Tea Tree- How does it Works?

« Bay Herb - Uses, Benefits and Properties of this Herb - Weight loss pills review of Proactol »

Tea Tree- How does it Works?

11 October 2008

Written by: steve Posted under Herbal Medicines

Taxonomic class

Myrtaceae

Common Trade Names

Jason Winter’s Tea Tree Oil, Swanson Ultra Tea Tree Oil, Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil

Common Forms

Available as creams, lotions, ointments, and soaps. It is also included in cosmetics, household products, and toiletries. Concentrations of melaleuca oil in these products range from less than 1% to 100%.

Source

Tea tree oil, or melaleuca oil, is an essential oil distilled from the leaves and branches of Melaleuca alternifolia, a member of the myrtle family that is native to coastal areas of Australia.

Chemical Components

The steam distillation of the leaves yields about 2% oil. The colorless to pale yellow oil is composed of terpene hydrocarbons (pinene, terpinene, cymene), cineol, and various minor sesquiterpenes and related alcohols. Composition of the extract is varied; the oxygenated terpene, terpinen-4-ol, can constitute up to 60% of the total oil. Some oils contain high concentrations of 1,8-cineol, which is the main component of eucalyptus oil. Most commercially available tea tree oils contain little or no cineol. More than 100 compounds (all plant terpenenes) have been identified in melaleuca oil.

Actions

Terpinen-4-ol a main component of tea tree oil, has significant antibacterial and antifungal activity in vitro; susceptible organisms include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proprionibacterium acnes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus species, and Candida albicans. Controversy exists as to the precise mechanism of action for the melaleuca. One report suggests that tea tree oil disrupts cell membrane permeability, promoting leakage of intracellular ions and proteins. Earlier data have suggested that the antiseptic effect of tea tree oil was related to its ability to activate WBCs . Still other information suggests that organic matter and surfactants that accompany melaleuca oil were responsible for the antibacterial effect. Tea tree oil may be effective against MRSA carriers that have previously been treated with topical mupirocin . There is in vitro evidence as well that tea tree oil has antimicrobial activityagainst vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Polymyxin B may enhance melaleuca’s antibacterial effect against P. aeruginosa by enhancing permeability of the organism cell membrane to the tea tree oil components .

Cooling appears to be an effective modality for the therapy of burn wounds. An investigation in piglets was undertaken to determine the effect of melaleuca gel on artificially induced burn wounds . Melaleuca gel, applied immediately or in a delayed manner, reduced intradermal temperature (cooling) and promoted more rapid healing as compared with untreated controls. Cold water compresses appeared to fare as well as melaleuca.

Reported Uses

Tea tree oil has long been used primarily as a local antiseptic. Australian aborigines used it for athlete’s foot, burns, cuts, and insect bites, among other disorders. Some studies indicate that the oil is promising as a treatment for skin problems, including acne, chronic cystitis, eczema, furuncles, bacterial and fungal infections of the skin and oral mucosa, lice infestation, psoriasis, vaginal candidiasis, and wound infections .

Melaleuca oil has also been compared with tolnaftate and clot rimazole solution for various skin conditions with some effect. A cream comprising 2% butenafine and 5% melaleuca oil was studied in patients with onychomycosis . In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 60 patients with onychomycosis of at least 6 months’ duration were followed for 16 weeks after initiation of therapy. The results were rather dramatic, with 80% of the treatment group cured as compared with none in the placebo group. After several additional weeks of follow-up, no improvements in either group were demonstrated but no relapses were seen. Butenafine itself has activity against several typical fungal pathogens.

Melaleuca oil has also been studied against 5% benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of acne vulgaris . More research is needed to prove its use in this area.

Preliminary information suggests a role for melaleuca in the treatment of oral thrush infections.

Dosage

Tea tree oil is applied locally in concentrations ranging from 0.4% to 100%, depending on the type of product and the nature and location of the skin disorder.

Adverse Reactions

CNS: CNS depression (ataxia, drowsiness).

EENT: stomatitis.

GI: diarrhea, GI mucosal irritation, vomiting.

Skin: dermatitis (in sensitive people).

Interactions

None reported.

Contraindications and Precautions

Use tea tree oil cautiously in patients who are hypersensitive to the components of melaleuca oil or in those who are prone to contact dermatitis from plants. Some data point to the sesquiterpenoid fraction of the oil as the allergenic agent of melaleuca . Avoid using tea tree oil in pregnant or breast-feeding patients; effects are unknown.

Special Considerations

Monitor for worsening of skin condition or infection.
Inform the patient that melaleuca oil is ubiquitous in commercially available products and that concentration of the oil varies greatly.
Because essential oils are more appealing to olfactory senses and exhibit more natural appeal than available topical drugs, melaleuca may be preferred for antiseptic use. Encourage the patient to consider conventional therapy until substantial testing is done with the oil.
Caution the patient that the oil should not be ingested and should be kept out of the reach of young children. Even small amounts of oil taken internally may produce CNS depression. A 17 -month-old child who ingested less than 10 ml of tea tree oil experienced ataxia and drowsi ness but recovered fully .
Advise women to avoid using tea tree oil during pregnancy or when breast-feeding.

Commentary

Interest in melaleuca oil has erupted with reports of favorable in vitro antimicrobial activity against multiple pathogens (gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, MRSA, VRE, and some fungal pathogens), suggesting many potential therapeutic topical applications. Although antimicrobial activity has been well documented in vitro, human clinical trials evaluating melaleuca’s efficacy and safety profile are still preliminary. Topical application as an antifungal appears promising, but it seems prudent not to ingest the essential oil of the plant until more is known.