Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and dietary supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products containing or claiming to contain tea tree oil. Decisions to use herbs or supplements should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with their pharmacists or health care providers before starting.

Evidence

Scientists have studied tea tree oil for the following health problems:

Unproven Uses

Tea tree oil has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially very serious and even life-threatening. You should consult a health care provider before using tea tree oil for any unproven use.

Potential Dangers

Allergies

People with allergies to tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) or plants of the Myrtle (Myrtaceae) family, balsam of Peru or benzoin may be more likely to have allergic reactions to tea tree oil. Numerous cases of allergic reactions have been reported. Allergy symptoms may include red, itching rashes, and skin swelling.

Side Effects

Few side effects (other than allergic reactions) have been reported from tea tree oil when it is used on the skin. Systemic hypersensitivity have also been reported. Numerous toxic effects have been reported when tea tree oil is taken by mouth.

Skin rashes, irritation, inflammation of the corners of the mouth and eczema may occur in people with allergies to tea tree oil when it is used on the skin. Several reports of drowsiness, muscle weakness, muscle tremors, depression, loss of coordination, and difficulty walking have been reported in children when tea tree oil is taken by mouth. Other adverse effects due to oral use of tea tree oil include stomach discomfort and abnormal blood counts.

Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding

Dosing and safety of tea tree oil have not been studied thoroughly in pregnant or breast-feeding women, and its use is not recommended.

Interactions

Interactions with drugs, supplements and other herbs have not been thoroughly studied. The interactions listed below have been reported in scientific publications. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with your health care provider or pharmacist before using herbs or dietary supplements.

Interactions With Drugs

Tea tree oil may cause excessive drying of the skin when used with some other drugs that are used to treat acne, such as tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova) or isotretinoin (Accutane).

Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements

No interactions between tea tree oil and other herbs or supplements have been reported in the available literature.

Dosing

The doses listed below are based on scientific research, publications or traditional use. Because most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly studied or monitored, safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients even within the same brand. Combination products often contain small amounts of each ingredient and may not be effective. Appropriate dosing should be discussed with a health care provider before starting therapy; always read the recommendations on a product's label. The dosing for unproven uses should be approached cautiously, because scientific information is limited in these areas.

Because tea tree oil is toxic when taken by mouth, it is only recommended to apply it on the skin.

Adults (Aged 18 Or Older)

For acne

Gel: Five percent gel applied to acne daily has been used for up to three months.

For toenail fungus

Oil: One hundred percent tea tree oil has been applied to the affected area two times daily for six months.

For athelete's foot

Cream: Ten percent tea tree oil cream has been applied two times per day after washing and drying the feet.

Children (Younger Than 18)

Dosing and safety of tea tree oil have not been studied thoroughly in children, and its use is not recommended.

Summary

Although tea tree oil has been suggested for many conditions, it has not been proven for any health problem. It should be avoided in pregnant and breast-feeding women and in children. Because it is toxic if taken by mouth, tea tree oil should be used only on the skin. Side effects may include skin dryness or peeling, and allergies have been reported. Consult your health care provider immediately if you experience side effects.

The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.

Resources

1. Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics

2. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research

Selected Scientific Studies: Tea Tree Oil

Natural Standard reviewed more than 1260 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created.

Some of the more recent studies are listed below:

1. Arweiler NB, Donos N, Netuschil L, et al. Clinical and antibacterial effect of tea tree oil: a pilot study. Clin Oral Investig 2000;4(2):70-73.

2. Bhushan M, Beck MH. Allergic contact dermatitis from tea tree oil in a wart paint. Contact Derm 1997;36(2):117-118.

3. Carson CF, Ashton L, Dry L, et al. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil gel (6%) for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis. J Antimicrob Chemother 2001;48(3):450-451.

4. Carson CF, Riley TV. Safety, efficacy and provenance of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil. Contact Derm 2001;45(2):65-67.

5. Crawford, G. H., Sciacca, J. R., and James, W. D. Tea tree oil: cutaneous effects of the extracted oil of Melaleuca alternifolia. Dermatitis 2004;15(2):59-66.

6. Dryden, M. S., Dailly, S., and Crouch, M. A randomized, controlled trial of tea tree topical preparations versus a standard topical regimen for the clearance of MRSA colonization. J.Hosp.Infect. 2004;56(4):283-286.

7. Jandourek A, Vaishampayan JK, Vazquez JA. Efficacy of melaleuca oral solution for the treatment of fluconazole refractory oral candidiasis in AIDS patients. AIDS 1998;12(9):1033-1037.

8. Martin, K. W. and Ernst, E. Herbal medicines for treatment of fungal infections: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Mycoses 2004;47(3-4):87-92.

9. Messager, S., Hammer, K. A., Carson, C. F., and Riley, T. V. Effectiveness of hand-cleansing formulations containing tea tree oil assessed ex vivo on human skin and in vivo with volunteers using European standard EN 1499. J.Hosp.Infect. 2005;59(3):220-228.

10. Morris, M. C., Donoghue, A., Markowitz, J. A., and Osterhoudt, K. C. Ingestion of tea tree oil (Melaleuca oil) by a 4-year-old boy. Pediatr.Emerg.Care 2003;19(3):169-171.

11. Rubel DM, Freeman S, Southwell IA. 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;39(4):244-247.

12. Soukoulis, S. and Hirsch, R. The effects of a tea tree oil-containing gel on plaque and chronic gingivitis. Aust.Dent.J. 2004;49(2):78-83.

13. Syed TA, Qureshi ZA, Ali SM, et al. Treatment of toenail onychomycosis with 2% butenafine and 5% Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil in cream. Trop Med Int Health 1999;4(4):284-287.

14. Vazquez JA, Vaishampayan J, Arganoza MT, et al. Use of an over the counter product, Breathaway (Melaleuca oral solution), as an alternative agent for refractory oropharyngeal candidiasis in AIDS patients [abstract]. Int Conf AIDS 1996;11:109.

Last updated:	August 21, 2006