Tea tree oil

Image via WikipediaThe leaves of Tea tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia) produces oil which has been used by Australian for centuries to treat skin infections. This fragrant oil smells similar to that of nutmeg. Tea tree only grows in Australia. Right now, Australia is the major source of tea tree oil which exports some 700 tons annually. Pure tea tree oil is colorless to pale yellow. It is often called as ‘melaleuca oil’.

There is a number of health benefits associated with this herbal medicine. Tea tree oil with high quality contains 40% or more of terpinen-4-ol, which is the major ingredient that combats harmful bacteria and fungi. It is the component that makes tea tree oil effective in treating cuts, scrapes, insect bites and stings. Other benefits one can derived from tea tree oil include:

* It treats cuts, scrapes, insect bites, stings, minor skin wounds and irritations. The oil changes the chemical barrier of the skin making it inhospitable to fungi and other organisms.
* It fights fungal nail infections, jock itch and athlete’s foot. Tea tree oil is effective in fighting Trichophyton, the fungus that causes a number of topical infections such as athlete’s foot and jock itch.
* It minimizes the course of vaginal yeast infections. It is effective in countering the causes which are Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis.
* It can control acne. Preparations of up to 15% of tea tree oil can treat even the severe case of acne due to its antic-acne properties.
* It treats dandruff and head lice. 5% solution of tea tree oil is effective in combating Pityrosporum ovale, a fungus which cause dandruff.
* It stops warts by stopping the virus.



Tea tree oil comes in suppository, oil, gel and cream formulations. In order to get the most benefit out of tea tree oil, find a product that is derived only from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree. Other species have higher percentage of cineole which can cause skin irritation and lessens the oil’s benefits.

To treat minor skin wounds, insect bites and stings and irritations, cleanse the wound then apply one or two drops of tea tree oil to the affected area twice or thrice daily.

To treat nail infections, rub tea tree oil on the nail twice daily.

To treat athlete’s foot, apply the oil or cream to the areas affected twice daily and/or use it in a foot bath. For foot bath, put 20 drops of tea tree oil in small basin of warm water, soak the feet for 15 minutes two or three times a day. Dry the feet then apply a drop or two of oil to the affected area.

To treat vaginal yeast infections, use tea tree oil vaginal suppository every 12 hours for a maximum of five days.

To treat acne, put a drop or two to each acne lesion three times daily.

To treat warts, put few drops on small gauze and tape it over the wart at bedtime then remove in the morning. Continue until wart heals.

In buying the product, the following pointers might help:

* Make sure that M. alternifolia is one of the first ingredients listed in the tea tree oil.
* Tea tree oil can be found in skin care and beauty products such as shampoo and soaps. Research if the product can give you the benefits of tea tree oil.
* Some toothpaste also contains tea tree oil but in very small quantity. This amount is not enough to fight bacteria in the mouth though.
* Do not ingest tea tree oil. It is strictly for external use only. If ingest accidentally, call the doctor.

There are no known drugs or nutrient interaction with tea tree oil. Possible side effects of tea tree oil include skin irritation for those with sensitive skin. It can also cause allergies in some people.