Aromatherapy and You! Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), also known as Melaleuca
oil or Ti Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a truly amazing essential oil. It is antiseptic,
antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal. Tea tree oil is an
effective immune stimulant. It is a mild pain reliever -
analgesic - when applied to a fresh wound or minor burn.
You may be thinking that this oil is just too good to be true!
Well - put it this way - I would not be without a bottle of tea
tree oil in the house.
Brief History
The Melaleuca tree or bush is a plant native to New South Wales,
Australia. It has been used by the indigenous population of
Australia for thousands of years. The plant was named tea tree
after Captain James Cook set foot on the shores of Australia back
in 1770. The story goes that Cook brewed up a tea from the leaves
of the Melaleuca tree. Sir Joseph Banks, the botanist
accompanying Cook on his voyage, collected samples of the leaf
from several species of Melaleuca to study on his return to
England.
Please note that the therapeutic essential oil comes from only
one of the hundreds of Melaleuca plants - specifically Melaleuca
alternifolia.
Research was conducted in the early 20th Century into the
effectiveness of tea tree oil as an antiseptic and disinfectant.
In 1933 the British Medical Journal published a report stating
that tea tree oil was a powerful disinfectant, non-poisonous and
non-irritant. In 1930 the Australian Medical Journal reported
extremely good results when using tea tree oil to treat
everything from septic wounds to scar regeneration. The report
stated that the oil dissolved pus, leaving wounds clean without
any apparent damage to the tissues. In 1937 the same journal
noted that blood, pus or other organic matter actually increased
the antiseptic properties of tea tree oil by about 10-12%.
In 1955 the United States Dispensatory stated that tea tree oil
was actively germicidal, with an antiseptic action 11 to 13 times
that of carbolic acid (also known as phenol, a commonly used
antiseptic that is toxic and an irritant). The Australian
government included bottles of tea tree oil in the first aid kits
of soldiers serving in the tropical regions during the second
world war.
With the invention of synthetic chemicals, natural substances
such as tea tree oil have frequently been overlooked during the
second half of the 20th century. However, as you read on, you
will find certain bacteria and the like are becoming resistant to
current treatments or that the treatments have toxic side
effects, and people are starting to turn back to these natural
substances. And researchers are once again looking into the
effectiveness of Melaleuca alternifolia - tea tree oil.
Is It Safe?
Now we know that just because something is natural doesn't mean
it is necessarily safe. Think of the deadly poisons in some
plants. So, how do we know tea tree oil is safe?
We are lucky that there has been and continues to be research
carried out on Melaleuca alternifolia. Four medical journal
reports are noted above and many reports have been published
since 1985 to the present. Further research is being carried out
by hospitals, noted scientists, and by a research team set up by
an Australian University.
Research so far (as well as anecdotal evidence) shows tea tree
oil to be an effective and powerful antiseptic, disinfectant,
antifungal, antibiotic and antiviral substance, while displaying
no harmful side effects when used appropriately.
Uses
The following is a lengthy but not exhaustive list of uses of tea
tree oil. You may look at it and think that tea tree oil must be
just another quack claim of a cure all. But keep in mind that it
is the properties of tea tree oil - antiviral, antibiotic,
antiseptic, antifungal, and so on - which bring about the
effects. Thus, the antiviral property will ensure that tea tree
oil works on fungal infections on the skin (eg athlete's foot)
and the antibiotic property of tea tree will work on the hospital
superbug.
* Head or chest cold. I have effectively used tea tree oil to
ward off an oncoming head or chest cold. It should be used at the
first signs, however is effective in lessening symptoms, with the
added benefit of ensuring that others do not catch the virus from
you. Use the tea tree oil in an inhalation method or apply a few
drops to a lotion and gently massage around the throat and chest
area.
* Sick Room Disinfectant. If there are others around you who are
ill consider disinfecting the air in the home. Do this by
dispersing the tea tree oil molecules in the air via a vaporizer,
diffuser or aromatherapy lamp.
Other methods - Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a handkerchief
or tissue and breathe in the oil regularly throughout the day.
Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your cleaning cloth or use tea
tree oil based cleaners (tea tree oil is an excellent solvent).
When washing the clothing and bed linen of the sick person, add a
few drops of tea tree oil to the wash.
* Acne. A tiny amount - less than a drop - applied directly to
the spot can help clear the skin. The tea tree oil will also help
heal the skin and prevent further breakouts.
* Mouthwash. A few drops in water is an effective mouthwash and
gargle.
* Sore throat. Used as a gargle, the tea tree oil gets right to
the spot to kill germs and help heal infected tissue. Use also
for mouth ulcers.
* Dental disease. Consistent use of tea tree oil based dental
products along with appropriate nutritional products has been
shown to be effective in mild to moderate cases of dental
disease, preventing surgical intervention or use of antibiotics.
* Hayfever / allergy / rhinitis (continual runny nose). I have
used tea tree oil when I suffer from hayfever brought on by
pollen, dust or mold spores. I combine using tea tree oil as a
lotion around the throat and chest area with taking nutritional
supplements and drinking water at the time of a hayfever attack.
* I have heard that sprinkling a few drops of tea tree oil direct
on the mattress before making up the bed with bedlinen can be
effective in controlling mite spores which can bring on asthma.
* Dandruff or dry scalp. These are two different scalp conditions
but tea tree oil can work on both. I use a good quality tea tree
oil based shampoo because of my dry scalp, which if left can
become very itchy. Ensure the product you use is a quality one.
Many brands can include an infinitesimal amount of tea tree oil
but state it loud and clear as an ingredient on the label. This
applies to other types of products as well - for example, skin
care products that contains vitamins. Be consumer aware.
* Dry skin / eczema / psoriasis / dermatitis. Continued use of
tea tree oil based moisturizing lotions can counter these chronic
skin conditions (along with nutritional and diet changes and
stress management, depending upon what brings on the condition).
Keep in mind that given the chronic nature of these skin
conditions there will be no immediate "cure". Many prescribed
products may bring about immediate relief but beware side effects
and the rebound effect (condition worsens when medication stops,
therefore back on the medication).
A story from a customer, Pauline Hyland -
"I was desperate for relief when I was introduced to [a tea tree
oil based problem skin lotion]. I was suffering intermittent but
distressing itching of the legs. It was particularly bad after
showering. I tried everything including using no soap but nothing
worked. At times I would scratch so much my skin would bleed. It
didn't relieve the itch. I visited the Doctor about it but they
could provide no remedy other than 'try everything until...'
Once introduced to [this tea tree oil based problem skin lotion]
I found relief and it is pleasant to use. Not too perfumed and
not oily. I wouldn't like to be without it and find I can use it
on my face as well. In the past I have suffered from eczema and
many 'expensive' creams will bring on an attack but I find [this
tea tree oil based product] causes no problems."
* Minor burns. Use tea tree oil for a burn for both its analgesic
(pain relieving) property and healing property. As usual,
immediately following the burn run cold water over the burn for
as long as possible, then apply the tea tree oil. If unable to
access cold water or a cold pack, apply the tea tree oil straight
away. Its antiseptic property will help protect from infection.
After applying tea tree oil neat to the burn, cover with a tea
tree based gel or ointment.
* Cuts and scrapes. Again, use tea tree oil for its analgesic,
antiseptic and healing properties. Use neat and follow up with a
tea tree oil based gel or ointment.
* Prevent or treat tinea (athlete's foot). If you like to go
camping, backpacking or use gym showers, you may like to take a
bottle of tea tree oil with you. Either rub a few drops over your
feet or sprinkle the bottom of the shower area.
* Insect bites. Apply neat to the insect bite to relieve pain and
scratching or use a tea tree oil based gel or ointment.
* Treatment (and preventative) for headlice. Researchers at the
University of Massachusetts are looking at how head lice are
quickly becoming resistant to current treatments and are
investigating other methods of treatment.
Alongside their research, they state that "natural chemicals
called monoterpenoids, found in tea tree oil as well as lemon and
orange oils, appear to "work very well" in killing the pests".
Tea tree oil can be applied direct to the skin (in very small
quantities - a few drops) but not lemon or orange essential oils
which can irritate the skin. Neat tea tree oil may sting if
applied direct to an irritated scalp.
Always be aware of safety data - It is not recommended nor
considered safe to use a large quantity of essential oil to treat
a problem. A few drops is often all that is needed or recommended
because of the concentrated nature of essential oils. Given the
above note regarding tea tree oil and headlice, I must remind you
to not use neat tea tree oil in any quantity greater than a few
drops, particularly around children. Contact me if you would like
more information on this matter.
I do however thoroughly recommend using a good quality tea tree
oil based shampoo for use with school aged children - mostly as a
preventative. The tea tree oil based shampoo may act to repel the
head lice in the first place.
* Superbug buster. You will have heard that many bacteria are
developing resistance to antibiotics.
The Hospital Superbug - MRSA - methicillin-resistant
staphylococcus aureus is an antibiotic-resistant strain of a
bacterium that is common enough and likely to only cause an
infection when patients have wounds or a weak immune system owing
to illness or recent surgery. Where the microbe has acquired
multiple resistance to antibiotics, it can flourish in tissue and
bone unchecked and is also highly contagious.
Research is being carried out in London, England, comparing tea
tree oil with vancomycin, a powerful drug with toxic side
effects. Such research is necessary as some strains of MRSA are
now resistant to all antibiotics except vancomycin. Preliminary
findings suggest that tea tree oil is both highly effective and
safe, whereas vancomycin is toxic.
http://www.teatree.co.uk/MRSA.htm
I have ensured that my elderly mother has very high quality tea
tree oil and a few other tea tree oil based products in case she
goes into hospital. And these products make great 'get well'
gifts.
* More uses - cold sores, warts, boils, nail infections, thrush,
chicken pox sores (prevent scratching and scarring), apply after
shaving or waxing, use as general boost to the immune system,
muscular rub for aches and pains, disinfectant and solvent
(cleaner).
More Information
The International Journal of Aromatherapy - article by Robert
Tisserand
http://www.living-library.com/dodt/teatree.htm
The Linus Pauling Institute
http://www.orst.edu/dept/lpi/f-w98/teatrees.html
In this Positive Health article Anita C. Carr, Ph.D. reports that
tea tree oil is active against all three categories of infectious
organisms: bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Ask Dr Weil
http://www.drweil.com
Do a search for tea tree oil
More stories
http://www.teatree.co.uk/cuttings.htm
For further details of research into tea tree oil
http://www.teatree.co.uk/research.htm
http://www.meddent.uwa.edu.au/teatree (tea tree oil research
group)
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/newsletters/tea-tree-oil/august01.htm
l (tea tree oil newsletter)
Safety
Always use a high quality tea tree oil that is 100% pure
essential oil.
Used externally tea tree oil should present no difficulties
provided care is exercised. If using neat on the skin, use no
more than one or two drops. If more than a few drops are required
or applying tea tree oil to a large area of skin, dilute with a
vegetable based carrier oil.
Do not take tea tree oil internally. If using as a mouthwash or
gargle, do not swallow.
If applying tea tree oil to sensitive areas or an open wound, the
tea tree oil may sting initially.
Do not use undiluted oil to treat babies or toddlers.
A very small number of people may break out in a rash from using
tea tree oil. Patch test first by applying a small amount on your
wrist or back of your hand, leave for an hour, then wash off. If
there is a reaction, try diluting the oil or avoid use.
Generally though tea tree oil is considered a safe essential oil
that has powerful properties.
I wouldn't be without it.
Annette Ramsey
Copyright © 2002 Annette Ramsey
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