In the late 1700's, Captain James Cook was exploring the South Pacific when he "discovered" Australia and was greeted by friendly aboriginals. He and his crew were likely not in the best physical condition after a lengthy time at sea, and the local inhabitants helped them with mysterious remedies: teas and oils derived from the sacred waters of a lagoon where the leaves of a small, bushy tree fell. The teas alleviated the discomforts of mouth ulcers, sore throats and even digestive complaints. When applied to cuts, burns and other skin disorders, the oils seemed to be a miracle cure!

A Long History of Effectiveness

The crew quickly learned that a pleasant, spicy and refreshing tea could be brewed from the scrubby bush's leaves, and therefore referred to the bush as the tea-tree. In fact, a botanist accompanying Captain Cook, Joseph Banks, named it the Australian Tea Tree. The Tea Tree, or Melaleuca alternifolia, grows about 20 feet high in bushy thickets, and is native only to the swampy lowland region in the northeast of New South Wales, Australia, although it is also grown commercially in plantations outside this area.

Tea Tree Oil is made using only the leaves, which are harvested by hand and distilled with steam to produce a pale yellow, non-staining oil with a pleasant aroma. The main components of tea tree oil are terpenes and cineols, which penetrate the skin with minimal irritation and exhibit a mild germicidal action.

Although there are few recent studies into how it works, tea tree oil was studied in the 1920's by Dr. Arthur Penfold, who demonstrated its promise, and the oil remained an important treatment for skin ailments through World War II, until the more powerful antibiotics were discovered.

Uses and Availability

Tea Tree Oil is a mild antiseptic, fungicide and liniment and has been used to treat a variety of topical conditions - both acute and chronic, including:

• Acute Lesions. Cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites (and as an insect repellant)
• Infections. Impetigo, herpes, cold sores, boils, acne.
• Chronic Disorders. Psoriasis, dandruff.
• Dental/Oral Treatment. Oral ulcers, gingivitis, thrush.
• Foot Problems. Athlete's foot, corns, itchy or smelly feet.
• Vaginitis. Yeast (Candida), trichomonas.

Tea tree oil is particularly good for children because it doesn't sting on contact. Lately, it has shown promise for acne, where it mixes with the oils on the skin for superior penetration. Tea tree oil has also been shown to reduce scarring.

Australian Tea Tree Oil is commercially available in a variety of products including lotions, creams, liniments, soaps, shampoos and toothpastes. The most common forms are oils of 8% and aqueous solutions of up to 40%; oils are more potent than aqueous solutions, which make the use of lower strengths possible. These are usually applied full-strength, two to three times a day, but if sensitivity is still a problem, it can be further diluted. Stronger solutions show increased likelihood of sensitivity, without a corresponding improvement in effectiveness.

To treat vaginitis, a douche can be prepared of ½ to 1% Tea Tree Oil in 1 quart of warm water, or a tampon saturated with a 40% solution used once daily. It appears to be completely safe for topical or vaginal use (except for people who are allergic), with no known toxicity. Avoid getting Tea Tree Oil into your eyes. Oral ingestion is not recommended.

Promising Future?

More than 25% of today's drugs were originally derived from natural plant sources: A.S.A. from willow bark, penicillin from fungi, and the promising new cancer treatment, Taxol, from the yew tree. While some well-controlled clinical studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of Australian Tea Tree Oil, the evidence from its safe, effective history indicates a good potential for its future!

Ease of use, combined with no antiseptic sting, makes tea tree oil suitable for a wide range of first-aid applications, and therefore is a valuable addition to the household medicine cabinet or travel kit.

Compiled by Tracie & William Der
Island Apothecary, Gabriola Island, B.C.
Edited by Megan Stiles
Last Reviewed: September 2001