Sweet-smelling tea tree oil is a fungus fighter
In Australia and New Zealand, the term “tea tree” refers to a number of fast-growing evergreens once used by native Pacific Islanders and early European explorers -- including Captain Cook -- to make tea and other drinks. Tea tree oil, made from the shrubs’ leaves, has a sweet, nutmeg scent that has made it a popular ingredient in shampoos, soaps and other bath products. The oil contains chemicals called terpenes, which have proved their ability to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi in the lab. Most of today’s commercial tea tree products are made from the widely studied Melaleuca alternifolia -- a tea tree containing lots of terpinen-4-ol, a terpene with particularly potent antimicrobial activity.
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Uses: Tea tree oil is used to treat acne, athlete’s foot, dandruff, mouth sores, bug bites, jock itch, vaginal yeast infections and thrush, a yeast infection of the mouth. Aromatherapists sometimes recommend inhaling the oil’s fragrance as a cough and cold treatment, but there’s no strong evidence supporting this use.
Dose: Ointments, lotions, suppositories, mouthwashes and the pure essential oil contain between 1% and 100% tea tree oil. Apply a high-concentration product twice a day to nail fungal infections. Use products with 5% to 15% tea tree oil to treat acne or mouth infections.
Precautions: Tea tree oil can cause temporary dryness, burning or itchiness when it’s applied to the skin. People sensitive to pine trees may react by breaking out in a rash. Avoid getting the oil in eyes and ears, and don’t swallow it -- large oral doses (a few teaspoons or more) could cause confusion, lack of muscle control or coma.
Research: In human trials, the oil has shown promise for treating thrush in AIDS patients, dandruff, toenail fungus, and so-called staph infections -- serious, hospital-acquired infections that stubbornly resist most antibiotic treatment. Tea tree oil is also effective against acne (while causing few side effects) and can reduce symptoms of athlete’s foot (though whether it actually clears the fungus that causes it is not yet clear). Evidence of the oil’s ability to combat vaginal yeast infections so far comes largely from test-tube studies.
Dietary supplement makers are not required by the U.S. government to demonstrate that their products are safe or effective. Ask your healthcare provider for advice on selecting a brand.
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-- Elena Conis