Tea Tree Oil: Effect, Uses & Risks

Tea tree oil, actually Australian tea tree oil, belongs to the group of essential oils. Native to Australia, tea tree is grown and cultivated to produce the oil.

Occurrence and extraction

Tea tree oil is the name given to the essential oil extracted from the twigs and leaves of the tea tree, which is mainly found in Australia. Tea tree oil is called the essential oil extracted from the twigs and leaves of the tea tree. This tree is mainly found in Australia and is therefore also called Australian tea tree, the Latin name is Melaleuca alternifolia. This plant species, which belongs to the myrtle family, grows particularly in the Australian states of New South Wales and Queensland. James Cook gave the Tea Tree its name when he landed on the east coast of Australia as part of an expedition in 1770. Tea tree oil, obtained by steam distillation, has been known for centuries by the local Aborigines as a remedy for many diseases. As early as between 1920 – 1930, tea tree oil met with scientific interest and was used in Australia in traditional medicine as a local antiseptic. In recent years, tea tree oil has come back into the public eye as a healing natural substance.

Effect and application

The effect of tea tree oil is based primarily on the main ingredient terpinen-4-ol. This chemical compound is about 40% in tea tree oil and also gives it its typical fresh and spicy smell. A good tea tree oil for domestic use should still contain at least 30% terpinen-4-ol. However, chemical analyses have identified a total of about 100 different ingredients. Tea tree oil is known for its extremely efficient antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal action. Even the indigenous people of Australia used it as a remedy for wound healing, skin infections, colds and inflammations of the oral cavity. These applications have been taken up by modern science, resulting in products such as shampoos, bath additives, deodorants, dental care products and soaps to which tea tree oil has been added. Depending on the use, the preparations must contain the oil in an appropriate concentration, especially when used in the oral cavity, it must be highly diluted. Tea tree oil is also contained in various cosmetics as a preservative. In its pure form, it is also commercially available and can thus serve a wide variety of purposes. A few drops of tea tree oil dissolved in water makes an excellent mouthwash. For insect bites, the oil relieves itching and swelling. Prophylactically, it can also be used as a fragrance pure or in an aroma lamp as an insect repellent. Creams with tea tree oil for the treatment of acne are also on the market, as well as hair care products against dandruff or lice infestation of the scalp. Even in veterinary medicine there are medicines enriched with the essential oil of tea tree, such as remedies to combat skin parasites. Tea tree oil is also extremely versatile in animals, but an overdose is to be avoided at all costs and before an application in any case the veterinarian to consult, because under certain circumstances the ingredients of the oil can cause poisoning symptoms in animals.

Importance for health, treatment and prevention

Tea tree oil fights bacteria, viruses and fungi and because of this has been able to gain a firm place in alternative medicine. Various skin diseases, such as acne, psoriasis, dellwarts and skin fungus can be treated successfully and naturally with it. Also illnesses of the rheumatic form circle belong to the treatment spectrum of the tea tree oil. For coughs, smokers’ coughs and colds, tea tree oil can help to heal more quickly. However, care must always be taken to use the correct dosage, as some of the oil’s components are extremely potent and may cause contact allergies or even poisoning. For this reason, high-percentage, pure tea tree oil has been classified as a harmful substance by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. However, the commercially available preparations are tested cosmetics or natural remedies, so that any allergies that may occur in some people are due to their individual predisposition.But in general, tea tree oil is well tolerated and versatile due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Tea tree oil is a little all-rounder and can even be used as an additive to cleaning products to disinfect rooms and prevent the formation of mold. In any case, when buying tea tree oil or products with the essential oil of the Australian tea tree should pay attention to good quality and ecological production, because the quality and purity of tea tree oil determine its effectiveness.