According to Dr. Michael Chillemi, coauthor of the book "The Complete Herbal Guide," tea tree oil is an essential oil that is second in popularity only to lavender. Praised by many alternative healthcare practitioners, tea tree oil can ease a range of bothersome health conditions. You should talk to your doctor before using this natural treatment, especially if you have sensitive skin or a history of allergies.
The Basics
Distilled from the leaves of Australia's tea tree plant, or Melaleuca alternifolia, tea tree oil is a powerful essential oil often used as a topical antimicrobial treatment for various skin and fungal conditions. The National Institutes of Health states that the active compound responsible for these antimicrobial properties is most likely terpinen-4-ol.
The yellow-tinged liquid is toxic when ingested full-strength. It is commonly used as a topical treatment or gargle solution. Tea tree oil is generally diluted, often to a 5 or 10 percent solution.
History
According to Jonny Bowden, a nationally acclaimed medical writer and author of the book "The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth," the aboriginal people of Australia used tea tree oil for centuries to treat various health problems, including scratches, cuts and skin infections.
In its simplest form of use, the native inhabitants supposedly collected the needle-like leaves from the tree, crushing them and rubbing them across their skin to spread the oils over the affected area.
Uses
Today we use tea tree oil to treat a wide range of health conditions. Dr. Chillemi states that the varied therapeutic properties of tea tree oil may indicate its use not only as an anti-fungal, but also as an antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, expectorant and insecticide.
Conditions that people use tea tree oil for include abscesses, burns, bruises, canker sores, dermatitis, eczema, insect bites or stings, mouth sores, muscle pain, ringworm, psoriasis, warts and scabies, according to the NIH. Talk to your doctor before attempting to use tea tree oil to treat these or any other conditions.
Studies
Various studies examine the effects of tea tree oil as a treatment on different medical conditions but conclusive evidence is lacking. The National Institutes of Health notes that most studies focus on the use of tea tree oil to treat fungal infections, namely athlete's foot and nail infections, as well as acne and vaginal infections.
Although results indicate tea tree oil has promise as a treatment for these ailments, most studies lack adequate sample size or have other limiting control factors that make the results less authoritative. The NIH states that additional studies must be done before it can recommend using tea tree oil as a treatment for these conditions.
Side Effects
In certain instances, using tea tree oil as a natural treatment may result in side effects, especially if you're allergic to the oil. According to the NIH, possible skin reactions include mild rashes, itching and redness, as well as more severe blisters.
Taking tea tree oil orally often results in more serious side effects, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, lack of coordination when walking and even coma. The NIH does not recommend using tea tree oil orally, or as a treatment in children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
References
- The Complete Herbal Guide"; Dr. Michael Chillemi & Stacey Chillemi; 2007
- National Institutes of Health: Tea Tree Oil
- "The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth"; Jonny Bowden; 2008
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