A potent antiseptic used to combat harmful bacteria and fungal infections.
Research indicates that Tea Tree Oil may:
- Disinfect and promote the healing of cuts and scrapes
- Minimize scarring
- Speed recovery from bug or spider bites and stings, including bee stings
- Fight athlete’s foot, jock itch, fungal nail infections, and vaginal infections
What is Tea Tree Oil?
For centuries, Australian aborigines relied on the leaves of the tea tree to fight infections. A champion infection fighter, tea tree oil has a pleasant nutmeg-like scent. It comes from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, or tea tree, a species that grows only in Australia (and is completely different from the Camellia species used to make black, oolong, and green drinking teas). Extracted through a steam-distillation process, quality tea tree oil contains at least 40% terpinen-4-ol -- the active ingredient that is responsible for its healing effects -- and less than 5% cineole, a substance that is believed to counteract the medicinal properties of the oil. With the rise of antibiotics after World War II, tea tree oil fell out of favor. Recently, interest in it has revived, and more than 700 tons are now produced annually.
What does Tea Tree Oil do?
Tea tree oil is used topically to treat a variety of common infections. Once applied to the skin, the oil makes it impossible for many disease-causing fungi to survive. Several studies have shown that it fights various bacteria as well, including some that are resistant to powerful antibiotics. Experts think one reason tea tree oil is so effective is that it readily mixes with skin oils, allowing it to attack the infective agent quickly and actively.
Tea tree oil’s antiseptic properties are especially useful for treating cuts and scrapes, as well as insect bites and stings. The oil promotes healing of minor wounds, helps prevent infection, and minimizes any future scarring.
As an antifungal agent, tea tree oil fights the fungus Trichophyton, the culprit in athlete’s foot, jock itch, and some nail infections. It may also be effective against Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis, two of the organisms that cause vaginal infections. Unfortunately, some fungal infections can be stubborn to treat; in these cases, your doctor may have to prescribe a more potent conventional antifungal medication.
Tea tree oil may also be beneficial in the treatment of acne. In one study, a gel containing 5% tea tree oil was shown to be as effective against acne as a lotion with 5% benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in most over-the-counter acne medications. But there were fewer side effects with tea tree oil: It caused less scaling, dryness, and itching than the benzoyl peroxide formula. Another study found that a solution containing 0.5% tea tree oil offered protection against Pityrosporum ovale, a common dandruff-causing fungus. Sometimes tea tree oil is suggested as a treatment for warts, which are caused by viruses, though studies have not confirmed this use.
Item #T8088