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Tea tree oil

What is tea tree oil?

Teatree oil is made from the leaves of the tea tree. The tea tree got its name from 18th century sailors who used the leaves of the tree, which grows on the swampy south-east coast of Australia, to make a tea that smelled like nutmeg. The tea tree should not be confused with the tea plant, which is used to make black and green tea. These two plants are not related. Tea tree oil is applied to the skin to treat infections such as acne, fungal infections of the nails, lice infestations, scabies, athlete's foot and bark lichen. It is also applied to the skin as a topical antiseptic for cuts and abrasions, burns, insect bites and stings, scalds, vaginal infections, recurrent herpes, toothache, mouth and nose infections, sore throats and ear infections. Some people add tea tree oil to bath water to treat coughs, bronchial congestion and pneumonia.

How effective is tea tree oil?

Tea tree oil may be effective for treating the following conditions

  • Athlete's foot: Applied to the skin, a 10% tea tree oil ointment works about as well as a Tolnaftate 1% cream when it comes to relieving athlete's foot symptoms such as flaking, inflammation, itching and burning. However, an ointment with 10% tea tree oil does not appear to cure the infection. This requires a tea tree oil solution in a concentration of 25 or 50%. Applying a tea tree oil solution at a concentration of 25 to 50% seems to both relieve the symptoms and cure the infection in 50% of people who use such a solution for 4 weeks. However, a tea tree oil solution at a concentration of 25 to 50% does not appear to be as effective as clotrimazole or terbinafine in curing the infection.
  • Fungal infections of the nails (nail fungus): Applying a 100% tea tree oil solution twice a day for 6 months can cure fungal infections of the toenails in about 18% of people who try this treatment. It can also improve the appearance of nails and relieve symptoms in about 56% of patients after three months and 60% of patients after six months of treatment. It appears to be comparable in effect to the daily use of a Clotrimazole 1% solution. Lower concentrations of tea tree oil appear to be less effective. For example, there is evidence that a tea tree oil cream containing 5% tea tree oil applied three times a day for 2 months has no benefits.
  • Mild to moderate acne: Applying a 5% tea tree oil gel appears to be as effective as 5% benzoyl peroxide in treating acne. While tea tree oil is slightly slower acting than benzoyl peroxide, it appears to be less irritating to facial skin.
  • Cold sores (herpes labialis). Scientific studies conducted to date suggest that applying 6% tea tree oil gel five times a day does not significantly alleviate cold sores.
  • Allergic skin reactions to nickel: Increasing evidence suggests that undiluted tea tree oil may reduce the area and redness of skin reactions in people who are allergic to contact with nickel.
  • Yeast infections around the skin and mouth in people suffering from AIDS (oropharyngeal candidiasis): Because people suffering from AIDS have weakened immune systems, they sometimes suffer from opportunistic infections such as oropharyngeal candidiasis. There is evidence that tea tree oil may be helpful in reducing symptoms in patients whose oropharyngeal candidiasis does not respond to standard medications such as fluconazole.
  • Vaginal infections: Some studies suggest that tea tree oil may be helpful for some bacterial vaginal infections.

There is not enough scientific data to evaluate the effectiveness of tea tree oil for the following conditions:

Other conditions and areas of use for which there is insufficient current research to conclude on the effectiveness of tea tree oil include ear infections, lice infestations, scabies, bark lichen, sore throats, coughs and congestion, burns, insect bites and stings and scalds, and prevention of infection in cuts and abrasions. Further scientific research is needed in this area.

How does tea tree oil work?

The chemicals in tea tree oil can kill bacteria and fungi and reduce allergic skin reactions.

Are there any safety concerns?

Tea tree oil is safe and harmless for most people when applied to the skin. However, it can cause skin irritation and swelling. For people who suffer from acne, tea tree oil can sometimes cause side effects such as dry skin, itching, stinging, burning and redness. Applying products to the skin that contain tea tree oil in combination with lavender oil may not be safe for boys who have not yet reached puberty. These products may have hormonal effects that can disrupt the normal hormonal processes in boys' bodies. In some cases, this has led to the development of abnormal breast growth, also known as gynecomastia. Nothing is known about the safety of these products in young girls. Tea tree oil is not safe and harmless when taken orally. Tea tree oil should not be taken orally. As a rule of thumb, essential oils should never be taken orally undiluted due to the potential for serious side effects. Ingestion of tea tree oil can cause confusion, an inability to walk, unsteadiness, skin rash and coma.

Special precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tea tree oil appears to be safe when applied to the skin. However, it should not be taken orally as it can be toxic.

Are there any drug interactions?

It is not known whether tea tree oil interacts with medications. For this reason, you should speak to your doctor before using tea tree oil if you are taking medication.

Are there any interactions with medicinal herbs or supplements?

There are no known interactions with medicinal herbs or supplements

Are there any interactions with food?

There are no known interactions with food.

Dosage

The following dosages have been scientifically investigated:

Applied to the skin:

  • For nail fungus: a 100% tea tree oil solution twice daily for 6 months, applied to the affected area.
  • For athlete's foot: a 25 to 50% tea tree oil solution applied to the affected area twice daily for one month. A 10% tea tree oil cream was also used twice daily for one month.
  • For acne: 5% tea tree oil gel applied to the affected area once a day.

References

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