A single whiff of tea tree oil, with its strident, medicinal aroma, is alone testament to this herbal's antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. The University of Michigan Health System states that most of the time, tea tree oil is safe to put on your skin. But tailored into the description of tea tree oil as presented by the Natural Standard are an abundance of "ifs" that suggest it might not be safe to use by everyone. Tea tree oil can be harmful when used improperly or taken internally--you also might be one of the unlucky few who responds to tea tree oil with a blistering rash.
Types
Tea tree oil is found in a variety of consumer products, from soaps and shampoos to toothpastes and acne treatments. Derived from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, an evergreen native to Australia, tea tree oil has traditionally been used to prevent and treat infection, according to the National Institutes of Health. As a complementary therapy, tea tree oil can be used in dental and burn care.
Potential Reactions
Any herbal and botanical topical treatment can invoke a nasty allergic reaction, and tea tree oil is no exception. The Mayo Clinic defers to numerous reports of undesirable reactions to the oil that range from mild contact dermatitis to more severe blisters. You're more likely to experience an allergic reaction to tea tree oil if you're sensitive to myrtle, balsam or benzoin. Many tea tree oil products contain eucalyptol, which can also cause an allergic response. Your rash might be more severe if you have a skin condition such as eczema, says the clinic. Tea tree oil also can irritate the mouth and eyes and should not be used inside the ears. The Mayo Clinic indicates that animal studies using 100 percent tea tree oil resulted in hearing loss.
Toxicity
Tea tree oil should never be ingested orally, cautions the National Institutes of Health, due to reports of the oil's toxicity. Consuming even a small amount of tea tree oil can result in dire consequences, says the Mayo Clinic, such as nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, rash, lethargy, unsteady gait, confusion and even coma. Tea tree oil might be found in mouthwash, says the clinic, although there's no evidence that it works for bad breath. If your dental care products contain tea tree oil, make sure to spit, not swallow.
Other Cautions
Tea tree oil might have odd and very undesirable side effects. According to the University of Michigan Health System, a 2007 study published in the "New England Journal of Medicine" revealed that boys who regularly used tea tree oil experienced gyncomastia, or swelling of the breasts. Tea tree oil has not been extensively studied in pregnant and nursing women and children, says the NIH, so it's not recommended for use by these populations.
Effectiveness
When used externally, tea tree oil might be perfectly harmless. Problematic, however, is that many of the applications for which it is suggested might not be beneficial. The NIH cites acne, athlete's foot, fungal nail infections, dandruff, vaginal infections, genital herpes and thrush as some of the conditions for which there is insufficient evidence to support tea tree oil as an effective treatment. Consult your doctor before using tea tree oil for any medical condition or if you notice harmful side effects after use, advises the NIH.
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