Tea Tree Oil & Skin Growths

Oct 27, 2010 | By LMWolfe

If you have a skin growth, especially a cancerous one, many treatment options are available to you. Tea tree oil has been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors that were resistant to chemotherapy. Tea tree oil is considered a home remedy. You can purchase this alternative treatment at a health food store. Speak with your doctor about the best choices for your body before trying any home remedies.

History

Tea tree, or melaleuca, oil comes from the melaleuca tree. The oil is found in the leaves of the tree and is obtained through a distillation process.

Uses

In his book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," James. F. Balch, M.D., writes that tea tree oil can be used to disinfect cuts and scrapes, heal acne, alleviate athlete's foot, soothe earaches, relieve the pain from insect bites and shrink warts.

Research

The University of Western Australia's School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences used tea tree oil to treat mice suffering from skin tumors. The mice were given four treatments a day for 10 days. The results were inhibited tumour growth. These tumors had been resistant to chemotherapy.

Cautions

Tea tree oil should not be ingested internally. It is to be used as a topical treatment only. Most oils should be diluted in a carrier such as almond oil before being applied to the skin. Researchers at the University of Western Australia report that skin inflammation is common when using melaleuca oil but that the skin recovered quickly.

Safety

Tea tree oil is a safe, alternative solution for skin growths. As long as you do not ingest it internally, the oil is safe for use on the skin. If skin irritation occurs, it should clear up on its own just with decreased use. Be sure to seek your doctor's guidance before using this remedy.