The tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, is native to the northeastern coast of New South Wales. The evidence for the benefits of tea tree oil on cysts is unclear, according to MedlinePlus, and many people have reported adverse effects from its use. MedlinePlus warns that you should never take tea tree oil internally, and that topical use may cause allergic reactions ranging from mild skin irritation to contact dermatitis.
Antimicrobial Effects
Sebaceous cysts, often associated with acne, form when a hair follicle becomes blocked and infected. According to a study published in the October 1995 issue of "Letters in Applied Microbiology, " tea tree oil is an effective antimicrobial against three bacteria that scientists believe contribute to infections associated with acne: Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes. The study isolated four constituents of tea tree oil and tested each against the three bacteria. Three of the four were effective against all three strains of bacteria.
Fewer Side Effects
Tea tree oil may have fewer and less severe side effects than benzoyl peroxide treatments for acne and cysts. Three researchers at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown, Australia compared the effects of 5 percent tea tree oil gel with the effects of 5 percent benzoyl peroxide to treat moderate acne in 124 adolescent patients. The researchers concluded that both benzoyl peroxide and tea tree oil effectively treat acne lesions, including cysts. While benzoyl peroxide acts more quickly, patients treated with tea tree oil reported less itching, scaly skin and dryness than those treated with benzoyl peroxide.
A similar 2007 study conducted at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, also found that 5 percent tea tree oil was considerably more effective in clearing up acne cysts and lesions than a placebo. The study, published in the "Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology," did not note side effects, however.
Evidence and Research
Much of the evidence for the beneficial effects of tea tree oil is anecdotal, according to a systematic review of the literature and research on tea tree oil. Researchers E. Ernst and A. Huntley of the University of Exeter found only four clinical trials of tea tree oil that met the inclusion criteria for the review. The remaining research fell short on methodology or quality. The 2000 review, published in a German journal of complementary and natural medicine, concluded that research was promising but inconclusive, and warrants further investigation.
References
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook"; James A. Duke, Ph.D.; 2001
- "Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd"; Tea Tree Oil: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Clinical Trials; E. Ernst, A. Huntley; February 2000
- "Letters in Applied Microbiology"; Antimicrobial Effects Of Tea-Tree Oil And Its Major Components On Staphylococcus Aureus, Staph. Epidermidis And Propionibacterium Acnes; A. Raman, et al.; October 1995
- "Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology"; The Efficacy Of 5% Topical Tea Tree Oil Gel In Mild To Moderate Acne Vulgaris: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study; S. Enshaieh ,et al.; Jan-Feb 2007
- "Medical Journal of Australia"; A Comparative Study Of Tea-Tree Oil Versus Benzoylperoxide In The Treatment Of Acne; I.B. Bassett, et al.; Oct. 15, 1990
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