Mann, C. M., Markham, J. L., Liew, Y. C., Hartland, R. P., Bell, H. C., Warmington, J. R., and Wyllie, S. G. Tea tree oil causes K+ leakage and inhibits respiration in Escherichia coli. Lett Appl Microbiol 1998;26(5):355-358. View abstract.
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  • Hart, P. H., Brand, C., Carson, C. F., Riley, T. V., Prager, R. H., and Finlay-Jones, J. J. Terpinen-4-ol, the main component of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil), suppresses inflammatory mediator production by activated human monocytes. Inflamm.Res 2000;49(11):619-626. View abstract.
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  • Lee, G., Anand, S. C., and Rajendran, S. Are biopolymers potential deodourising agents in wound management? J Wound.Care 2009;18(7):290, 292-290, 295. View abstract.
  • Loughlin, R., Gilmore, B. F., McCarron, P. A., and Tunney, M. M. Comparison of the cidal activity of tea tree oil and terpinen-4-ol against clinical bacterial skin isolates and human fibroblast cells. Lett.Appl.Microbiol. 2008;46(4):428-433. View abstract.
  • McCage, C. M., Ward, S. M., Paling, C. A., Fisher, D. A., Flynn, P. J., and McLaughlin, J. L. Development of a paw paw herbal shampoo for the removal of head lice. Phytomedicine 2002;9(8):743-748. View abstract.
  • Millar, B. C. and Moore, J. E. Successful topical treatment of hand warts in a paediatric patient with tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia). Complement Ther.Clin.Pract. 2008;14(4):225-227. View abstract.
  • Nenoff, P., Haustein, U. F., and Brandt, W. Antifungal activity of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) against pathogenic fungi in vitro. Skin Pharmacol 1996;9(6):388-394. View abstract.
  • Peña EF. Melaleuca alternifolia oil. Its use for trichomonal vaginitis and other vaginal infections. Obstet Gynecol 1962;19(6):793-795.
  • Raman, A., Weir, U., and Bloomfield, S. F. Antimicrobial effects of tea-tree oil and its major components on Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes. Lett Appl Microbiol 1995;21(4):242-245. View abstract.
  • Reuter, J., Merfort, I., and Schempp, C. M. Botanicals in dermatology: an evidence-based review. Am J Clin Dermatol 2010;11(4):247-267. View abstract.
  • Schempp, C. M., Schopf, E., and Simon, J. C. [Plant-induced toxic and allergic dermatitis (phytodermatitis)]. Hautarzt 2002;53(2):93-97. View abstract.
  • Schnitzler, P., Schon, K., and Reichling, J. Antiviral activity of Australian tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil against herpes simplex virus in cell culture. Pharmazie 2001;56(4):343-347. View abstract.
  • Seawright A. Comment: Tea tree oil poisoning. Med.J Aust 1993;159:830-831.
  • Sherry, E., Boeck, H., and Warnke, P. H. Percutaneous treatment of chronic MRSA osteomyelitis with a novel plant- derived antiseptic. BMC.Surg 2001;1(1):1. View abstract.
  • Takarada, K., Kimizuka, R., Takahashi, N., Honma, K., Okuda, K., and Kato, T. A comparison of the antibacterial efficacies of essential oils against oral pathogens. Oral Microbiol.Immunol 2004;19(1):61-64. View abstract.
  • Thompson, G., Blackwood, B., McMullan, R., Alderdice, F. A., Trinder, T. J., Lavery, G. G., and McAuley, D. F. A randomized controlled trial of tea tree oil (5%) body wash versus standard body wash to prevent colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in critically ill adults: research protocol. BMC.Infect.Dis. 2008;8:161. View abstract.
  • Vazquez JA, Vaishampayan J, Arganoza MT, and et al. Use of an over the counter product, Breathaway (Melaleuca oral solution), as an alternative agent for refractory oropharyngeal candidiasis in AIDS patients [abstract]. Int Conf AIDS 1996;11:109.
  • Veal, L. The potential effectiveness of essential oils as a treatment for headlice, Pediculus humanus capitis. Complement Ther Nurs.Midwifery 1996;2(4):97-101. View abstract.
  • Williams LR, Home VN, Zhang X, and et al. The composition and bactericidal activity of oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil). Int J Aromather 1988;1:15-17.
  • Williamson, E. M., Priestley, C. M., and Burgess, I. F. An investigation and comparison of the bioactivity of selected essential oils on human lice and house dust mites. Fitoterapia 2007;78(7-8):521-525. View abstract.
  • Allen P. Tea tree oil: the science behind the antimicrobial hype. Lancet 2001;358:1245. View abstract.
  • Andersen LP, Holck S, Kupcinskas L, et al. Gastric inflammatory markers and interleukins in patients with functional dyspepsia treated with astaxanthin. FEMS Immunol.Med Microbiol. 2007;50:244-48. View abstract.

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