Tea tree oil
Melaleuca alternifolia
Supplements. Pacific & Southeast Asia and Western & European.
Also called Australian tea tree, Melaleuca oil
Spanish: Árbol del té
Toxic if swallowedEssential oil steam-distilled from an Australian tree, used on the skin for acne, dandruff, and minor infections.
Did you know? The name 'tea tree' is said to come from Captain Cook's crew, who brewed the leaves as a drink. The plant is not the tea plant.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Skin. Small trials, including a placebo-controlled trial of 60 people, found a 5% gel reduced mild to moderate acne. One older comparison found it works more slowly than benzoyl peroxide.Early proof
- Infections. Small trials suggest it may help athlete's foot and nail fungus. Results are limited.Early proof
- Hair & nails. A small trial found a tea tree shampoo eased dandruff. The study was small and short.Early proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Aboriginal Australians, including the Bundjalung people, used crushed leaves on wounds, skin problems, and colds.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Antimicrobial, Antifungal. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Used diluted on the skin, usually as a 5% gel, cream, or shampoo. Never use the undiluted oil on skin, and never swallow it.
Topical and essential oil.
Where to get it
The tree grows wild in eastern Australia and is farmed there. Oil is steam-distilled from the leaves, and gels, creams, and shampoos are sold in pharmacies and health stores.
Be careful
Swallowing the oil can cause confusion, poor coordination, and coma, and children are at highest risk. Undiluted oil can burn skin, and old oil can cause contact allergy. Case reports link tea tree and lavender products to breast growth in young boys, and cats and dogs can be poisoned by it.
Avoid if: children under 12; contact allergy.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Often diluted in a carrier oil like coconut oil for skin use.
- Works well together
Both are used in skin toners and blemish care.
The honest take
Tea tree oil has real but small evidence for mild acne, dandruff, and some fungal infections. Its best use is on the skin, in diluted form. It is risky by mouth, and results are usually slower than standard drugs.