While numerous species of papery bark Australian and Asian trees carry the name tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia is the source of health-supportive tea tree oil. This evergreen shrub is native to the swamps and woodlands of Western Australia. Its feathery leaves and white spring flowers make it a popular landscaping plant, while the oil is useful in personal care products and medicinal preparations.
History
For thousands of years, Australian aborigines have used tea tree leaves to treat minor wounds and oil to ease pain and colds. Tradition holds that in 1770, the botanist on Captain James Cook's ship named this species tea tree after using the tree's leaves in place of tea. In 1922, Australian researcher Arthur Penfold demonstrated that the oil was both safer and more effective than any antiseptic then in use. During World War II, the Australian army issued the oil to soldiers as a treatment for infection and skin fungi.
Active Compounds
Tea tree oil is rich in terpenoids such as terpinen-4-ol, eucalyptol, cineole, nerolidol and viridiflorol as well as several phenylpropanoids. The oil's high terpinen-4-ol content is likely the primarily reason its antimicrobial activity. Eucalyptol, or 1,8-cineol, also has antiseptic properties. Terpinen-4-ol and eucalyptol also contribute to tea tree oil's strong scent.
Benefits
A strong antiseptic and antifungal, tea tree oil is effective against acne, oral thrush, dandruff and cold sores. A 5 percent tea tree oil solution healed acne almost as well as benzoyl peroxide, found a study published in the "Medical Journal of Australia" in October 1990. The oil worked more slowly, but caused fewer side effects. A 5 percent tea tree shampoo reduced dandruff flaking, a 2002 study from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, in Camperdown, Australia discovered. Tea tree oil soothes athlete's foot symptoms, like itching, but doesn't eliminate the infection.
Use
Choose tea tree oil that contains more than 30 percent terpinen-4-ol and less than 10 percent cineole. The ideal terpinen-4-ol content is between 40 to 50 percent. Treat nail or skin fungi with a 70 percent tea tree oil solution twice daily. For acne, apply a 5 to 15 percent solution. To reduce dandruff, use a commercial tea tree oil shampoo or add a small amount of tea tree oil to your shampoo. Use these treatments for up to four weeks.
Warning
Apply tea tree oil topically only. Never swallow any amount of this oil. Ingesting tea tree oil may cause nerve damage. Tea tree oil may cause a rash in some people, so test your reaction by applying only a small amount. Don't use undiluted oil on infants or young children. Even 5 ml could be toxic. Avoid this oil if you're pregnant or allergic to any tree in the myrtle family, such as balsam of Peru. If you're allergic to eucalyptol, check the ingredients before buying tea tree oil preparations. Many contain it.
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