Tea tree oil
Scientific names: Melaleuca alternifolia
Family: Myrtaceae
Alternate names: Aceite del Árbol de Té, Australian Tea Tree Oil, Huile de Melaleuca, Huile de Théier, Huile de Théier Australien, Huile Essentielle de Théier, Melaleuca Essential Oil, Melaleuca Oil, Oil of Melaleuca, Oleum Melaleucae, Tea Tree, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Ti Tree Oil
Actions: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-lice, Antiviral, Hormonal
Background
Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). It grows in the swampy southeast Australian coast.
The tea tree was named by eighteenth century sailors, who made tea that smelled like nutmeg from the leaves of the tree. The chemicals in tea tree oil might kill bacteria, fungus, and mites, and reduce allergic skin reactions by decreasing swelling.
People use tea tree oil for acne, toenail fungus, and athlete's foot. It's also used for dandruff, lice, bad breath, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its other uses.
Do not confuse the tea tree with the unrelated common tea plant that is used to make black and green teas.
The tea tree was named by eighteenth century sailors, who made tea that smelled like nutmeg from the leaves of the tree. The chemicals in tea tree oil might kill bacteria, fungus, and mites, and reduce allergic skin reactions by decreasing swelling.
People use tea tree oil for acne, toenail fungus, and athlete's foot. It's also used for dandruff, lice, bad breath, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its other uses.
Do not confuse the tea tree with the unrelated common tea plant that is used to make black and green teas.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Tea tree oil is likely unsafe; don't take tea tree oil by mouth. Taking tree tea oil by mouth has caused serious side effects, including confusion, inability to walk, unsteadiness, rash, and coma.
When applied to the skin: Tea tree oil is possibly safe for most people. It may cause skin irritation and swelling. In people with acne, it can sometimes cause skin dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness.
Children: Tea tree oil is likely unsafe when taken by mouth. It has caused serious side effects, including confusion, inability to walk, unsteadiness, rash, and coma. Applying tea tree oil to the skin is possibly safe. It may cause skin irritation and swelling. In people with acne, it can sometimes cause skin dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness.
Cross-reactions: Applying tea tree oil might cause skin itching and burning in people with allergies to other plants.
When applied to the skin: Tea tree oil is possibly safe for most people. It may cause skin irritation and swelling. In people with acne, it can sometimes cause skin dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness.
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.Children: Tea tree oil is likely unsafe when taken by mouth. It has caused serious side effects, including confusion, inability to walk, unsteadiness, rash, and coma. Applying tea tree oil to the skin is possibly safe. It may cause skin irritation and swelling. In people with acne, it can sometimes cause skin dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness.
Cross-reactions: Applying tea tree oil might cause skin itching and burning in people with allergies to other plants.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Acne. Applying a tea tree oil 5% gel appears to work as well as benzoyl peroxide 5% for treating acne. Tea tree oil might work more slowly than benzoyl peroxide, but seems to be less irritating to the face. When applied twice daily for 45 days, tea tree oil can reduce acne severity.
- Toenail fungus (onychomycosis). Applying 100% tea tree oil solution to the skin twice daily for 6 months can cure fungal toenail infections in 1 out of 5 people who try it. It can also improve nail appearance and symptoms in 2 out of 3 people after 3-6 months. It seems to work about as well as clotrimazole 1% solution twice daily. But lower concentrations of tea tree oil do not seem to work.
- Athlete's foot (Tinea pedis). Applying a tea tree oil 10% cream works about as well as tolnaftate 1% cream for improving symptoms of athlete's foot. But the tea tree oil cream doesn't seem to cure the infection. Applying a stronger tea tree oil solution (25% or 50%) can help to clear up the infection in about half of people who try it for 4 weeks. But this higher concentration doesn't work as well as standard treatments, such as clotrimazole or terbinafine.
Dosing & administration
Tea tree oil has most commonly been used by adults in gels, shampoos, body washes, mouth rinses, sprays, and creams in concentrations ranging from 5% to 50%. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Tea Tree Oil interacts with any medicines. Before taking Tea Tree Oil, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 07/12/2023 11:00:00 and last updated on 08/07/2014 21:28:01. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
