Tea Tree Oil Benefits and Side Effects

TEA TREE OIL BENEFITS
AND SIDE EFFECTS

Tea tree oil is currently enjoying popularity as a 'cure-all' for a variety of
skin conditions, from infections to psoriasia. [7] In addition, tea tree oil or
Melaleuca oil is a popular ingredient in many over-the-counter healthcare
and cosmetic products. With the explosion of the natural and alternative
medicine industry, more and more people are using products containing tea
tree oil. [1] It has also been investigated as an alternative antimicrobial,
anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agent. [2]

Tea tree oil is extracted by steam distillation of Melaleuca alternifolia
leaves. Tea tree oil has been suggested to use in infection prevention as it
may have antiseptic properties. A few studies demonstrated its
antimicrobial and antifungal activities. Some studies suggested its benefits
in conditions including onychomycosis, tinea pedis, acne, and vaginal
infections. Its active ingredient is Terpinen-4-ol and oral ingestion of tea
tree oil may be toxic. Topical application may cause allergic reaction and
dermatitis to some people. Otherwise, side effects are limited for normal
usage on skin. Related products include BogaskinÂ® (veterinary
formulation), breathaway, BurnaidÂ®, Melaleuca Alternifolia HydrogelÂ®
(burn dressing), TebodontÂ® etc.

Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has anti-bacterial activities.
Martin KW and Ernst E from Universities of Exeter and Plymouth reviewed
various herbal medicines for treatment of bacterial infections. They
concluded the benefits of tea tree oil preparations in two studies on acne
and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus equivalent to conventional
methods. [10]

Tea tree oil has anti-fungi effects.
Martin KW and Ernst E. from Universities of Exeter and Plymouth reviewed
four clinical trials of tea tree oil preparations. They found some positive
outcomes attributed to the intervention of these preparation on fungi
infections. Solanum species (two trials) and oil of bitter orange
preparations (one trial) were compared with conventional treatments. In all
cases encouraging results were reported. There are few controlled clinical
trials of herbal antifungal medicines. The most thoroughly clinically tested is
tea tree oil, which holds some promise. All herbal remedies require further
investigation in rigorous clinical trials.

Tea tree oil may benefit infected wound healing?
Tea tree oil has been effective as an adjunctive therapy in treating
osteomyelitis and infected chronic wounds in case studies and small clinical
trials. [11] There is a need for larger clinical trials to further examine efficacy
of tea tree oil as an adjunctive wound therapy, as well as improved
guidelines for developing plant-based medicines. [11]

Tea tree oil and its active ingredient may have anti-cancer activities.
Tea tree oil and terpinen-4-ol are found to be able to impair the growth of
human M14 melanoma cells and appear to be more effective on their
resistant variants, which express high levels of P-glycoprotein in the plasma
membrane. But more studies are needed to confirm this potential benefit of
tea tree oil. [13]

Side Effects of Tea Tree Oil
Anecdotal evidence from almost 80 years of use suggests that the topical
use of the oil is relatively safe, and that adverse events are minor,
self-limiting and occasional. [2,8] However, it may cause contact dermatitis
to severe blisters to some people. Application of tea tree oil on skin may
lead to skin drying, rash, redness, blistering, and itching. Large quantities
for skin application may cause difficulty walking, weakness, muscle tremor,
slowing of brain function, and poor coordination. [1-9] Oral intake of tea
tree oil may cause severe rash, reduced immune system function,
abdominal pain, diarrhea, lethargy, drowsiness, mouth inflammation, slow
or uneven walking, confusion, or coma. Side effects of oral intake tea tree
may also include nausea, unpleasant taste, burning sensation, and bad
breath.

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FOR
ANY QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008 ZHION
Reference: [1] Hartford O, Zug KA. Tea tree oil. Cutis. 2005 Sep;76(3):178-80. [2]
Hammer KA, A review of the toxicity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil. Food
Chem Toxicol. 2006 May;44(5):616-25. Epub 2005 Oct 21. [3] Willcox M. An
evaluation of tea tree oil as an alternative microbicide. Nurs Times. 2005 Mar
15-21;101(11):32-3. [4] Crawford GH, Tea tree oil: cutaneous effects of the
extracted oil of Melaleuca alternifolia. Dermatitis. 2004 Jun;15(2):59-66. [5] Kutting
B, Allergic contact dermatitis in children: strategies of prevention and risk
management. Eur J Dermatol. 2004 Mar-Apr;14(2):80-5. [6] Haller CA, An
evaluation of selected herbal reference texts and comparison to published reports of
adverse herbal events. Adverse Drug React Toxicol Rev. 2002;21(3):143-50. [7]
Rubel DM, et al, Tea tree oil allergy: what is the offending agent? Report of three
cases of tea tree oil allergy and review of the literature. Australas J Dermatol. 1998
Nov;39(4):244-7. [8] Ernst E, Huntley A. Tea tree oil: a systematic review of
randomized clinical trials. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2000
Feb;7(1):17-20. [9] Schempp CM, Plant-induced toxic and allergic dermatitis
(phytodermatitis)] Hautarzt. 2002 Feb;53(2):93-7. [10] Martin KW et al, Herbal
medicines for treatment of bacterial infections: a review of controlled clinical trials. J
Antimicrob Chemother. 2003 Feb;51(2):241-6 [11] Halcon L, Milkus K.
Staphylococcus aureus and wounds: a review of tea tree oil as a promising
antimicrobial. Am J Infect Control. 2004 Nov;32(7):402-8. [12] Martin KW and Ernst
E. Herbal medicines for treatment of fungal infections: a systematic review of
controlled clinical trials. Mycoses. 2004 Apr;47(3-4):87-92. [13] Calcabrini A,
Terpinen-4-ol, the main component of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil inhibits the
in vitro growth of human melanoma cells. J Invest Dermatol. 2004 Feb;122(2):349-60