Tea Tree (oil): benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
Melaleuca alternifolia
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Eucalyptol
Terpineols
Monoterpenes
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Acne ✪✪✪✪✪
Tea tree is an effective natural solution for treating acne, as demonstrated by several clinical studies. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that a 5% tea tree oil gel was effective for treating mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Another randomized, single-blind clinical study involving 124 patients showed that a similar gel significantly improved acne condition and reduced the number of lesions. The benefits were comparable to those of 5% benzoyl peroxide, but the tea tree oil gel was better tolerated and caused fewer side effects. A more recent small clinical study in patients with mild to moderate acne shows that applying a topical nanoemulsion of tea tree oil with 0.1% adapalene gel (a retinoid used to treat acne) once daily for 12 weeks reduces acne lesions and improves acne severity scores compared with adapalene gel alone. Tea tree essential oil can be combined with fine lavender essential oil to treat acne — 2 drops of each oil mixed into a vegetable oil and applied once or twice daily.
Posologie
Topical: leaf
5%
45 days
gel, essential oil
Synergies
European Union herbal monograph on Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden and Betch) Cheel, M. linariifolia Smith, M. dissitiflora F. Mueller and/or other species of Melaleuca, aetheroleum
The efficacy of 5% topical tea tree oil gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study
A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne
Toenail infection, Athlete's foot ✪✪✪✪✪
Tinea pedis and onychomycosis are common fungal conditions affecting, respectively, the skin of the feet and the nails. Tea tree oil has been widely studied for its effectiveness against these infections. For tinea pedis, creams containing 25% and 50% tea tree oil have shown a significant improvement in symptoms and high cure rates. Regarding onychomycosis, 100% tea tree oil was as effective as 1% clotrimazole, improving nail appearance and reducing symptoms. Three months after the end of treatment, continued improvement or complete resolution was observed. Additionally, the indications from the EMA and ESCOP recognize the properties of tea tree oil in the treatment of fungal infections. ESCOP specifically cites its use for tinea pedis, onychomycosis, and other skin infections. The EMA, for its part, recognizes tea tree oil as a traditional medicinal product for the relief of mild itching and irritation due to athlete's foot, as well as for the treatment of minor superficial wounds and minor inflammations of the oral mucosa.
Posologie
For topical use: leaf
25%
essential oil, cream
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
European Union herbal monograph on Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden and Betch) Cheel, M. linariifolia Smith, M. dissitiflora F. Mueller and/or other species of Melaleuca, aetheroleum
Lice ✪✪✪✪✪
In vitro studies and anecdotal reports suggest that tea tree oil is very effective against head lice. It showed 100% mortality of lice within 30 minutes at a concentration of 1%. Components such as phenols and phenolic ethers appear to be responsible for this activity.nnIn combination with lavender oil, it also has ovicidal effects and reduces the number of live lice. A pediculicidal treatment containing 10% tea tree oil and 1% lavender oil has been successfully tested in children.nn
Posologie
Topical application: leaf
10%
essential oil
Synergies
A comparison of botanical and synthetic substances commonly used to prevent head lice (Pediculus humanus var. capitis) infestation
Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs
A randomized, assessor-blind, parallel-group comparative efficacy trial of three products for the treatment of head lice in children--melaleuca oil and lavender oil, pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide, and a "suffocation" product
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Dandruff ✪✪✪✪✪
Tea tree oil has been found effective at improving, though not eradicating, dandruff, according to a randomized, single-blind study. In this study, a shampoo containing 5% tea tree oil was tested against a placebo in 126 patients with mild to moderate dandruff over a four-week period. The group using the tea tree oil shampoo observed a 41% improvement, compared with only 11% in the placebo group, without adverse side effects. This shampoo, used daily for three minutes before rinsing for four weeks, reduced the total area and severity of scalp lesions by 23% to 28%, as well as the severity of dandruff, itching, and greasiness. However, it did not improve scalp flaking.
Posologie
Topical: leaf
5%
essential oil, shampoo
Candidiasis, Vaginal infections, Fungal infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Candidiasis and vaginal infections, such as vaginitis and cervicitis, can be effectively treated with tea tree oil, a remedy supported by in vitro studies and limited clinical data. ESCOP recognizes the use of tea tree oil for vaginal infections such as trichomonas vaginitis and vaginal candidiasis. Similarly, the EMA mentions its use in treating symptoms of mild irritations in inflammatory conditions of the mucous membranes. A specific clinical example includes the intravaginal application of tampons soaked in a diluted emulsified tea tree solution, which successfully cured vaginitis and cervicitis in 130 patients infected with Trichomonas vaginalis. In addition, vaginal suppositories containing 0.2 g of tea tree oil inserted each night, combined with daily douches using a 0.4% tea tree oil solution, led to a clinical cure of trichomonas vaginitis. For vaginal candidiasis, a reported case shows that a five-day treatment with 200 mg of tea tree oil succeeded in eradicating anaerobic bacterial vaginosis. Although additional clinical evidence is needed, in vitro studies confirm the moderate efficacy of tea tree oil against Candida albicans.
Posologie
Topical use: leaf
0.4%
essential oil
Effect of plant oils on Candida albicans
The essential oil of Melaleuca Alternifolia in the treatment of vulvo vaginitis
A comprehensive review of vaginitis phytotherapy
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Gingivitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Tea tree oil has been studied for its potential in treating gingivitis. A small preliminary clinical study found that a mouthwash containing 3 to 4 drops of pure tea tree oil in water, used 2 to 3 times a day after brushing for 14 days, is as effective as a 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash used twice daily in reducing plaque, bleeding, and improving gum health. In addition, brushing with a gel containing 2.5% tea tree oil twice a day for 8 weeks reduced papillary bleeding, but did not improve plaque or the severity of plaque-induced gingivitis. Combined products containing tea tree oil have also been studied. Clinical research shows that rinsing with 10 mL of a solution containing tea tree oil, clove, and holy basil (Tulsi) at 0.2% to 0.3% each, for 30 seconds twice a day for 21 days, reduces gum inflammation by 76% from baseline. The EMA recognizes tea tree oil as a traditional product used for the relief of minor inflammations of the oral mucosa.
Posologie
Oral use: leaf
2.5%
gel, essential oil
Synergies
The effects of a tea tree oil-containing gel on plaque and chronic gingivitis
Tea Tree Oil versus Chlorhexidine Mouthwash in Treatment of Gingivitis: A Pilot Randomized, Double Blinded Clinical Trial
European Union herbal monograph on Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden and Betch) Cheel, M. linariifolia Smith, M. dissitiflora F. Mueller and/or other species of Melaleuca, aetheroleum
Herpes, Warts ✪✪✪✪✪
Tea tree has antiviral properties, notably against herpes simplex virus (HSV). A study showed that the topical application of a 6% tea tree gel slightly reduced the re-epithelialization time of labial herpetic lesions, although it did not reach statistical significance due to the small sample size. Tea tree is also used against warts; its effectiveness mainly relies on its content of terpinen-4-ol, an active compound recognized for its antiviral action and its ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms responsible for skin lesions. A preliminary study conducted on children (mean age 6.3 years) with molluscum contagiosum (water-borne viral warts) showed that a preparation containing 75% tea tree essential oil (standardized to 40% terpinen-4-ol) combined with iodine, applied locally at 4 µL twice a day for 30 days, significantly increased lesion resolution compared with the use of tea tree oil or iodine alone. This synergistic effect reinforces its potential as an effective treatment for warts.
Posologie
Topical use: leaf
6%
gel, essential oil
Synergies
Comparative study on the antiviral activity of selected monoterpenes derived from essential oils
Combination of essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia and iodine in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children
Properties
Antibacterial
Tea tree oil is recognized for its antibacterial effectiveness against a wide range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). This antibacterial activity is mainly attributed to its ability to disrupt the permeability barrier of the microbial cell membrane, resulting in a loss of chemiosmotic control and protein denaturation. Purified components of the oil, notably terpinen-4-ol, show stronger antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities than the whole oil, acting in a manner similar to pharmaceutical disinfectants such as chlorhexidine.
Usages associés
Antifungal
Tea tree oil exhibits notable antifungal activity against various pathogenic fungi in laboratory studies. It inhibits the growth of the yeast Candida albicans and also affects the in vitro growth of the yeast Malassezia, which is commonly present on human skin. Its efficacy extends to fungi such as Aspergillus flavus, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and Pityrosporum ovale. Components of tea tree oil, such as terpinen-4-ol, gamma-terpinene and 1,8-cineole, demonstrate antifungal effects against Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium culmorum and Pyrenophora graminea. These antifungal properties have been confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies, reinforcing its potential use in the treatment of fungal infections.
Usages associés
Antiviral
Tea tree oil demonstrates antiviral activity in laboratory studies, effective against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. It has also been shown to be effective in treating hand warts caused by the human papillomavirus and has inhibited replication of the H1N1 influenza virus.
Usages associés
Antiparasitic
Tea tree oil shows notable efficacy against parasites, including lice, as demonstrated in human studies. As with its antibacterial activity, the antiparasitic efficacy of tea tree oil is due to its ability to disrupt the cell membrane, preventing parasites from maintaining the conditions necessary for their survival.
Usages associés
Dermatologic effect
Preliminary clinical research conducted on healthy young adults shows that applying tea tree essential oil at a dose of 1 ml per day for 90 days improves skin elasticity compared with placebo.
Hormonal metabolism
Studies on human cell lines have shown that tea tree oil has estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities. These properties could explain cases of prepubertal gynecomastia observed after topical use. Prepubertal gynecomastia is a medical condition characterized by enlargement of breast tissue in boys before the onset of puberty.
Safe dosage
Adult: 5% - 100% (gel, essential oil, cream)
- External application: liquid or semi-solid preparations containing 5-10% tea tree oil. Higher concentrations have been used for certain conditions, for example tinea pedis (25-50%) or onychomycosis (100%).nn- Female genital tract according to indication: suppositories containing 200 mg of tea tree (approximately 10% in an oily vehicle) or tampons/douches containing solutions of 0.4-20% of the oil.nn- Acne: 5% essential oil in a cream or gel applied daily.nn- Contact dermatitis: preparation at 20-50% tea tree.nn- Dandruff: shampoo with 5% tea tree oil applied daily for at least 4 weeks.nn- Gingivitis: oral gel at 2.5% - brush teeth with the preparation twice a day for 8 weeks.nnnnOral intake is not recommended. Tea tree essential oil has been reported to cause significant toxicity when used orally.nn
Child aged 6 to 12 years:
Tea tree oil can be considered potentially safe for children when used appropriately and only for topical application. 5% tea tree oil preparations have been used in children without problems.nnHowever, the oral use of tea tree oil is not recommended. Ingestion of this oil can be toxic and poses serious health risks. nn
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Essential oils are not recommended for pregnant women.nn
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Essential oils are not recommended for breastfeeding women.nn
