Tea tree oil is extracted from a tree native to Australia, called the Melaleuca alternifolia. It has been used for centuries by the natives of Australia to treat skin abnormalities and injuries, such as acne, burns, cuts and fungal infections. It has known antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties. Some add it to bath water to help treat bronchial congestion and pulmonary inflammation. It is toxic when swallowed, however, and should never be used internally. If you have an allergy to other plants in the myrtle family, such as eucalyptus, guava, clove or allspice, you may be at greater risk for an allergic reaction to tea tree oil.
Terpinen-4-ol
Standardized tea tree oil should have greater than 30 percent terpinen-4-ol, according to Drugs.com. The higher the percentage of terpinen-4-ol in your tea tree oil, the higher the quality of the product. This is the chemical constituent of tea tree oil that is believed to have most of the antimicrobial activity. Researchers from Australia have found that only the terpinen-4-ol of the water-soluble components in tea tree oil will suppress the inflammatory response in cells activated by monocytes. This means that it is this chemical that has the greatest anti-inflammatory properties against the cells in the body which first respond to injury.
Terpinen-4-ol also appears to inhibit the growth of human melanoma cells in a test tube. Lead researcher Annarica Calcabrini published the team's findings in a 2004 issue of the "Journal of Investigative Dermatology." They found that the terpinen-4-ol was able to impair the growth of human melanoma cells.
1,8-Cineole
Tea tree oil products should contain less than 10 percent cineole, according to Drugs.com. This is the ingredient that can cause irritation to the skin and internal CNS toxicity. This chemical is a colorless liquid that is "stable, flammable and incompatible with acids, bases and strong oxidizing agents," according to the Material Data Safety Sheet. It is harmful if ingested.
Pinene
Pinene, an organic compound, is a major component in tea tree oil and responsible for its pine odor, according to the University of Minnesota Biocatalysis and Biodegradation Database. It is a member of the terpenes family of chemicals and is widely used in medicines to treat acne as well as in deodorants and some flavorings in small amounts.
References
- Drugs.com: Tea Tree Oil
- "Inflammatory Research"; Terpinen-4-ol, the Main Component of the Essential Oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil), Suppresses Inflammatory Mediator Production by Activated Human Monocytes; PH Hart, C Brand, CF Carson, et al.; November 2000
- "Journal of Investigative Dermatology"; Terpinen-4-ol, the Main Component of Melaleuca alternifolia Oil Inhibits the Growth of Human Melanoma Cells; Annarica Calcabrini, Annarita Stringaro, Laura Toccacieli et al.; 2004
- Material Safety Data Sheet: 1,8-Cineole
- University of Minnesota Biocatalysis and Biodegradation Database: Alpha-Pinene Pathway
Member Comments