Tea tree oil : Nature's antiseptic

In 1995, researchers at the University of Western Australia tested eight components of tea tree oil against infectious microorganisms. The researchers concluded that no single compound in tea tree oil accounts for its remarkable, broad-spectrum activity. Rather, the interaction of these eight components ~and others present in the oil~ produces the effect. The researchers suggested that an advantage of tea tree as an antiseptic is that it is practically impossible for an infectious organism to build up any resistance to it.

They state, "The complexity of the oil, with approximately 100 components, increases the likelihood that synergistic interactions are occurring between components." One of the major problems with conventional antibiotics is that, increasingly, infectious organisms develop a resistance to their effects, rendering the drug useless.

In fact, an article in the March 1998 issue of Scientific American referred to this growing problem. The opening paragraph reads, "Last year, an event doctors had been fearing finally occurred. In three different geographically separate patients, an often deadly bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, responded poorly to a once reliable antidote ~the antibiotic vancomycin. Fortunately, in those cases, the staph microbe remained susceptible to other drugs and was eradicated. But the appearance of S. aureus not readily cleared by vancomycin foreshadows trouble."

In France, pure tea tree oil has even been used for acute appendicitis. Applied frequently as pure oil over McBurney's point ~a location on the skin directly over the appendix~ tea tree oil may substitute for surgery. Naturally, qualified medical supervision is essential in this application. While North Americans maybe skeptical of medical practices in other countries, I have witnessed the successful use of tea tree oil for acute appendicitis in a Canadian hospital.

The history of tea tree oil

The Aborigines of Australia were using Melaleuca alternifolio long before our culture visited their shores. Just rubbing the leaves on the skin would disinfect cuts and relieve bites and burns. They also made an insect repellant from it. Pools and small lakes surrounded by Melaleuca trees would provide healing bathing for the first Australians as the leaves falling into the water gave up their oils.

The British ship Endeavour landed in Australia in 1770. The scientists aboard discovered small trees with aromatic leaves which, when boiled, produced a spicy, refreshing tea. Samples were brought back to England and given their botanical name, The common name tea tree has stayed with us ever since.

In 1923, in Australia, Dr A.R. Penfold explored the antiseptic and antibacterial qualities of tea tree oil. He found it to be many times stronger than carbonic acid, the standard antiseptic of the period. Dr. Penfold presented his findings to the Royal Societies of New South Wales and England. As a result of his work, tea tree was being used as an antiseptic in wound dressings and oral hygiene by the 1930s. Further clinical research, reported in the Medical Journal of Australia, showed that tea tree would dissolve pus in infected wounds and ulcers, leaving the skin clean and deodorized. In 1936, the same journal reported that tea tree oil successfully treated diabetic gangrene.

During World War II, the oil was standard issue in first-aid kits for the Australian Army and Navy operating in tropical regions. However, the post-war focus on synthetic drugs and antibiotics detracted from the value of tea tree oil, until interest was renewed in the 1970s.

Quality and safety

Australian tea tree oil producers have established quality standards with the International Standards Organization (ISO). Pure oil has been given ISO Standard 4730, based on the consistency of certain levels of constituents.

The pharmaceutical grade oil is the highest quality. It is an extremely low-irritant substance, even when applied directly to the skin. In Australia, patch tests were done on volunteer  to assess skin irritancy. These showed that even when used at 100 percent for two hours, pharmaceutical-grade tea tree oil triggered no irritation. Researchers concluded that any adverse reactions to tea tree oil may be due to poor qualiy, contamination, or exposure to light, oxygen, or prolonged heat.

If you have any concerns about skin sensitivity, you should try a patch test first. Simply place a few drops of tea tree oil on a cotton swab and apply it to the skin on the inside of your arm. Any irritation will appear within a few minutes. If this occurs, it may mean you are using an inferior grade oil.

Industrial-grade tea tree oil is produced for commercial antiseptic use. This is not as pure as pharmaceutical grade. It is not intended for use on the skin. Some suppliers may inadvertently sell this for use on the skin. If you are not satisfied with the tea tree oil you have purchased, ask your supplier for another brand that meets your needs.

All the following applications are for topical (i.e., external) use on the skin. Professional medical supervision is absolutely necessary for internal use of these essential oils.

Home and clinical use of tea tree oil

The enormous production of tea tree in Australia (one farm alone has 50 million organically grown trees) has made tea tree oil available throughout the world at reasonable prices. This fact-as well as the many conditions that respond to tea tree oil-makes it a must for any first-aid kit. While the list of conditions tea tree oil can be used for is still growing, here are some common ones that respond to the oil. Remember, if a condition begins to worsen or causes concern, consult a healthcare professional without delay.

~ Acne. When the blocked pores of pimples become infected, they can lead to scarring and pain. A study has shown that a mere five-percent solution of tea tree oil works as well as benzoyl peroxide-without the side effects.

~ Infected nails or boils. Apply a few drops of the oil directly to the skin. This will reduce inflammation and infection. In the case of boils, the pus will often be eliminated and the skin will clear up.

~ Insect bites or stings. Apply a few drops of the oil directly to the area. The oil will reduce pain and inflammation. If needed over a larger area, dilute the oil in another cold-pressed oil such as almond. In addition, a few drops to a tablespoon of cold-pressed tea tree oil can be used as an insect repellant.

~ Cuts and abrasions. Tea tree oil disinfects wounds and keeps them clean and free from infection, thus aiding the healing process. Shake a few drops of the oil in a little water and dab the site.

~ Fungal infections. Tea tree oil has been clinically tested on fungal infections such as ringworm and athlete's foot. Add 20 drops of the oil to an ounce of a plain, white skin cream. You can apply this two to three times a day to the infected areas. Fungal infections under the nail can be prolonged and painful. Tea tree oil applied directly to the site will, over a period of weeks, restore the nail to health.

~ Sore gums and gingivitis. To apply the oil, put a drop on your fingertip and massage lightly into the gum several times a day. As an antiseptic mouthwash, add three to five drops to a small quantity of water.

~ Dandruff. Using a tea tree oil shampoo is effective for dandruff. A few drops of pure oil added to your regular shampoo will transform it. Tea tree oil is also beneficial for itchy scalp conditions.

Current research

The aforementioned conditions are just some of the applications for tea tree oil in the home. As research progresses, more applications will come to light. The Australian Tea Tree Oil Research Institute (ATTORI) has founded a research center at the Southern Cross University This center, with financial backing of $60 million, will test and research clinical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications for tea tree oil.

A collaboration between ATTORI and the University of Western Sydney conducted in-vitro trials on the effectiveness of tea tree oil in controlling Legionella poenniophiha. It was found that a 0.1 percent dilution of pharmaceutical-grade tea tree oil would kill this potentially fatal organism that has appeared in a number of hospitals in recent years. The ATTORI is looking into airborne delivery systems for tea tree oil for hospitals.

The University of Western Australia has tested tea tree oil for use in preventing the spread of methicillin-resistant Stphylylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in hospitals. Stphylylococcus aureus bacteria are a frequent cause of infection, particularly following surgical procedures and bloodstream infections. Tea tree oil ~in concentrations as low as 0.25 percent~ was found to successfully control a total of 60 MRSA infections.

The future

With further research ahead, and an informed and responsible public looking for safer and more effective medicines, tea tree oil has a great future in health care. Hundreds of essential oils are available throughout the world. Many of these have established clinical and traditional applications. Research on the scale undertaken by the Australians and the French will add new and valuable therapeutic agents to the medical repertoire, and teach us more about the nature of disease.

Suggested reading: The Australian Tea Tree Oil Guide, by Cynthia Olsen (Kali Press).