The slightly yellowish tea tree oil with the typical, slightly spicy smell found in many cosmetics and toiletries use – for example, in face creams, Shampoos or pimples pencils. In addition, some use the pure Oil for the domestic self-treatment.
Externally applied tea tree oil an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal effect unfold. The effect of tea tree oil is investigated of all, it’s only for a few areas of application – and rarely good. Secure study results are not yet available basically.
Tea tree oil for pimples
Possibly tea tree oil can help against acne. To this purpose, usually creams, gels or Oils with 5 percent tea tree oil to use. Isolated studies suggest a slightly positive effect on pimples to recognize. In comparison to a treatment with a 5% solution of benzoyl peroxide conditions were reported in the study of rare side effects such as skin irritation.
Tea tree oil against nail fungus
Nail fungus is often stubborn and fight, even with the drugs can sometimes be difficult. He may also find that using tea tree oil treat – in this case, much higher concentrations than in the fight against pimples, however, are necessary. According to a study, the success rate under the study conditions are apparently better than with the active ingredient clotrimazole: Statistically improved at about six out of ten victims, six months of twice daily 100% tea tree oil solution on the nails of hand-me-downs, the complaints in whole or in part. Two of the ten Concerned were then to be free of nail fungus.
Tea tree oil for cold sores
Tea tree oil is said to have in addition to anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects, anti viral effects. In the test tube, the can confirm. If tea tree oil against cold sores works, is most people are not well-studied. Even if the individual reports that you cold sore patches by tea tree oil, this is, as yet, studies do not confirm.
Other applications for tea tree oil
In addition to pimples, nail fungus tea tree oil can help with many other health problems, for example, against:
- Shed
- Dental plaque
- Inflammation of the gums
- The smell of the mouth
- Thrush
- Hemorrhoids
- Lice
The previous study results, however, in relation to these examples, as yet, no safe conclusions to. Problematic for evaluation is often that the commercially available tea tree oil products are set may be different than used in the studies. Even if a study has evidence of slightly positive effects in the case of scales with a 5%dilution of tea tree oil Shampoo, it does not mean that a dandruff Shampoo from the trade with a 5% solution of tea tree oil works as well.
As a General rule: Carry you 100%pure tea tree oil, better not apply undiluted on skin or mucous membranes. To avoid skin irritation, it should be the tea tree oil in cosmetics or toiletries to a maximum of 5 percent.
Risk of Allergy due to tea tree oil
If the ingredients of tea tree oil coming into contact with oxygen, they begin to oxidize. The more oxidation products accumulate, the more increases the potential for Allergies. Of freshly distilled tea tree oil, no Allergy risk, basically. This is changing rapidly. Already from the fourth storage day, the concentrations of some oxidation products are already ten-fold. In a large-scale investigation, each of the second subject showed almost allergic skin reactions to tea tree oil.
Australian Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is mainly from the leaves of the Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) won, sometimes also from the leaves of Melaleuca linariifolia , or Melaleuca dissitiflora. These include such as the Australian tea tree of the Myrtle family (Myrtaceae). With the Tea plant, which is used for Black or green tea, has to do of tea tree anything.
By steam distillation is obtained from tea tree leaves is an essential Oilthat is versatile use. It is made up of about 100 components, of which not all are known. Among the ingredients, among other things, various terpenes, cineole and myrcene.
As a high quality tea tree oil is classified to be, the terpinene-4-ol content of at least 30 percent, and the 1,8-cineole content less than 15 percent are.
Sources
Tea tree oil for pimples? Online information from the Department for evidence-based medicine and Evaluation at the Danube University Krems as well as by Cochrane Austria is: www.medizin-transparent.at (retrieval date: 20.12.2019)
Tea tree oil can be more than pleasant to smell. Online information of the German pharmacist’s newspaper: www.deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de (status: 25.4.2019)
Tea Tree Oil. Online information from the Mayo Clinic: www.mayoclinic.org (status: 24.10.2017)
Tea Tree Oil. Online information from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: nccih.nih.gov (status: 1.12.2016)
Opinion on Tea Tree Oil. Online-information of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products of European Commission: ec.Europe.eu (as of 16.12.2008)
Reichling, J., et al.: Australian tea tree oil (Melaleucae aetheroleum). Swiss journal of holistic medicine, no. 18, p. 193-200 (2006)
Use of undiluted tea tree oil as a cosmetic product. Online information of the German Federal Institute for risk assessment: bfr.bund.de (status: 1.9.2003)
Ernst, E.: Practice Paturheilverfahren. Springer, Heidelberg, 2001
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*The contribution of “tea tree oil: a natural remedy with Allergy potential,” will be published by Onmeda. Contact with the executives here.