Tea Tree Oil For Bacterial & Fungal Infections, MSRA and Yeast By Tea Tree Expert Linda Miles

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Nature´s Antiseptic

Recognized by its unique, pungent odor and pale yellow color, Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic with exciting healing possibilities. Extracted from the leaves of the Australian Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia, this natural treasure grows only in the swampy lowlands of the northeastern coast of New South Wales, Australia. The antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties of Tea Tree Oil make it an ideal essential oil for both clinical applications and as an integral part of your personal first aid kit.

The extremely varied and amazing properties of this oil result from the complexity of its composition: over one hundred compounds make up this oil. Both the individual components and the synergistic reactions between them contribute to Tea Tree Oil´s broad spectrum of beneficial properties.

Like many natural ingredients, Tea Tree has a long history that we are just beginning to discover. The Aborigines used Tea Tree as a disinfectant, for healing baths, to make insect repellent, and to relieve bites and burns.

In the early 1900´s the first research on Tea Tree Oil appeared in the scientific literature. Dr. Arthur R. Penfold found Tea Tree Oil to be many times stronger than the standard germicide of the day and noted that the oil did not harm the healthy skin surrounding the treated wound. Further clinical research found tea tree effective for treating throat and mouth conditions, for skin fungi, and for healing infected wounds.

As research continued, number of uses for Tea Tree Oil increased, and Tea Tree gained even more recognition (Olsen, 3). During World War II both British and American soldiers routinely used Tea Tree Oil as part of their first aid kits. Unfortunately, after the war focus turned to synthetic drugs and interest in Tea Tree Oil did not resurface until the 1970´s.

Treating with Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil can be used both clinically and at home for a variety of conditions including sunburn, prickly heat, dermatitis, psoriasis, tropical ringworm, lice infestation, lesions caused by herpes simplex virus, gingivitis, boils, pimples, cosmetic rashes, gum infections, abrasions, athlete´s foot, toothaches, bacterial skin infections, sore throats, insect bites, and yeast infections.

To treat skin conditions, wounds, and insect bites, you can apply pure oil, a dilution of Tea Tree Oil, or a cream containing Tea Tree Oil directly on the skin. A few drops of Tea Tree Oil can be added to your favorite shampoo to alleviate scalp irritation. For gingivitis or oral ulcers, a few drops can be added to warm water and used to rinse the mouth (Tea Tree Oil should never be ingested). Tea Tree Oil can be added to hand soaps to increase the antimicrobial capacity or added to water in a humidifier to disinfect a room.

Healing Properties

Over the past 70 years, researchers around the world have amassed evidence of the astounding antimicrobial properties of Tea Tree Oil. Most relevant for topical applications is research on fungal infections, acne, and skin lesions. A randomized study conducted in the United Kingdom evaluated the effectiveness of Tea Tree Oil at eradicating the dangerous and increasingly resistant bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) often found in hospitals. A 5% Tea Tree body wash and a 10% Tea Tree Cream were compared to the standard treatment of a 4% chlorhexidine soap and a 1% silver sulfadiazine cream. Two groups of MRSA positive patients were treated with one of the above treatments. After two weeks, sample swabs were collected from different areas of the body and from skin lesions and analyzed for the presence of MRSA. The Tea Tree treatment was more effective than the standard treatment in eradicating MRSA from skin lesions, suggesting a role for Tea Tree Oil in treating certain kinds of antibiotic-resistant infections (Dryden, Dailly, and Crouch, 2004).

A clinical trial conducted in Australia evaluated the efficacy of Tea Tree Oil as a treatment for acne. The study compared a 5% Tea Tree gel to a 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion. Patients were divided into two groups and evaluated after one, two, and three months for number of inflamed and non-inflamed skin lesions and adverse effects including oiliness, erythema, scaling and dryness. After three months, the Tea Tree gel was as effective as the benzoyl peroxide lotion at relieving patients´ acne with significantly fewer side effects (Basset, Pannowitz, and Barnetson, 1990). Traditional acne treatments are often drying and lead to skin irritation and sensitivity. This research clearly shows that Tea Tree Oil provides an effective natural treatment for acne without the adverse side effects.

Natural healers have used Tea Tree Oil to treat fungal infections for years, but clinical research has only recently begun to investigate this. One study compared topical application of pure Tea Tree Oil and a 1% clotrimazole solution (a pharmaceutical anti-fungal agent) for the treatment of nail fungus. After six months, researchers concluded that Tea Tree Oil was as effective as clotrimazole solution at treating the fungal infection, improving nail appearance and reducing symptoms (Buck, Nidorf, and Addino, 1994). Other studies have evaluated the efficacy of Tea Tree Oil for tinea pedis (athlete´s foot), vaginal candidosis, and oral candidosis in HIV patients, all with promising results.

As the research continues, science is validating what the Aborigines first taught us and will perhaps discover benefits of Tea Tree Oil that have not been discovered. In the meantime, we can safely use this natural antiseptic. It deserves a place in our medicine cabinets and first aid kits.

Tea Tree Oil should not irritate the skin, but it is always a good idea to try a patch test first. Place a few drops of the oil on the inside of your arm and wait a few minutes. If any irritation occurs, discontinue use.

References

Basset, I.B., Pannowitz, D.L., and Barnetson, R.S. "A Comparative Study of Tea Tree Oil Versus Benzoylperoxide in the Treatment of Acne." The Medical Journal of Australia 153 (1990): 455-458.

Buck, D.S., Nidorf, D.M., and Addino, J.G. "Comparison of Two Topical Preparations for the Treatment of Onychomycosis: Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil and Clotrimazole." The Journal of Family Practice 38 (1994): 601-605.

Dryden, M.S., Dailly, S., and Crouch, M. "A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Tea Tree Topical Preparations Versus a Standard Topical Regimen for the Clearance of MRSA Colonization." Journal of Hospital Infection 56 (2004): 283-286.

Olsen, Cynthia. Australian Tea Tree Oil Guide. Colorado: Kali Press, 1997.

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