Tea Tree oil
Australian Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is one of Australia's most well known and well documented essential oils. Often referred to as a "Medicine Kit in a Bottle", research and studies are now supporting this terminology with evidence for Tea Tree against bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Melaleuca alternifolia is commonly referred to as the Narrow Leaved Paper Bark Tree, and is a member of the Myrtle family. The oil is produced through steam distillation of the leaves and terminal branchlets. It is a clear to pale yellow mobile liquid, with a fresh, strong medicinal odour.
Melaleuca alternifolia grows on the north coast of New South Wales and South East Queensland, it was originally found in only a small area. From a cottage industry, the notoriety of Tea Tree grew and established an industry where vast plantations were required to meet the demand both locally and internationally.
Indigenous Australians have long held the tree in high regard for its medicinal properties, creating poultices with the crushed leaves and mud to cure a number of ailments including burns, sores, wounds and bites. In 1925, Tea Tree oil was found to have a germicidal rating more than 10 times that of carbolic acid (phenol), the accepted antiseptic of the time. During the Second World War the medicine kits contained Tea Tree oil to help treat various skin conditions and wounds and in 1949 Tea Tree Oil was first listed in the British Pharmacopoeia Codex (B.P.C.).
Tea Tree oil has significant importance as an antiseptic. It is generally suitable for application directly onto the skin without causing irritation, and has the ability to penetrate the skin to reach the site of infection.
There is supporting evidence that concentrations of less than 2% are affective against a range of bacteria and fungi, including Staphylococcus aureus (0.5%), Escherichia coli (0.25%), Candida albicans (0.04%), and Aspergillus niger (0.0156%)ii.
Recent studies have also indicated that Tea Tree oil has significant activity against Herpes Simplex Virus, particularly cold sores in topical applications. This is particularly interesting, as the antiviral properties have been largely overlooked of this medicinal oil.
The 2005 study into the antiviral efficacy of Tea Tree oil showed that at a 2% dilution there was almost 99% viral inactivation in the first 30 minutes, with a further 99% inactivation in the following 30 minutes against HSV 1iii. The major contributors to this activity is thought to be terpinen-4-ol and ? -terpineol, however, it is also suggested that there is a synergy within the oil, and further components may contribute to make the whole oil more antiviral than the individual components.
Tea Tree oil is also beneficial as an insect repellent, or to help relieve the inflammation and pain of bites and stings. Direct application to the site is the most suitable application.There is supporting evidence that concentrations of less than 2% are affective against a range of bacteria and fungi, including Staphylococcus aureus (0.5%), Escherichia coli (0.25%), Candida albicans (0.04%), and Aspergillus niger (0.0156%)ii.
Recent studies have also indicated that Tea Tree oil has significant activity against Herpes Simplex Virus, particularly cold sores in topical applications. This is particularly interesting, as the antiviral properties have been largely overlooked of this medicinal oil.
The 2005 study into the antiviral efficacy of Tea Tree oil showed that at a 2% dilution there was almost 99% viral inactivation in the first 30 minutes, with a further 99% inactivation in the following 30 minutes against HSV 1iii. The major contributors to this activity is thought to be terpinen-4-ol and ? -terpineol, however, it is also suggested that there is a synergy within the oil, and further components may contribute to make the whole oil more antiviral than the individual components.
Tea Tree oil is also beneficial as an insect repellent, or to help relieve the inflammation and pain of bites and stings. Direct application to the site is the most suitable application.
Further applications for Tea Tree oil include acne treatments, dentistry, anti-fungal treatments, deodorants, and preparations for colds, flu, bronchitis, whooping cough and sinusitis.
With Tea Tree oil being non-toxic, non-irritant and generally considered safe it is an excellent choice for many pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.
Antimicrobial Activity of Oil of Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Its Potential use in Cosmetics and Toiletries. Cosmetics, Aerosols & Toiletries in Australia 4 (4), 12-18.?ii Beylier, M.F., 1979, Bacteriostatic activity of some Australian essential oils. Perfumer and Flavorist 4, 23-25.?iii Carson, Dr.C.F., Ashton, L., Dry, L., Smith, Dr. D.W., Riley, Prof.T.V., 2005, Antiviral activity of tea tree oil. Australian Government - Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Pub 05/130
Tea Tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is one of Australia's most well known and well documented essential oils. Often referred to as a "Medicine Kit in a Bottle", research and studies are now supporting this terminology with evidence for Tea Tree against bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Melaleuca alternifolia is commonly referred to as the Narrow Leaved Paper Bark Tree, and is a member of the Myrtle family. The oil is produced through steam distillation of the leaves and terminal branchlets. It is a clear to pale yellow mobile liquid, with a fresh, strong medicinal odour.
Melaleuca alternifolia grows on the north coast of New South Wales and South East Queensland, it was originally found in only a small area. From a cottage industry, the notoriety of Tea Tree grew and established an industry where vast plantations were required to meet the demand both locally and internationally.
Indigenous Australians have long held the tree in high regard for its medicinal properties, creating poultices with the crushed leaves and mud to cure a number of ailments including burns, sores, wounds and bites. In 1925, Tea Tree oil was found to have a germicidal rating more than 10 times that of carbolic acid (phenol), the accepted antiseptic of the time. During the Second World War the medicine kits contained Tea Tree oil to help treat various skin conditions and wounds and in 1949 Tea Tree Oil was first listed in the British Pharmacopoeia Codex (B.P.C.).
Tea Tree oil has significant importance as an antiseptic. It is generally suitable for application directly onto the skin without causing irritation, and has the ability to penetrate the skin to reach the site of infection.
There is supporting evidence that concentrations of less than 2% are affective against a range of bacteria and fungi, including Staphylococcus aureus (0.5%), Escherichia coli (0.25%), Candida albicans (0.04%), and Aspergillus niger (0.0156%)ii.
Recent studies have also indicated that Tea Tree oil has significant activity against Herpes Simplex Virus, particularly cold sores in topical applications. This is particularly interesting, as the antiviral properties have been largely overlooked of this medicinal oil.
The 2005 study into the antiviral efficacy of Tea Tree oil showed that at a 2% dilution there was almost 99% viral inactivation in the first 30 minutes, with a further 99% inactivation in the following 30 minutes against HSV 1iii. The major contributors to this activity is thought to be terpinen-4-ol and ? -terpineol, however, it is also suggested that there is a synergy within the oil, and further components may contribute to make the whole oil more antiviral than the individual components.
Tea Tree oil is also beneficial as an insect repellent, or to help relieve the inflammation and pain of bites and stings. Direct application to the site is the most suitable application.There is supporting evidence that concentrations of less than 2% are affective against a range of bacteria and fungi, including Staphylococcus aureus (0.5%), Escherichia coli (0.25%), Candida albicans (0.04%), and Aspergillus niger (0.0156%)ii.
Recent studies have also indicated that Tea Tree oil has significant activity against Herpes Simplex Virus, particularly cold sores in topical applications. This is particularly interesting, as the antiviral properties have been largely overlooked of this medicinal oil.
The 2005 study into the antiviral efficacy of Tea Tree oil showed that at a 2% dilution there was almost 99% viral inactivation in the first 30 minutes, with a further 99% inactivation in the following 30 minutes against HSV 1iii. The major contributors to this activity is thought to be terpinen-4-ol and ? -terpineol, however, it is also suggested that there is a synergy within the oil, and further components may contribute to make the whole oil more antiviral than the individual components.
Tea Tree oil is also beneficial as an insect repellent, or to help relieve the inflammation and pain of bites and stings. Direct application to the site is the most suitable application.
Further applications for Tea Tree oil include acne treatments, dentistry, anti-fungal treatments, deodorants, and preparations for colds, flu, bronchitis, whooping cough and sinusitis.
With Tea Tree oil being non-toxic, non-irritant and generally considered safe it is an excellent choice for many pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.
Antimicrobial Activity of Oil of Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Its Potential use in Cosmetics and Toiletries. Cosmetics, Aerosols & Toiletries in Australia 4 (4), 12-18.?ii Beylier, M.F., 1979, Bacteriostatic activity of some Australian essential oils. Perfumer and Flavorist 4, 23-25.?iii Carson, Dr.C.F., Ashton, L., Dry, L., Smith, Dr. D.W., Riley, Prof.T.V., 2005, Antiviral activity of tea tree oil. Australian Government - Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Pub 05/130