Tea Tree Oil - The Natural Antiseptic

Tea tree oil is a clear to very pale golden color essential oil with a fresh camphor-like odor. It is taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia which is native to the northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia.

The oil has beneficial medical properties (including antiseptic and antifungal action), and is also believed to have beneficial cosmetic properties.

The term "tea tree oil" is also somewhat of a misnomer since Melaleuca alternifolia is a paperbark rather than a tea tree (genus Leptospermum).

The native Bundjalung people of eastern Australia use the leaves as a traditional medicine by inhaling the oils from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds. They also sprinkle them on wounds, after which a poultice is applied. In addition, the leaves are soaked to make an infusion to treat sore throats or skin ailments.

Use of the oil itself, as opposed to using the leaves did not become common practice until researcher Arthur Penfold published the first reports of its antimicrobial activity in a series of papers in the 1920s and 1930s.

Tea tree oil is used almost exclusively externally. A small number of people experience allergic contact dermatitis as a reaction to dermal contact with it.

Tea tree oil is applied topically as an anti-infective agent. It has been shown effective for bacterial infections (such as acne), fungal infections (such as athlete's foot), and viral infections (such as cold sores).

It contains chemicals known as terpenes, which may damage or kill infectious organisms, while having little or no negative effect on bacteria that normally live on the skin.

Because itis generally non-irritating, it is also used to relieve mild burns, insect bites, sunburn, and other relatively minor skin conditions.

Toothpastes and mouthwashes containing tea tree oil are shown to be effective for a number of oral problems. Some of these include halitosis (bad breath), gum disease, and canker sores. In studies of patients who suffered from oral candidiasis, a fungal infection of the mouth and throat, mouth rinses containing tea tree oil have shown some effectiveness in reducing symptoms. In dentistry, it has been used to kill bacteria in the mouth before dental surgery and to relieve mouth soreness caused by dental procedures.

It has also been included in vaginal suppositories to treat vaginal infections.

Steam produced when tea tree oil is added to boiling water, nebulizers, or hot baths may be inhaled to relieve nose, throat, and lung irritation.

It may also be included in dandruff shampoos.

There is some limited research that has shown that tea tree oil may have anti-viral activity, especially with the Herpes virus (cold sores,chicken pox and shingles blisters, warts, etc.)

The concentration of tea tree oil in various commercial preparations ranges from about 1% to 100%. Often, the stronger products are used for hard-to-treat infections such as toenail fungus, while 5% to 10% gels have been used successfully to treat acne.

Commonly used dosages and durations include:

For fungal infections of fingernails or toenails: 100% twice a day for 6 months
For athlete's foot: 10% twice a day for one month
For acne: 5% once a day indefinitely
For oral candidiasis: one tablespoonful of 5% solution as a mouth wash that is held in the mouth and then spit out four times a day for up to 4 weeks

Risks

Tea tree oil should not be taken by mouth due to possible toxicity. It should not be used in the ears because it may cause hearing loss. In addition, individuals who are sensitive to it may develop an allergic rash.

Interactions

No interactions have been identified between tea tree oil and prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, other herbal products or foods. However, not all interactions may be known.

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05/04/2008

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Tea Tree Oil and Its Benefits