| Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca altemifolia) Michael Wiggins and Chris Sugg GENERAL DESCRIPTION Tea tree is native to only northeast coastal region of New South Wales, Australia small tree, leaves are used medicinally. More than fifty members of Melaleuca genus exist, Melaleuca altemifolia is the most researched . CHEMICAL COMPOSITION leaves contain 1.8 % oil (obtained by steam distillation) oil, contains more than 48 compounds Main constituents: 1-terpinen-4-oi 1,8-cineol gamma-terpinene p-cymene other terpenes Australian Standard for "Oil of Melaleuca" minimum terpinen-4-ol content of 30% maximum 1,8-cineol content of 15% HISTORY AND FOLK USE Bundjalung aborigines of northern new South Wales viewed lagoon where tea tree leaves fell and decayed for hundreds of years as having tremendous healing properties first report of medicinal use: Medical Journal of Australia (1930) Sydney surgeon used: solution of tea tree oil to clean wound ". . . it dissolved pus and left the surface of infected wounds clean so that its germicidal action became more effective without any apparent damage to the tissues ... most efficient germicides destroy tissues as well as bacteria...." World War II - tea tree oil wasissued to soldiers to use as a disinfectant. PHARMACOLOGY antiseptic - considered by many to be the ideal skin disinfectant antifungal good penetration, lack of irritation Effective against: Candida albicans Propionibactenum acnes Pseudomonas aeruginosa Staphylococcus aureus Streptococcus pyrogenes Trichomonas vaginalis Trichophyton mentagrophytes CLINICAL APPLICATIONS AND DOSAGE Skin infections: broad-spectrum antiseptic mixes with sebaceous secretions and penetrates epidermis apply oil two to three times per day Acne: alliterative to benzoyl peroxide less side effects (dryness, redness, pruritus, stinging, burning) 5% tea tree oil gel applied daily Common Foot Problems: tinea pedis (athlete's foot) foot irritation bromhidrosis (severely foul-smelling feet) 8% tea tree oil emollient massaged into feet daily Ear infections: Mix two drops of oil along with two drops of olive oil. Place two drops into the ear along with cotton to keep the oil from spilling out. A slight burning sensation will start to happen but this is normal because it is eliminating the inflamation. Fungal Nail Infection: 100% tea tree oil twice daily improvement in nail appearance and symptoms (with long-term use) Vaginal Infections: germicidal activity versus Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis 40% tea tree oil solution emulsified with isopropyl alcohol and water used tampon saturated with this tea tree oil solution (once wkly for 4 to 6 wks) for treatment of cervicitis and chronic endocervicitis daily vaginal douches (1 quart water with 0.4% tea tree oil) prescribed for treatment of trichomonas and candidiasis no irritation, burning, or other side effects noted Cold Sores: mix essential oil with 10 times its volume of carrier oil dab on affected area as soon as developing cold sore starts to tingle Nits: eggs of head lice on the hair put a few drops of oil on a fine comb and comb hair well OR...add 5-10 drops of oil to shampoo or hair rinse and repeat daily TOXICITY extremely safe for topical use oral ingestion not recommended DRUG AND DISEASE INTERACTIONS none reported |
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