"Tea Tree Oil" for health problems therapy
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
What is Tea Tree Oil (TTO)?
TTO is an essential oil usually extracted by steam-distillation
from the leaves and twigs of the medium-sized Australian tea tree shrub
Medically useful components of standardized TTO
Cineole (2 - 5% <Cineole < 15%)
Terpinen-4-ol(>30%)
Useful properties of TTO Antibacterial/Antibiotic
Gram-positive bacteria - such as Staphylococcus aureus
Gram-negative bacteria - such as Escherichia
coli Cox SD, Mann CM, Markham JL, Bell HC, Gustafson
JE, Warmington JR, Wyllie SG 2000. The mode of antimicrobial action of essential
oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil). J Appl Microbiol 88 :
170-175. or Salmonella typhimurium Wilkinson JM, Cavanagh
HM Antibacterial activity of essential oils from Australian native plants. 2005.
Phytother Res 19 : 643-646.
Anti-fungal
TTO inhibited growth of all fungi tested: including candida, 26 strains of skin
organisms, 54 yeasts and 22 other strains of fungi.
Study of Anti-fungal activity of Tea Tree (Melaleuca) Essential Oil,
University of Leigzig, Germany1996.
Hammer KA, CarsonCF, Riley TV. In-vitro activity of essential oils,
in particular Melaleuca alternafolia (tea tree) oil and tea tree oil products, against
Candida albicans. J Antimicrobial Chemother 1998;42:591-5.
Other medicinal properties
Iinclude: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral,anti-infectious, anti-parasite
How to Use TTO?
Not for oral consumption and generally use undiluted (can be
diluted 2-10%). The undiluted oil can cause greater skin irritation or allergic
reactions
Schulz V Rational phytoterapy: A physician's guide to herbal Medicine
2000 . West Lafayette: Springer.
Topical Use
Dilute as necessary in oil - E.g. jojoba oil.Dilute up to 10%
Apply TTO to infected areas as needed - May require several applications each day
over 2-3 weeks.
TTO may be incorporated into other external-use creams/ointments etc.
Vaginal use may require a suppository product
Dental/Mouth Use
In toothpaste
In mouthwash
Safety Precautions - Avoid contact with eyes. Keep out of the
reach of children. Do not take orally - can use as a mouthwash, but do not swallow
TTO. For application to sensitive areas such as near the eyes, mouth, or genitals,
use a diluted form of tea tree oil; always dilute for use on a baby's skin. Pregnant
women should use tea tree oil cautiously. Test for unwanted reaction to tea tree
oil by dabbing a small amount on the inside of your arm and wait for five to ten
minutes.
What is Tree Oil used for?
Yeast Infections -
Thrush, vaginitis, cystitis,
Dental problems - use at 10% solution.
The influence of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia on the healing
of infected dental alveoli: a histological study in rats concluded that TTO at
20% caused a delay in the repair process of infected dental alveoli in rats, as
demonstrated by the presence of more necrosis area and less osteogenesis.
Fungus /Candida
Skin Care
Abcsess
Acne (9% solution)
Athlete's Foot
Blisters
Burns
Sores
Oily skin
Dandruff -use in shampoo / rub diluted TTO into
scalp 10%
Herpes
Wounds/Cuts/Abrasions (infected)
Mouth ulcers
Insect bites
Rashes -E..g. diaper rash
(10% dilution)
Warts
Nail infections - Eg. Toe nail fungus (use 9% solution)
Jock itch
Pruritis (itching) - caused
by fungal (such as candida overgrowth)/parasitic infection
E.g. Pruritis ani (rectal itching) -also keep area
clean and dry, and reduce sugar intake to reduce fungal/parasitic overpopulation
of intestines
Ringworm (a fungus)
Warts -caused by a
virus; dab on undiluted throughout day. May take 3-4 weeks to completely shrink
and dry up. BTW, Warts do not have roots. Cover with strong tape after application.
Warts appear with a weakened immune system, which would otherwise take care of them.
Other Uses - Air purifier, insect
repellent
