| 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 Bogaskin® (veterinary
formulation), breathaway, Burnaid®, Melaleuca Alternifolia
Hydrogel® (burn dressing), Tebodont® 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 2006 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
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 Bogaskin® (veterinary
formulation), breathaway, Burnaid®, Melaleuca Alternifolia
Hydrogel® (burn dressing), Tebodont® 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 2006 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
