Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. Tea tree oil was used as a topical treatment by the Aboriginal people for centuries.

Attributed to Aboriginal Tribes and obtained from the native Australian Melaleuca plant, Tea Tree oil has prized effects on the skin including immune modulation, anti- microbial and anti-fungal activity. It is especially effective against yeast species and acne vulgaris. The Australian Army puts it in soldiers’ kits to help heal cuts and scrapes and prevent fungal infections. Terpinen-4-ol is a major TTO component which exhibits powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Tea tree oil also has antioxidant activity and has been reported to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections affecting skin and mucosa. Several studies have found TTO useful for the treatment of acne vulgaris, seborrheic dermatitis, and chronic gingivitis. It also accelerates the wound healing process and exhibits anti-skin cancer activity.

The Medical Journal of Australia compared the efficacy of tea tree oil to the efficacy of benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of acne. A study of 119 patients using 5% tea tree oil in a gel base versus 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion was discussed. There were 61 subjects in the benzoyl peroxide group and 58 in the tea tree oil group. The conclusion was that “both treatments were effective in reducing the number of inflamed lesions throughout the trial, with a significantly better result for benzoyl peroxide when compared to the tea tree oil. Skin oiliness was lessened significantly in the benzoyl peroxide group versus the tea tree oil group.” However, while the reduction of breakouts was greater for the benzoyl peroxide group, the side effects of dryness, stinging, and burning were also greater—“79% of the benzoyl peroxide group versus 49% of the tea tree oil group.”

• Int J Dermatol. 2013 Jul;52(7):784-90. – A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology
• BMC Infect Dis. 2006 Nov 3;6:158. – In vivo activity of terpinen-4-ol, the main bioactive component of Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel (tea tree) oil against azole-susceptible and -resistant human pathogenic Candida species
• J Dermatol Sci. 2012 Aug;67(2):120-9. – Topically applied Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil causes direct anti-cancer cytotoxicity in subcutaneous tumour bearing mice
• Front Microbiol. 2012 Jun 18;3:220. – Antifungal, cytotoxic, and immunomodulatory properties of tea tree oil and its derivative components: potential role in management of oral candidosis in cancer patients