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 Grown in the islands of the south Pacific and Australia,
"tea trees" got their name because bark, leaves, or twigs were
historically used by settlers and travelers as a tea substitute.
Australian tea trees, the main source of tea tree oil, are not trees
at all, but rather green shrubs that grow in the wet coastal regions
of Australia. These shrubs grow very quickly and can reach heights
of 7 or 8 feet when full grown. Australian tea trees have soft,
thick, white bark, and white flowers that bloom in the
summer.
The light yellow tea tree oil is produced by steaming
the pine-needle-like tea tree leaves to force out the oil which is
used mainly in medicine, but also for industrial lubricants and
cosmetic products. The oil has a nutmeg-like smell.
Tea tree
oil contains chemicals known as terpenoids which give the oil its
medicinal properties. Australian standards were established for the
amount of one particular compound, terpinen-4-ol, which must make up
at least 30% and preferably 40–50% of the oil for it to be medically
useful. Tea tree oil contains yet another compound, cineole, which
should make up less than 15% and preferably 2.5% of the
oil.
The oil kills fungus and bacteria, including those
resistant to some antibiotics. Tea tree oil is used topically as an
antiseptic and anti-infective for bacterial infections, acne, and
fungal infections such as athlete's foot. It is also used to treat a
variety of insect bites, sunburn, and other minor skin
irritations.
Tea tree oil has also been used to kill bacteria
in the mouth before dental surgery and to lessen the mouth
irritation caused by dental procedures. In patients who suffer from
oral candidiasis, a fungal infection of the mouth and throat, tea
tree oil mouth rinse may prove effective in reducing symptoms. Other
studies have indicated that tea tree oil is also effective for use
in connection with nose, throat, and vaginal related
infections.
Tea Tree Oil Dosage and
Administration
The amount of actual tea tree oil in
various marketed preparations can range anywhere from 1% to 100%.
Often, the stronger products are used for hard-to-treat infections
such as toenail fungus, while 5% to 10% tea tree oil gels have been
used successfully to treat acne.
Commonly used dosages and
durations include:
- For treating fungal infections of fingernails or toenails:
100% tea tree oil twice a day for 6 months
- For treating athlete's foot: 10% tea tree oil twice daily for
up to one month
- For acne: 5% to 10% tea tree oil once a day indefinitely
- For oral candidiasis: one tablespoonful of 5% tea tree oil
solution as a mouth wash taken up to 4 times a day. (Make sure to
spit out)
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