Benefits Of Using Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil comes from a tree native to Australia called Melaleuca alternifolia. The oil has a long history of medicinal use and is one of the most widely available and well-studied phytochemicals. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, the benefits of tea tree oil stem from its activity against bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Antibacterial Benefits

Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties when applied to the skin. The Mayo Clinic states that the oil works against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and may prevent colonization of MRSA bacteria when used as an ointment or body wash. Tea tree oil may also help treat and prevent vaginal infections and is effective against both Pseudomnas aeruginosa and Escherischia coli, according to Target Woman. A study published in the March 2010 issue of the Journal of Applied Microbiology states that tea tree oil inhibits group A streptococcus skin damage and death in mice and potentially provides the same benefit to humans.

Anti-fungal Benefits

The anti-fungal properties of tea tree oil make it effective against several fungal species and helpful in the treatment of nail fungus and athlete's foot, according to the Mayo Clinic. In fact, tea tree oil proved effective against all of 58 fungal isolates tested, except for one strain of Epidermophyton floccosum, in a study published in the 1998 Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Shampoos containing 5 percent tea tree oil also help clear mild to moderate dandruff, and the oil shows promise as a treatment for thrush caused by Candida albicans. Tea tree oil is toxic when ingested, however, which limits its use against oral thrush.

Anti-viral Benefits

Tea tree oil has long been used as an anti-viral against such common ailments as colds, chickenpox and flu, and the Mayo Clinic states it may be effective against a variety of viruses, including those that cause genital herpes. The oil may also help speed recovery from viral warts and prevent the spreading of warts from one area of the body to another. It is also beneficial against cold sores when applied at full strength every day, according to Herbs Place.

Anti-inflammatory Benefits

One of the most significant benefits of tea tree oil is its anti-inflammatory properties. The oil is effective at improving inflamed acne lesions, according to the Mayo Clinic, and it reduces histamine-induced inflammation when applied to the skin. Tea tree oil may also help psoriasis, eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions, encourage burn healing, and reduce the itching and inflammation associated with insect bites and stings. Herbs Place recommends applying diluted tea tree oil to sunburn to reduce pain, blistering and peeling.

Other Benefits

Tea tree oil may help reduce joint and muscle pain when used during massage, according to Target Woman, and helps promote healing and reduce scarring due to its cicatrizant (wound-healing) properties. The Mayo Clinic states that the oil also helps eliminate ocular parasitic mites from the eye area. A topical solution of 10 percent tea tree oil is an effective treatment against lice infestations, according to the National Pediculosis Association. Inhaling tea tree oil vapors may relieve bronchial and sinus congestion, and the oil potentially boosts the immune system, according to the American Cancer Society.