Tea tree oil

Related Terms

1,8-cineole, alpha-terpineol, ascaridole, Australian tea tree oil, Bogaskin? (veterinary formulation), breathaway, Burnaid?, cymene, gamma-terpinen, malaleuca, Melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel, Melaleuca alternifolia Hydrogel? (burn dressing), melaleuca oil, melaleucae, oil of mela-leuca, oleum, Oleum melaleucae, T36-C7, Tebodont?, teebaum, terpinen, terpinen-4-ol, terpinenol-4, ti tree, TTO.
Select combination products: Tebodont?, PolytoxinolT
Note: Tea tree oil should not be confused with cajeput oil, niauouli oil, kanuka oil, or manuka oil obtained from other Melaleuca species.

Background

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil is thought to have antiseptic properties and has been used to prevent and treat infections.
Other traditional uses of tea tree oil include treatment of fungal infections (including fungal infections of the nails and athlete's foot), dental health, parasites, skin allergic reactions, and vaginal infections. In addition, there is evidence supporting tea tree oil use for acne; however, further research is needed.
Tea tree oil should not be taken by mouth; there are reports of toxicity after consuming tea tree oil by mouth. When applied to the skin, tea tree oil is reported to be mildly irritating and has been associated with the development of an allergic skin reaction, which may limit its potential as an agent for the skin in some people.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Although available in many products, little information is available from human studies to evaluate the benefit of tea tree oil used on the skin for the treatment of acne. Tea tree oil may reduce the number of inflamed and non-inflamed lesions.

 B


Although available in many products, little information is available from human studies to evaluate the benefit of tea tree oil used on the skin for the treatment of acne. Tea tree oil may reduce the number of inflamed and non-inflamed lesions.

 B


Early small studies show that tea tree oil applied to this skin may reduce histamine-induced inflammation. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Early small studies show that tea tree oil applied to this skin may reduce histamine-induced inflammation. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Early studies report that tea tree oil may have activity against several fungal species. However, at this time there is not enough information to make conclusions for or against the use of tea tree oil on the skin for this condition.

 C


Early studies report that tea tree oil may have activity against several fungal species. However, at this time there is not enough information to make conclusions for or against the use of tea tree oil on the skin for this condition.

 C


Tea tree oil is used in mouthwash for dental and oral health. However, there is currently insufficient evidence in humans to make a conclusion for or against this use of tea tree oil. Tea tree oil can be toxic when taken by mouth and therefore should not be swallowed.

C


Tea tree oil is used in mouthwash for dental and oral health. However, there is currently insufficient evidence in humans to make a conclusion for or against this use of tea tree oil. Tea tree oil can be toxic when taken by mouth and therefore should not be swallowed.

C


Early research reports that the use of 5% tea tree oil shampoo on mild-to-moderate dandruff may be effective and well tolerated. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

C


Early research reports that the use of 5% tea tree oil shampoo on mild-to-moderate dandruff may be effective and well tolerated. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

C


Study results on the effects of tea tree oil mouthwash on gum inflammation and plaque are mixed. Further research is needed before a strong conclusion can be drawn.

 C


Study results on the effects of tea tree oil mouthwash on gum inflammation and plaque are mixed. Further research is needed before a strong conclusion can be drawn.

 C


Early studies found that tea tree oil helped rid the eye area of an infection caused by ocular parasitic mites. Large, well-designed clinical trials are needed before a strong conclusion can be made.

C


Early studies found that tea tree oil helped rid the eye area of an infection caused by ocular parasitic mites. Large, well-designed clinical trials are needed before a strong conclusion can be made.

C


Although tea tree oil is thought to have activity against several fungus species, there is not enough information to make conclusions for or against the use of tea tree oil on the skin for this condition.

 C


Although tea tree oil is thought to have activity against several fungus species, there is not enough information to make conclusions for or against the use of tea tree oil on the skin for this condition.

 C


Laboratory studies show that tea tree oil has activity against some viruses, and it has been suggested that a tea tree gel may be useful as a treatment on the skin for genital herpes. However, there is currently not enough information to make a conclusion for or against this use of tea tree oil.

 C


Laboratory studies show that tea tree oil has activity against some viruses, and it has been suggested that a tea tree gel may be useful as a treatment on the skin for genital herpes. However, there is currently not enough information to make a conclusion for or against this use of tea tree oil.

 C


In early research, a gel with tea tree oil decreased symptoms of hemorrhoids. More studies are needed.

 C


In early research, a gel with tea tree oil decreased symptoms of hemorrhoids. More studies are needed.

 C


Early studies have found that tea tree alone or in combination with other agents may be effective against lice. However, large, well-designed trials are still needed before a strong conclusion can be made.

 C


Early studies have found that tea tree alone or in combination with other agents may be effective against lice. However, large, well-designed trials are still needed before a strong conclusion can be made.

 C


Laboratory studies report that tea tree oil has activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It has been proposed that using tea tree oil ointment in the nose and a tea tree wash on the body may treat colonization by these bacteria. However, there is currently not enough information from human studies to make conclusions for or against this use of tea tree oil.

 C


Laboratory studies report that tea tree oil has activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It has been proposed that using tea tree oil ointment in the nose and a tea tree wash on the body may treat colonization by these bacteria. However, there is currently not enough information from human studies to make conclusions for or against this use of tea tree oil.

 C


A study comparing tea tree oil and iodine in treating children with Molluscum contagiosum, a viral skin infection, showed that both tea tree oil alone and iodine alone lacked a significant effect on the number of infected areas; however when iodine and tea tree oil were used together, the amount of skin infected areas significantly decreased. Tea tree oil may be effective for human papilloma virus (HPV) warts as supported by a lower-quality human study. Further studies are required for a conclusion to be reached.

 C


A study comparing tea tree oil and iodine in treating children with Molluscum contagiosum, a viral skin infection, showed that both tea tree oil alone and iodine alone lacked a significant effect on the number of infected areas; however when iodine and tea tree oil were used together, the amount of skin infected areas significantly decreased. Tea tree oil may be effective for human papilloma virus (HPV) warts as supported by a lower-quality human study. Further studies are required for a conclusion to be reached.

 C


In laboratory studies, tea tree oil has been shown to kill fungus and yeast such as Candida albicans. However, there is not enough information available from human studies to make conclusions for or against this use of tea tree oil. Tea tree oil can be toxic when taken by mouth and therefore should not be swallowed.

 C


In laboratory studies, tea tree oil has been shown to kill fungus and yeast such as Candida albicans. However, there is not enough information available from human studies to make conclusions for or against this use of tea tree oil. Tea tree oil can be toxic when taken by mouth and therefore should not be swallowed.

 C


In laboratory studies, tea tree oil has been shown to kill yeast and certain bacteria. However, there is not enough information available from human studies to make conclusions for or against this use of tea tree oil for vaginal infections. Although tea tree oil may reduce itching caused by yeast or bacteria, it may cause itching from dry skin or allergy.

 C


In laboratory studies, tea tree oil has been shown to kill yeast and certain bacteria. However, there is not enough information available from human studies to make conclusions for or against this use of tea tree oil for vaginal infections. Although tea tree oil may reduce itching caused by yeast or bacteria, it may cause itching from dry skin or allergy.

 C


Tea tree oil has been studied for its ability to absorb odors and to be used in the dressing of wounds. In lower-quality human studies of non-healing wounds, the addition of tea tree oil to the treatment resulted in the healing of the wound. Further research is needed for conclusions to be reached.

 C


Tea tree oil has been studied for its ability to absorb odors and to be used in the dressing of wounds. In lower-quality human studies of non-healing wounds, the addition of tea tree oil to the treatment resulted in the healing of the wound. Further research is needed for conclusions to be reached.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Due to reports of severe side effects, it is strongly recommended that tea tree oil not be taken by mouth. Although tea tree oil solution has been used as a mouthwash, it should not be swallowed. In addition, there is no proven effective dose of tea tree oil.
For dental plague/gingivitis, 2.5% tea tree oil has been used to brush teeth twice daily for eight weeks.
For acne, 5% tea tree oil as a gel has been applied to the skin once daily for three months or twice daily for 20 minutes, then washed off, for 45 days.
For allergic skin reactions, 25-120 microliters of 20-100% tea tree oil has been applied to the affected areas of the skin.
For dandruff, 5% tea tree oil shampoo has been applied to the scalp for three minutes daily, prior to a rinse, for four weeks.
For eye infections, 50% tea tree oil has been used as a weekly eyelid scrub or tea tree shampoo has been used a daily eyelid scrub for six weeks.
For methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a 4% tea tree oil nasal ointment and a 5% tea tree oil body wash has been used for an unspecified duration. A 10% tea tree cream has been applied to the nostrils three times daily for five days followed by a 5% tea tree body wash used on the body for a minimum of once daily for five days. A 10% tea tree cream was applied to skin wounds and lesions as an alternative to the body wash. A 3.3% tea tree oil water-mixture has been used during each wound cleaning and dressing change.
For fungal nail infections, 100% tea tree oil has been applied to the affected areas twice daily for six months.
For genital herpes, a 6% tea tree oil gel has been applied to the affected skin five times daily.
For thrush, an alcohol-based or alcohol-free tea tree solution has been used four times daily as a mouthwash for 2-4 weeks. For denture inflammation, one milliliter of tea tree oil has been added to the standard treatment of a five milliliter dose of Coe-ComfortT tissue conditioner; this mixture has been used by mouth. Daily treatment information is unknown, but it has been used for 12 days.
For athlete's foot, 10% tea tree oil has been applied to the affected area twice daily after washing and drying feet. A 25-50% tea tree oil solution has been applied to the affected area twice daily for up to four weeks.
For vaginal infections, a 20% solution of tea tree oil has been applied by using a tea tree soaked tampon for 24 hours. A dose of 200 milligrams of tea tree oil vaginal pessaries in a vegetable oil base has been used daily for five days.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Tea tree oil may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be altered in the blood, and alter the intended effects. People taking any medications should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Tea tree oil may also interact with agents for cancer, agents for parasite infections, agents for the skin, agents for worm infections, agents that affect the nervous system, agents that affect the blood, agents that decrease immune function, anti-acne agents, antibiotics, antifungals, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral agents, dental agents, hormonal agents, insect repellants, skin drying agents, Tween20/Tween80, and vancomycin.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Barker SC and Altman PM. An ex vivo, assessor blind, randomised, parallel group, comparative efficacy trial of the ovicidal activity of three pediculicides after a single application--melaleuca oil and lavender oil, eucalyptus oil and lemon tea tree oil, and a "suffocation" pediculicide. BMC.Dermatol. 2011;11:14.
Brady AJ, Farnan TB, Toner JG, et al. Treatment of a cochlear implant biofilm infection: a potential role for alternative antimicrobial agents. J Laryngol.Otol. 2010;124(7):729-738.
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Edmondson M, Newall N, Carville K, et al. Uncontrolled, open-label, pilot study of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil solution in the decolonisation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus positive wounds and its influence on wound healing. Int Wound.J 2011;8(4):375-384.
Goes TC, Antunes FD, Alves PB, et al. Effect of sweet orange aroma on experimental anxiety in humans. J Altern.Complement Med. 2012;18(8):798-804.
Joksimovic N, Spasovski G, Joksimovic V, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of hyaluronic acid, tea tree oil and methyl-sulfonyl-methane in a new gel medical device for treatment of haemorrhoids in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Updates.Surg. 2012;64(3):195-201.
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