Overview

Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil that comes from steaming the leaves of the Australian tea tree.

When used topically, tea tree oil is believed to be antibacterial. Tea tree oil is usually used to treat acne, athlete's foot, lice, nail fungus and insect bites.

Tea tree oil is bachelor as an oil and in many over-the-counter peel products, including soaps and lotions. However, tea tree oil should not exist taken orally. If swallowed, it tin can crusade serious symptoms.

Evidence

Research on tea tree oil use for specific conditions shows:

  • Acne. Research suggests that a handling gel containing tea tree oil might exist effective at relieving acne.
  • Dandruff. A tea tree oil shampoo used for four weeks has been shown to be effective at treating dandruff.
  • Athlete's foot. A tea tree oil cream, applied twice daily for one month, has been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms of athlete's human foot.
  • Lice. When used in combination with lavender oil, tea tree oil has been shown to be constructive at treating lice eggs.
  • Nail fungus. Enquiry hasn't shown tea tree oil used in its pure form or in combination with other antifungal therapies to be effective in treating toenail fungus.

Results might vary because there are no standardized methods for harvesting tea tree oil or creating products containing the oil.

Our have

Green light: Generally safe

Generally safe

When used topically, tea tree oil is mostly safety and might be helpful in treating acne and other superficial pare infections.

Avoid oral use of tea tree oil, which is toxic when swallowed.

Rubber and side effects

About people can use tea tree oil topically with no issues. However, tea tree oil can cause:

  • Peel irritation
  • Allergic skin rash (dermatitis)
  • Itching
  • Stinging
  • Called-for
  • Scaling
  • Redness
  • Dryness

Don't utilise tea tree oil if y'all have eczema.

Tea tree oil is toxic when swallowed. Serious side effects tin can occur, including:

  • Defoliation
  • A lack of muscle command or coordination of voluntary movements (ataxia)
  • Decreasing levels of consciousness

One written report suggests that repeated exposure to lavender oil and tea tree oil might accept led to the swelling of the breast tissue (gynecomastia) in immature boys.

Interactions

Although tea tree oil is frequently used in combination with other drugs when treating bacterial or fungal pare atmospheric condition, there'south currently no testify showing drug interactions.

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Nov. xiv, 2020