Uses and Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil traditionally used to treat wounds, burns, and other skin infections. Today, proponents say the oil may benefit conditions from acne to gingivitis, but the research is limited.

Tea tree oil is distilled from Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. Tea tree oil may be applied directly to the skin, but more commonly, it's diluted with another oil, like almond or olive, before it's applied. Many products like cosmetics and acne treatments include this essential oil in their ingredients. It's also used in aromatherapy.

This article discusses the latest evidence of tea tree oil's benefits and side effects. It also covers common dosages and what to look for when buying it.

Uses of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil contains active ingredients called terpenoids, which have antibacterial and antifungal effects. The compound terpinen-4-ol is the most abundant and is thought to be responsible for most of tea tree oil's activity.

Research on the use of tea tree oil is still limited, and its efficacy is unclear. Some evidence suggests that tea tree oil may help conditions like blepharitis, acne, and vaginitis.

Blepharitis

Tea tree oil is a first-line treatment for Demodex blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids caused by mites.

Tea tree oil shampoo and face wash can be used at home once daily for mild cases.

For more severe infestations, it's recommended that a 50% concentration of tea tree oil be applied to the eyelids by a healthcare provider at an office visit once a week. This high potency causes the mites to move away from the eyelashes but may cause skin or eye irritation. Lower concentrations, such as a 5% lid scrub, can be applied at home twice daily between appointments to keep the mites from laying eggs.

A systematic review recommended using lower-concentration products to avoid eye irritation. The authors noted no long-term data for tea tree oil for this use, so more clinical trials are needed.

Acne

While tea tree oil is a popular ingredient in over-the-counter acne remedies, there's only limited evidence that it works.

A review of six studies of tea tree oil used for acne concluded that it decreased the number of lesions in people with mild to moderate acne. It was also about as effective as traditional treatments like 5% benzoyl peroxide and 2% erythromycin.

And a small trial of only 18 people, an improvement was noted in people with mild to moderate acne who used tea tree oil gel and face wash on the skin twice a day for 12 weeks.

More randomized controlled trials are needed to determine tea tree oil's effect on acne.

Vaginitis

Research suggests that tea tree oil is effective in reducing symptoms of vaginal infections like vaginal discharge, pain, and itching.

In one study involving 210 patients with vaginitis, 200 milligrams (mg) of tea tree oil was given as a vaginal suppository each night at bedtime for five nights. The tea tree oil was more effective in reducing symptoms than other herbal preparations or probiotics.

Some limitations of this study were the short duration of treatment and the exclusion of women who were taking antibiotics or had chronic illnesses. For now, it's best to stick with traditional treatments like antibiotics or antifungal creams.

Additional Uses

In addition, tea tree oil has been studied for the following conditions:

• Dry eyes after cataract surgery
• Plaque and gingivitis
• Molluscum contagiosum
• Dandruff
• Rosacea
• Colonization of Staphylococcus aureus in the nose
• Scabies
• Lice
• Hand sanitation
• Nail fungus

Only very limited research exists on the effects of tea tree oil for these uses. More robust clinical trials are needed to determine if tea tree oil is beneficial for any of them.

What Are the Side Effects of Tea Tree Oil?

Your provider may recommend you use tea tree oil for a skin infection or for another reason. However, using an essential oil like this may have potential side effects. These side effects may be common or severe.

Common Side Effects

Tea tree oil is usually safe for adults if diluted and applied to the skin in small amounts.

People may have allergic reactions to tea tree oil, ranging from mild contact dermatitis to severe blisters and rashes. Tea tree oil has had more allergic reactions reported than any other essential oil, and as many as 3.5% of people may be allergic to it. Applying the pure oil is most likely to cause a reaction, while using a cosmetic product containing tea tree oil is less likely.

Severe Side Effects

Tea tree oil should not be swallowed, even in small quantities. It can cause serious side effects such as:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Rash
• Ataxia (loss of muscle control and coordination)
• Coma

And there's been a case report of unexplained breast enlargement, called gynecomastia, in a boy who used topical tea tree oil products. Subsequent reserarch suggests that tea tree oil does not cause gynecomastia or other hormone disorders.

Precautions

Do not use tea tree oil if you are allergic to it or its components (parts).

Pregnant or nursing women should avoid tea tree oil as there's not enough data to know if it's safe for these populations.

Do not use it if you have eczema, as it can be worsened by tea tree oil.

Dosage: How Much Tea Tree Oil Should I Use?

Researchers have studied various doses of tea tree oil. Some that have been used in clinical trials include:

• 200 mg vaginal suppository for vaginitis
• 5% to 50% tea tree oil eyelid scrub for blepharitis
• 5% to 20% tea tree oil gel for acne

For children, diluting one or two drops of tea tree oil in 1 teaspoonful of olive or almond oil before applying it to the skin is recommended.

What Happens If I Take Too Much Tea Tree Oil?

Never swallow tea tree oil. Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of overdose, whether or not you've swallowed it, such as:

• Poor coordination
• Excessive sleepiness and drowsiness
• Coma

Interactions

Tea tree oil may interact with the following prescription medications and make them less effective:

• Antibiotics like ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Antifungals like amphotericin B

How to Store Tea Tree Oil

Keep tea tree oil out of the reach of children and pets.

Store in its original container, away from heat and sunlight. Heat and light can cause oxidation, which makes side effects more likely.

Discard after one year or according to the manufacturer's directions.

Similar Supplements

Some other supplements traditionally used for wound healing include:

• Aloe vera
• Echinacea
• Chamomile
• Ginseng
• Green tea
• Jojoba
• Rosemary
• Comfrey
• Garlic
• Ginkgo

Other supplements that may offer benefits for vaginal infections are:

• Chamomile
• Calendula
• Yarrow

Some other supplements that have been studied for acne include:

• Vitamin C
• Nicotinamide
• Zinc
• Green tea
• Resveratrol
• Curcumin
• Licorice
• Chamomile

Discuss these or any supplements you plan to take with your healthcare provider, who can counsel you on drug interactions and precautions.

Sources of Tea Tree Oil & What to Look For

Many supplements are found in foods as well as on the pharmacy shelf.

Food Sources of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is toxic if swallowed, so it's not found in commercially prepared foods or drinks in the United States.

It is an ingredient in some types of toothpaste and mouthwash, so avoid swallowing any of these products.

Tea Tree Oil Supplements

Tea tree oil is most commonly found as a pure essential oil. It's also an active ingredient in lid scrubs, facial cleansers, eyelid patches, gels, shampoos, and eyelid wipes.

As with any supplement, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that you check the Supplement Facts label on your product. This label will contain information about the concentration of the product and any ingredients that have been added.

In addition, look for a product with a seal of approval from a third-party organization providing quality testing. These organizations include USP, ConsumerLab, and NSF.

A seal of approval from one of these organizations does not guarantee the product's safety or effectiveness. Still, it provides assurance that the product was manufactured correctly, contains the ingredients listed on the label, and does not contain harmful contaminants.