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Medical information on Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Melaleuca Alternifolia.

Scientific research reveals Tea Tree Body Wash (a 5% solution blend) can prevent and also treat staph infections of the skin in critically ill hospital patients. Tea tree body wash is also successfully used by healthy people as a natural anti-biotic to help stear away potential skin infection and help your body and skin become infection-resistant and beautiful looking too.

Tea Tree Oil (also known as Melaleuca Oil) works in combating staph infections including MRSA infections, and when used at a 10% tea tree oil concentration has never been shown to cause body resistance to the oil. However, there has been some medical evidence of resistance to the tea tree oil at lower percentages, including commonly used 5% tea tree oil concentrations. In the event your Tea Tree Oil lotion is a low concentration blend such as 5% or less you might consider buying 100% tea tree oil and mixing a few teaspoons or tablespoons into your lotion. However, use caution when doing that blending as too strong a tea-tree-oil solution may result in skin irritation. TeaTreeOil can also be an important part of your Skin Care Regimen for overall skin beauty and skin-health.

New medical research studies show Tea Tree Oil Soap and Tea Tree Oil Body Wash and Lotion may prevent and treat infections and help or cure skin acne and skin issues. Tea tree oil soap may be used by people as a natural anti-biotic to help stop skin infections and in-effect help your skin become infection-resistant and good looking similar to quality  Botanical Oil body lotions and professional preventive care  for your skin and skin health.

Tea tree oil is purported to have antiseptic properties and has been used traditionally to prevent and treat infections. While numerous laboratory studies have demonstrated anti microbial properties of tea tree oil (likely due to the compound terpinen-4-ol), only a small number of high-quality trials have been published.

Human studies have focused on the use of topical tea tree oil for fungal infections (including fungal infections of the nails and athlete's foot), acne, and vaginal infections.

However, there is a lack of definitive available evidence for the use of tea tree oil in any of these conditions, and further study is warranted.

Tea tree oil should not be used orally; there are reports of toxicity after consuming tea tree oil by mouth.

When tea tree oil is applied to the skin, tea tree oil is reported to be mildly irritating and has been associated with the development of allergic contact dermatitis, which may limit its potential as a topical agent for some patients.

Acne vulgaris - Although available in many products, little information is available from human studies to evaluate the benefit of tea tree oil used on the skin for the treatment of acne. Tea tree oil may reduce the number of inflamed and non-inflamed lesions.

Allergic skin reactions - Early small studies show that tea tree oil applied to this skin may reduce histamine-induced inflammation. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Athlete's foot - Early studies report that tea tree oil may have activity against several fungal species. However, at this time there is not enough information to make recommendations for or against the use of tea tree oil on the skin for this condition.

Bad breath - Tea tree oil is used in mouthwash for dental and oral health. However, there is currently insufficient evidence in humans to recommend for or against this use of tea tree. Tea tree oil can be toxic when taken by mouth and therefore should not be swallowed.

Dandruff - Early research reports that the use of 5% tea tree oil shampoo on mild-to-moderate dandruff may be effective and well tolerated. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Dental plaque/gingivitis - Study results on the effects of tea tree oil mouthwash on gum inflammation and plaque are mixed. Further research is needed before a strong conclusion can be drawn.

Eye infections - Early studies found that tea tree oil helped rid the eye area of the mite infection caused by ocular parasitic mites. Large, well-designed clinical trials are needed before a strong recommendation can be made.

Fungal nail infection - Although tea tree oil is thought to have activity against several fungus species, there is not enough information to make recommendations for or against the use of tea tree oil on the skin for this condition.

Genital herpes - Laboratory studies show that tea tree oil has activity against some viruses, and it has been suggested that a tea tree gel may be useful as a treatment on the skin for genital herpes. However, there is currently not enough information to make a recommendation for or against this use of tea tree oil.

Lice - Early studies have found that tea tree alone or in combination with other agents may be effective against lice. However, large, well-designed trials are still needed before a strong recommendation can be made.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) chronic infection (colonization) - Laboratory studies report that tea tree oil has activity against methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA). It has been proposed that using tea tree oil ointment in the nose and a tea tree wash on the body may treat colonization by these bacteria. However, there is currently not enough information from human studies to make recommendations for or against this use of tea tree oil.

Thrush (Candida albicans of the mouth) - In laboratory studies, tea tree oil has been shown to kill fungus and yeast such as  Candida albicans . However, at this time, there is not enough information available from human studies to make recommendations for or against this use of tea tree oil. Tea tree oil can be toxic when taken by mouth and therefore should not be swallowed.

Vaginal infections - In laboratory studies, tea tree oil has been shown to kill yeast and certain bacteria .  However, at this time there is not enough information available from human studies to make recommendations for or against this use of tea tree oil for vaginal infections. Although tea tree oil may reduce itching caused by yeast or bacteria, it may cause itching from dry skin or allergy.

Allergies

There are many reports of allergy to tea tree oil when taken by mouth or used on the skin. Skin reactions range from mild contact dermatitis to severe blistering rashes. People with a history of allergy to tea tree oil to any of its components, or to plants that are members of the myrtle (Myrtaceae) family, balsam of Peru, or benzoin, should not use tea tree oil. Use cautiously if allergic to eucalyptol as many tea tree preparations contain eucalyptol.p

Side Effects and Warnings

Tea tree oil taken by mouth has been associated with potentially severe reactions, even when used in small quantities. Several reports describe people using tea tree oil by mouth who developed severe rash, reduced immune system function, abdominal pain, diarrhea, lethargy, drowsiness, inflammation of the corners of the mouth, slow or uneven walking, confusion, or coma. There have also been reports of nausea, unpleasant taste, burning sensation, and bad breath associated with tea tree oil use. Many tea tree preparations contain large volumes of alcohol.

When used on the skin, tea tree oil may cause allergic rash, redness, blistering, and itching. This may be particularly severe in people with pre-existing skin conditions such as eczema. Use of tea tree oil inside of the mouth or eyes can cause irritation. Animal research suggests that tea tree oil used on the skin in large quantities can cause serious reactions such as difficulty walking, weakness, muscle tremor, slowing of brain function, and poor coordination. When applied in the ears of animals, 100% tea tree oil has caused reduced hearing, although a 2% solution has not led to lasting changes in hearing. The effect of tea tree oil on hearing when used in the ears of humans is not known.

Pregnancy and Breast-feeding

Not enough scientific information is available to recommend tea tree oil during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Animal studies suggest caution in the use of tea tree oil during childbirth because tea tree oil has been reported to decrease the force of spontaneous contractions, which theoretically could put the baby and mother at risk. Women who are breast feeding should not apply tea tree oil to the breast or nipple since it may be absorbed by the infant.