Tea tree oil was discovered in Australia in the 1920’s.3 For decades, after its discovery, men would go into the forest and cut the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia trees, shown in the image below.3 They would then place the leaves in a portable still, which would heat water and produce enough steam to evaporate tea tree oil from the leaves.3 This became a really important industry in Australia as tea tree oil was one of the best antibacterial medications they had access to.3 Once World War II ended more powerful antibiotics were discovered and tea tree oil use slowed down, until the 1970’s when people started looking for natural alternatives to mainstream medication.3
Tea tree oil is still popular today because it is able to kill bacteria, fungi and insects.3 Many people apply tea tree oil to cuts and scrapes because it prevents infection by killing any bacteria that may have entered the wound.1 It can also be used to treat toe nail fungus and athletes foot, because of its anti-fungal properties, and has the ability to get rid of head lice in 30 minutes.2,7 On top of its anti-microbial properties, tea tree oil can also treat inflammation.3 The anti-inflammatory properties in conjunction with the anti-bacterial properties makes it a good treatment for acne, if it is applied in the right concentration.8
While there are many benefits to using tea tree oil, if it is not used properly it can be dangerous. Tea tree oil should never be ingested, as it can reduce consciousness and also cause confusion and balance issues.5 Boys under the age of twelve should limit their use of products containing tea tree oil as it can cause hormone imbalances, resulting in breast growth.4 If used in concentrations higher than 2%, tea tree oil can be harmful to cats and dogs.6 You can tell that your pet has tea tree oil poisoning if it begins walking off balance or suddenly becomes weak.6
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Source: Derrin, G. Melaleuca alternifolia flowers.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melaleuca_alternifolia_flowers.jpg
(Accessed February 4, 2019). Copyright 2017 by G. Derrin. Reprinted with permission.
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1. Axe, J. Top Ten Tea Tree Oil Uses and Benefits. Dr. Axe. 2018.https://draxe.com/tea-tree-oil-uses-benefits/
2. Campli, E. Di; Bartolomeo, S. Di; Pizzi, P. D.; Giulio, M. Di; Grande, R.; Nostro, A.; Cellini, L. Activity of Tea Tree Oil and Nerolidol Alone or in Combination against PediculusCapitis (Head Lice ) and Its Eggs. 2012, 111, 1985–1992. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-012-3045-0.
3. Carson, C. F.; Hammer, K. A.; Riley, T. V. Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: A Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties. Clinical Microbial Reviews,2006, 19(1), 50–62. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.19.1.5062.2006.
4. Henley, D. V.; Lipson, N.; Korach, K. S.; Bloch, C. A. Prepubertal Gynecomastia Linked to Lavender and Tea Tree Oils. N. Engl. J. Med.2007, 356(5), 479–485. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa064725
5. Tea Tree Oil. Mayo Clinic. 2017. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugssupplements-tea-tree-oil/art-20364246
6. Tea Tree Oil. Pet Poison Hotline. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/tea-tree-oil/
7. Wong,C. The Benefits of Tea Tree Oil. Very Well Health. 2018.https://www.verywellhealth.com/benefits-of-tea-tree-oil-89521
8. Wong, C. Tea Tree Oil to Clear Acne. Very Well Health. 2018. https://www.verywellhealth.com/tea-tree-oil-for-acne-89984
Image: Derrin, G. Melaleuca alternifolia flowers. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melaleuca_alternifolia_flowers.jpg(Accessed February 4, 2019). Copyright 2017 by G. Derrin. Reprinted with permission.
Image: Derrin, G. Melaleuca alternifolia flowers. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melaleuca_alternifolia_flowers.jpg(Accessed February 4, 2019). Copyright 2017 by G. Derrin. Reprinted with permission.
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