Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

The benefits of tea tree oil include antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Aborigines have used tea tree oil for many years to treat burns, cuts, and wounds. Modern research supports using tea tree oil as a topical treatment for many problems.

Australian farmers grow Melaleuca or tea trees on plantation throughout the northeast coast of New South Wales. Companies process the leaves through steam distillation to extract the golden to clear colored tea tree oil. Consumers purchase tea tree oil in pure form or mixed into many products, such as shampoos and lotions. Tea tree oil exudes a potent, camphor-type smell, which is pleasant to some and off putting to others. The scent does take some getting used to for most people.

As with so many herbal remedies, tea tree oil has a long history of use as a folk remedy. Aborigines press tea tree leaves onto wounds or used them as poultices on burns or cuts. During the 1920’s and 1930’s, a researcher named Arthur Penfold studied tea tree oil and discovered that the oil was eleven times more active than phenol (carbolic acid). Popularity waned after World War II, when more potent antibacterial agents were discovered, but interest grew in the 1970’s along with the natural health and wellness movement. Today, the University of Western Australia sponsors the Tea Tree Oil Research Group to conduct rigorous studies on the benefits of tea tree oil.

The active ingredient in tea tree oil, terpinen-4-ol, provides powerful antimicrobial action. Other ingredients support tea tree oil’s claimed antimicrobial and antifungal benefits.

One of the major benefits of tea tree oil is its antifungal properties. The U.S. Pharmacists' website cites several studies demonstrating tea tree oil’s effectiveness again yeast and fungal infections of the skin and mucosa. Rigorous studies compared the effectiveness of tea tree oil versus common pharmaceutical preparations. The results indicate that tea tree oil is as effective, if not more so, than many manufactured treatments.

Other fungal infections that respond well to tea tree oil include fingernail or toenail fungus infections. Many health food stores carry tea tree oil preparations to cure nail fungus.

Dandruff may also be alleviated using a tea tree oil based shampoo. Tea tree oil inhibits growth of the organism that causes dandruff and scalp dermatitis, Pityrosporum ovale, as well as most fungal and yeast cultures in laboratory studies.

One promising avenue of research for tea tree oil is in the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Some strains of staphylococcus bacteria have become resistant to most antibiotics, and can cause deadly bacterial infections. Tea tree oil may prove effective against such bacteria when all other treatments fail.

On a much more prosaic note, tea tree oil knocks out the bacteria that cause common acne. Studies indicate that tea tree oil was as effective as benzoyl peroxide products. It works more slowly than over the counter creams, but causes fewer side effects. Common side effects of acne creams are red, itchy, or scaly skin.

Tea tree oil cures boils quickly. To use tea tree oil on a boil, you can either place a few drops of oil directly onto the boil, or create a hot compress to draw out the infection. To make the compress, use one cup of the hottest water you can comfortably place against your skin. Place several drops of tea tree oil into the water. Lavender, another powerful antibacterial oil, can also be included in the compress water if you don’t like the smell of tea tree oil. Mix the oils into the water and place a clean cloth into the water. Wring out the excess moisture, and keep the cloth against the boil for ten minutes. Repeat as needed until the boil drains. Please see a medical professional for repeated infections or boils that don’t respond to treatment.

Benefits of tea tree oil include flea and tick control, so the oils are frequently included in shampoos, conditioners, and treatments for pets. Although it’s not proven to repel other insects, some people report using it as a general insect repellent.

If used externally, tea tree oil appears to be a safe product. Some cases of allergic reactions have occurred, so if a rash or redness appears, discontinue use. Do not take tea tree oil internally. Tea tree oil contains different compounds than the black, green or white tea we drink. Do not consume tea tree oil or products containing tea tree oil. Some mouthwashes, toothpastes and rinses contain tea tree oil, but several studies show more harm than good from these products, so it may be best to avoid them for the time being.

• The Mayo Clinic gave a grade of C to the effectiveness of tea tree oil.
• The U.S. National Library of Medicine provides an extensive article on tea tree oil.

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