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Tea Tree Oil
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.
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.
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.
Specifically,
tea tree oil may help to:
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.
- suppository
- oil
- gel
- cream
Special tip:
--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.
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.
Be sure to check
out our Dosage Recommendations
Chart for Tea Tree Oil, which
lists therapeutic dosages for
specific ailments at a glance.
When buying a topical antifungal preparation advertised
to contain tea–tree oil, make sure
the oil is from M. alternifolia
and is one of the first ingredients
listed.
Tea tree oil is
found in various skin-care and
beauty products (shampoos, soaps,
and so on) but often in amounts so
minuscule that it provides virtually
no antibacterial effect. To learn if
a particular product can produce the
benefits of tea tree oil, request
information from the manufacturer
about studies supporting such a
claim.
Some toothpastes
contain tea tree oil. However,
because the oil is dangerous if
swallowed, only very small amounts
are included. This makes the
products safe, but essentially
nullifies any bacteria-fighting
benefits they claim to have.
There are no known
drug or nutrient interactions
associated with tea tree oil.
Tea tree oil can irritate sensitive skin, especially in
the vaginal area. It can also prompt
an allergic reaction in some people.
As a safety precaution, dab a small
amount on your inner arm with a
cotton swab before using the oil or
a product that contains it. If you
are allergic, your arm will quickly
become red or inflamed.
Never ingest tea tree oil. It is for external use only,
and should never be applied around
the eyes.
If you
accidentally ingest the oil,
immediately contact a doctor or a
poison control center.
Consult your
doctor before replacing any
prescription medications with tea
tree oil.
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Ailments
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Dosage
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Acne |
Apply a
drop or two to each acne
lesion 3 times a day.
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Athlete's
Foot |
Apply oil
or cream to affected
areas twice a day and/or
use as a footbath.
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Cuts and
Scrapes |
Apply
cream to wound 3 times a
day in place of aloe or
lavender oil.
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Insect Bites
and Stings |
Apply 1
drop of oil to skin
several times a day, or
as needed.
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Warts |
Put
several drops on a
compress. Use overnight
until the wart heals.
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