Today, an aromatic oil
with a fragrance reminiscent of nutmeg is steam-distilled from the
Melaleuca leaves. Because the Melaleuca alternifolia grows only
in Australia, that country is now the major source of tea tree oil,
exporting some 700 tons of annually. Tea tree products are often referred to
as "melaleuca oil." The pure oil is colorless to pale yellow.
The Miracle of Tea Tree Oil
Latin name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Other names: Australian Tea Tree, Paperbark Tree, Punk Tree, Ti Tree
A Remedy For
Tea
Tree oil has demonstrated its medicinal value as an antiseptic and
disinfectant. Because of these properties, it is used externally to treat many
skin problems, including athlete's foot, toenail fungus, acne, cold sores,
diaper rash, scabies, insect bites, dandruff, and wounds. When prepared as a
rinse, it may also help relieve sore throat, inflamed gums, and vaginitis.
Some proponents recommend mixing a few drops of Tea Tree oil with a base
oil and massaging it into sore muscles, or into sprains, strains, and
arthritic joints. Advocates also say that few drops in a vaporizer inhaled as
steam may relieve nasal congestion and sinusitis. Such uses, however, lack any
scientific support.
Similarly, aromatherapists recommend inhaling the scent of Tea Tree oil for
many of the same bacterial, viral, and fungal disorders treated with external
applications of the oil. However, it is unclear how the aroma can have the
same effect as direct application to the infection, and no evidence exists to
support this technique. In addition, aromatherapists suggest that inhaling the
Tea Tree scent can relieve shock and hysteria, bronchitis, coughs,
tuberculosis, and whooping cough, and contend that it can be used to boost the
immune response against colds, flu, and chickenpox---but again without
supporting evidence.
What It Is; Why It Works
Tea Tree is an evergreen that grows in tropical climates, most notably,
Australia and New Zealand, where aborigines chew the leaves or crush them to
make tea. Tea Tree oil, which has a strong distinctive smell, is steam
distilled from the leaves. It is laced with compounds active against candida
(yeast infection), a number of viruses and bacteria such as Staphylococcus
aureus and Escherichia coli, and various fungi. Its
infection-fighting value is enhanced by its ability to penetrate the skin.
Avoid If...
Use with caution if you are prone to allergies. Tea Tree can cause contact
dermatitis (skin irritation). Discontinue use if a rash develops.
Special Cautions
Never take essential oils internally. They are extremely potent and can be
poisonous. Homemade Tea Tree oil preparations used to douche, rinse, or gargle
should always be diluted with water. Do not swallow any form of Tea Tree, and
keep it away from the eyes.
Possible Drug Interactions
No drug interactions have been reported.
Special Information If You Are Pregnant or
Breastfeeding
No harmful effects are known when used externally.
How To Prepare
Tea Tree oil is manufactured as a standardized extract from the leaves of the
plant. It is available in a variety of preparations, including gel, ointment,
cream, and mouthwash forms, and as a pure essential oil.
Typical Dosage
Use only as directed by the package instructions. For instance, in the case of
acne, a preparation of no more than 15 percent Tea Tree oil should be applied
twice a day. For fungal infections, preparations of 70 to 100 percent can be
applied full strength with a clean cotton swab twice daily. For a gargle or
mouth rinse, use only a product identified as a mouthwash. Vaginal douching
should be done under a doctor's supervision with a preparation formulated
especially for this purpose. When using the essential oil for aromatherapy,
measure it in drops. Never take the oil internally.
Overdosage
Some signs of overdose include confusion, loss of consciousness, and coma. If
you suspect an overdose, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Tea Tree Oil
What Is It?
Health Benefits
Forms
Dosage Information
Guidelines for Use
General Interaction
Possible Side Effects
Cautions
It was centuries ago that
Australian aborigines probably first started plucking leaves from a native
tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) to treat skin infections. In 1770,
sailors from Captain Cook's expedition to the South Seas ventured ashore at
New South Wales and brewed a tea using the leaves of the same tree. This
event engendered the herb's English name "tea tree"--which is actually
something of a misnomer because the Melaleuca species bears no
relation to the Camellia species, the usual source of tea leaves.
High-quality tea tree oil
contains 40% or more of terpinen-4-ol, the ingredient that fights harmful
bacteria and fungi and makes the oil so effective in preventing and fighting
infection in cuts, scrapes, insect bites, and stings.
Treat cuts,
scrapes, insect bites and stings, and other minor skin wounds and
irritations. Tea tree oil blends rapidly and easily with the skin's own
oils. In the process, the oil alters the chemical barrier of the skin,
making it less hospitable to the growth of fungi and other organisms. In
these ways, tea tree oil not only lessens the chance of infection, it also
promotes healing and reduces the likelihood of scarring.
Fight fungal nail
infections, jock itch, and athlete's foot. Tea tree oil has been shown
to be effective in countering Trichophyton, the fungus that causes
numerous topical infections, including athlete's foot and jock itch.
Shorten the course
of vaginal yeast infections. Two of the organisms that cause these
discomforts, Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis,
apparently succumb to the actions of tea tree oil.
Gently control
acne. Even severe cases of acne have been shown to benefit from
anti-acne preparations that contain up to 15% tea tree oil, an effect that
can be explained by the oil's antibacterial and skin-healing properties. In
one study conducted in Australia, a comparison was made between a gel
containing 5% tea tree oil and a traditional 5% benzoyl peroxide acne
lotion. The products proved similar in their effectiveness against pimples,
although the herbal preparation worked more slowly. It was notable, however,
that the product containing the tea tree oil caused significantly less
dryness, redness, scaling, and itching to the surrounding skin.
Treat dandruff and
head lice. According to one study, a 5% solution of tea tree oil is
effective against Pityrosporum ovale, a fungus that can cause
dandruff. In a laboratory analysis of tea-tree chemistry, substances were
discovered that can kill head lice. But human research is still needed,
especially since the skin of children (a population particularly susceptible
to lice) may be overly sensitive to tea tree oil.
Curtail warts.
Tea tree oil is sometimes recommended for warts, which are caused by
viruses. More research is needed to determine whether the oil is truly
effective for this purpose, but it certainly does not seem to cause any
complications.
Specifically, tea tree oil may help to:
Note: Tea tree oil has also been found to be useful for a number of other disorders. For information on these additional ailments, see our Dosage Recommendations Chart for Tea Tree Oil.
Forms
- suppository
- oil
- gel
- cream
Special tip:
For minor skin
wounds, insect bites and stings, and irritations: Cleanse the wound and
apply one or two drops of tea tree oil to the affected area two or three
times daily.
For nail
infections: Rub tea tree oil on the nail twice a day.
For athlete's
foot: Apply tea tree oil or cream to affected areas twice a day and/or
use it in a foot bath. For a foot bath: Put 20 drops of tea tree oil in a
small basin of warm water and soak the feet for 15 minutes, two or three
times a day. Dry the feet thoroughly after soaking and apply a drop or two
of oil to the affected area
For vaginal yeast
infections: Use a tea tree oil vaginal suppository, available at
health-food outlets, every 12 hours for up to five days.
For acne:
Apply a drop or two to each acne lesion three times a day.
For warts: Put
a few drops of the oil on a small gauze compress and tape it over the wart
at bedtime. Remove it in the morning. Repeat until the wart heals.
--Look for tea tree oil derived only from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree. Oil from other species can have a high percentage of cineole, a compound that can irritate the skin and hinder the oil's active ingredients from providing any therapeutic benefit.
Be sure to check out
our Dosage Recommendations Chart for Tea Tree Oil, which lists
therapeutic dosages for specific ailments at a glance.
There are no known drug
or nutrient interactions associated with tea tree oil.
|
Ailments
|
Dosage
|
| Acne |
Apply a drop or two to each acne
lesion 3 times a day.
|
| Athlete's Foot |
Apply oil or cream to affected
areas twice a day and/or use as a footbath.
|
| Cuts and Scrapes |
Apply cream to wound 3 times a day
in place of aloe or lavender oil.
|
| Insect Bites and Stings |
Apply 1 drop of oil to skin several
times a day, or as needed.
|
| Warts |
Put several drops on a compress.
Use overnight until the wart heals.
|
You cannot poison your body into health with drugs, chemo or radiation. The homeopathic approach treats the whole body, ignites the body's internal healing force and stimulates the body's natural abilities to heal itself. Health can only be achieved with healthful living.
| All information posted on this web site is the opinion of the author and is provided for educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as medical advice. Only a licensed medical doctor can legally offer medical advice in the United States. Consult the healer of your choice for medical care and advice. |
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