Melaleuca Oil - Tea Tree Oil Essential Oil

What is that

Melaleuca oil - better known as Tea Tree Oil - is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant belonging to the Myrtaceae family.

Very well known and appreciated for its antimicrobial properties, melaleuca oil is successfully used for the treatment of various skin disorders.

Composition

Production and Composition of Melaleuca Oil

The melaleuca oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of the homonymous plant which - in theory - should be previously stored for a period of at least six weeks.

The main constituent of melaleuca oil is represented by terpinen-4-ol, present in concentrations ranging from 30% to 45%. In addition to terpinen-4-ol, there are also:

γ-terpinene (in concentrations of about 15%);
α-terpinene (in concentrations of about 8%);
1, 8-cineole (in concentrations of 5-6%);
α -terpineol (in concentrations of 5%);
α-pinene;
Limonene;
p-cimolo;
terpinolene;
Viridiflorene.

Terpinen-4-ol, in addition to being the most present component, seems to be the main responsible for the antimicrobial properties ascribed to melaleuca oil.

Property

Property of the Melaleuca Oil

The melaleuca oil has many properties which - having been amply demonstrated and confirmed - have allowed its use in phytotherapy and cosmetic fields.

These properties will be briefly described below.

Antibacterial properties

As mentioned, melaleuca oil has antibacterial properties, amply demonstrated by several studies. In detail, the melaleuca oil seems to be able to exert its antibacterial action through the denaturation of the proteins of the cytoplasmic membrane of microorganisms.

Among the bacteria sensitive to the antibacterial action of the melaleuca oil we find the Bacillus subtilis, the Enterococcus faecalis, the Escherichia coli, the Moraxella catarrhalis, the Streptococcus pyogenes and the Staphylococcus aureus .

Antifungal properties

Melaleuca oil has also been shown to have interesting antifungal properties. More precisely, this oil has proved to be active against various fungi and yeasts capable of causing skin, mucous and cutaneous appendages disorders, such as Malassezia furfur, Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis .

Furthermore, in a study conducted on the antifungal properties of the melaleuca oil, the use of the pure product in the treatment of onychomycosis of the feet showed an efficacy similar to the treatment performed with clotrimazole (an antifungal drug).

Anti-inflammatory properties

In addition to its antimicrobial properties, melaleuca oil also appears to possess anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, a clinical study showed that melaleuca essential oil is able to reduce histamine-induced skin inflammation.

Yet another study has shown the anti-inflammatory efficacy of melaleuca oil in the treatment of gingivitis.

Antiparasitic properties

Finally, melaleuca oil can be useful as a natural remedy against lice infestation. Indeed, studies conducted on the subject have shown that the product is effective both on adult specimens and on eggs.

uses

Uses of Melaleuca Oil

Melaleuca oil can be found pure, or in topical formulations such as creams, ointments, hydrogels or emulsified solutions, and can be used in the following cases:

Insect bites, itching and skin inflammation : due to its anti-inflammatory properties, melaleuca oil can be useful in case of insect bites, itching and inflammation of the skin. Although it can also be used pure, for this type of indication, it is advisable to dilute a few drops in a little aloe gel. Alternatively, on the market there are products already appropriately diluted and specially formulated for the treatment of the aforementioned disorders.
Acne : the application of products based on melaleuca oil can be effective in the treatment of mild and moderate acne vulgaris. This application of melaleuca oil has been the subject of numerous studies. From one of these it emerged that the use of products based on melaleuca oil has a slightly lower efficacy compared to products based on benzoyl peroxide, but - at the same time - it causes fewer unwanted effects.
Boils : the application of a drop of essential oil directly on the boil can be useful to facilitate its resolution.
Gingivitis : the application of special gels based on melaleuca oil on inflamed gums can promote the resolution of gingivitis. In this context the use of melaleuca oil-based solutions with which it is possible to make rinses can also be useful.
Affections of the upper respiratory tract : performing fumigations with the melaleuca oil can be useful for relieving and relieving the upper respiratory tract in case of colds, sinusitis and bronchitis.
Vaginal infections : due to its effectiveness in combating fungi and yeasts such as Candida albicans, melaleuca oil can be used to prepare solutions for intimate washes. In this regard, there are many women who delight in the preparation of do-it-yourself vaginal lavages. However, such a practice is definitely not recommended unless expressly prescribed by the doctor. Therefore, in the case of vaginal candidiasis, before resorting to any natural remedy it is always good to consult your doctor and / or your gynecologist.

Please note

Usually, melaleuca oil is used for external use. Oral intake of the product is not prohibited but is however highly discouraged due to the potential and dangerous adverse effects that may occur. However - if you really can't avoid it - oral administration should only be done with the advice of a doctor and only under his strict supervision.

Side effects

Generally, melaleuca oil is well tolerated even by the most sensitive skin. However, cases have been reported in which the application of both pure oil and preparations containing it has caused the appearance of contact dermatitis.

Overdose

In the event of accidental ingestion of large quantities of melaleuca oil, even very serious symptoms may occur, such as disorders of motor coordination, difficulty in walking, ataxia, drowsiness and mental confusion. Taking the product in very high doses can even lead to coma.