Tea Tree Oil

Used by Aboriginal peoples in Australia to treat a variety of skin conditions, tea tree oil gained wide acceptance after being employed by the Australian military in World War I. Tea tree oil's mechanisms are very well documented, and include antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Laboratory tests have shown tea tree oil to be effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi, making it especially valuable in treating acne and athlete's foot.

1. Carson CF, Riley TV. Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia-A review. Lett Appl Microbiol 1993;16:49–55.

2. Carson CF, Cookson BD, Farrelly HD, Riley T. Susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia. J Antimicrobial Chemother 1995;35:421-4.

3. Koh KJ, et al. Tea tree oil reduces histamine-induced skin inflammation. Br J Dermatol 2002;147:1212-7.

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