About Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has been used for many generations to treat varied medical conditions. Scientific studies have shown that the oil does serve a valuable medicinal purpose, however, cautions should be followed to avoid complications.
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History
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Tea tree oil is obtained from the tea tree, which was named the tea tree because long ago it was discovered that its leaves made excellent substitutes for traditional tea leaves. It was also discovered that the oil from the tree provides medicinal relief from many conditions.
How
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In Australia, the Aboriginal people use tea tree oil for many purposes including the treatment of burns, healing cuts and ridding the skin of infection. The leaves are crushed to release the oil and then the leaves are placed directly on the burn, cut or infection daily.
Scientists have found that the oil in the tea tree contains terpenoids, which are known eliminators of fungus and infection. -
Conditions
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Because of its natural ability to fight infection and fungus, tea tree oil is used for many conditions including but not limited to athlete's foot, thrush, dental problems, boils, psoriasis, eczema and yeast infections.
In addition, shampoos containing tea tree oil are sold worldwide to treat dandruff and other conditions of the scalp.
Research
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Several studies have been conducted to test the reliability and effectiveness of tea tree oil on specific conditions. For athlete's foot, a controlled study was done in which placebos were used in half of the 158 study participants for athlete's foot. After four weeks it was determined that the group using the actual tea tree oil had a significant improvement in their athlete's foot as compared to the placebo counterparts.
In that study more than half of the participants receiving tea tree oil had their athlete's foot cured while only 31 percent of the placebo group got relief from of the condition.
According to the Journal of Medicine, another study examined the effect of tea tree oil on toenail fungus and found that as a topical medication applied two times a day, tea tree oil was as effective as the topical anti fungal medication.
A study with participants who had acne also found a significant success rate when tea tree oil gels were applied. There were marked reductions in the amount of inflammation and flare ups with the participants who were given the tea tree oil compared to those who were given placebo gels to use. In addition, the participants who were given tea tree oil gel had fewer side effects than a third group who was given traditional topical medications to use.
Warnings
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According to the American Cancer Society, a recent study showed there are sometimes increased hormone levels in people who use tea tree oil for their conditions, which prompted experts to advise pregnant women, nursing women and anyone with a hormone sensitive cancer not to use tea tree oil products.
A mild allergic reaction to tea tree oil has also been documented, including rashes, redness, itching or blisters.
A more dangerous possible side effect of tea tree oil can occur if it is taken internally. The side effects from ingestion can include diarrhea, problems with the immune system or even death.
Because toothpaste and mouthwashes are not usually swallowed several companies have products containing tea tree oil, which has been shown to reduce mouth fungus and other dental conditions.
The ACS also warns that it is possible to overdose on tea tree oil applications. Symptoms include vomiting, extreme drowsiness, diarrhea and loss of coordination. If these symptoms occur, seek immediate medical attention.
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