Tea tree oil, an essential oil steam-distilled from the leaves of an Australian tree in the myrtle family, is used on the skin for cuts, minor burns, athlete's foot and insect bites. It may also be useful for bacterial or fungal skin infections. It should not be eaten, however, because it is toxic.
Toxic Effects
Even small amounts of tea tree oil can cause severe reactions when swallowed. The American Cancer Society reports that the oil can cause hallucinations, coma, unsteadiness, weakness, vomiting, blood-cell abnormalities and severe rashes. People using tea tree oil by mouth have also developed abdominal pain, diarrhea, inflammation at the corners of the mouth, depressed immune-system function, nerve damage, drowsiness or confusion.
Safe Oral Uses
Tea tree oil can be added to a vaporizer so that the mist can be inhaled to sooth the symptoms of colds and other respiratory illnesses. Because of its antiseptic properties, the oil is also used in mouthwash to promote dental and oral health. One small study found that using mouthwashes containing tea tree oil for two to four weeks cured or improved thrush---an oral yeast infection---in 60 percent of AIDS patients treated . Tea tree solutions used in the mouth should contain no more than 5 percent of the oil and should never be swallowed. Unpleasant taste, burning sensation and bad breath have been reported by people using tea tree oil by mouth.
External Use
Tea tree oil has a long history of use in Australia for skin infections and has become popular for this and other external uses throughout the world. It appears to be fairly effective against bacterial and fungal infections of the skin and nails, such as ringworm and dandruff, and for parasitic infestations with lice, mites or scabies. Tea tree oil can be dissolved in water or used at full strength. It can also be found in commercially available ointments, creams, lotions, and soaps. If you are using the oil to treat infections and skin conditions, apply it directly to the skin using a cotton swab or ball.
Cautions
Use a small amount at of tea tree oil the first time you apply it, especially if you are using the oil full strength, because it can cause allergic reactions such as rashes and itching. Tea tree oil can be used safely as an antiseptic on minor cuts and scrapes, but be careful using it on larger areas of broken skin or on rashes that are not caused by fungus. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth and other sensitive areas until you have washed your hands; contact with the oil may burn.
Use on Animals
Although tea tree oil is sometimes recommended to deter ticks and fleas, it should never be used full-strength on children or pets, who may ingest it accidentally by licking or grooming the treated areas. Cats in particular are vulnerable because they are likely to ingest a high dose during grooming. In animals, the oil can cause depression, weakness, poor coordination and muscle tremors. Toxicity and several deaths have been reported in cats and other animals who ingested the oil.
References
- American Cancer Society: Tea Tree Oil
- "HIV Clinical Trials"; Efficacy of alcohol-based and alcohol-free melaleuca oral solution for the treatment of fluconazole-refractory oropharyngeal candidiasis in patients with AIDS; JA Vazquez, AA Zawawi; Sept/Oct 2002.
- MedLine Plus, National Library of Medicine
- "Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation"; Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil poisoning in three purebred cats; K. Bischoff and Fessesswork Guale; April 1998.
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