Ingredient: Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the tea tree "Melaleuca". The tea tree was named by eighteenth century sailors, who made tea that smelled like nutmeg from the leaves of the tree growing on the swampy southeast Australian coast. Do not confuse the tea tree with the unrelated common tea plant that is used to make black and green teas.

Melaleuca is a member of the myrtle family of plants. There are well over 200 species, most of which are endemic to Australia. Depending on the species, they grow as shrubs or trees from between 2 and 80 feet tall. The leaves are evergreen. The bark is often flaky and exfoliate (hence the name ï¿½ï¿½paper-bark' for some species of Melaleuca). The flowers, which vary from white thorough yellow or even greenish to pink and red, are produced in dense clusters along the stem with fine, small petals and a tight bundle of stamens which mature to produce a small woody cup-shaped capsule, 2-3 mm in diameter, which is packed with tiny seeds (up to 60 000 per gram). Tea trees are named either from the brown coloration of many watercourses caused by the leaching of tannins from the leaves of this and similar species, or alternatively it has been said that Captain James Cook named the tea tree because he observed the indigenous Bundjalung people of eastern Australia use the leaves to prepare a healing tea.

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

Tea tree oil is available as an oil and in many over-the-counter skin products, including soaps and lotions. However, tea tree oil should not be taken orally. If swallowed, it can cause serious symptoms.

How does it work?

The chemicals in tea tree oil may kill bacteria and fungus, and reduce allergic skin reactions.

Results might vary because there are no standardized methods for harvesting tea tree oil or creating products containing the oil, however, current research on tea tree oil use for specific conditions shows:

Acne. Research suggests that a treatment gel containing tea tree oil might be 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 foot.

Lice. When used in combination with lavender oil, tea tree oil has been shown to be effective at treating lice eggs.

Nail fungus. Research 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.

Most people can use tea tree oil topically with no problems. However, tea tree oil can cause:

Skin irritation

Allergic skin rash (dermatitis)

Itching

Stinging

Burning

Scaling

Redness

Dryness

Don't use tea tree oil if you have eczema. Tea tree oil is toxic when swallowed. Serious side effects can occur, including:

Confusion

A lack of muscle control or coordination of voluntary movements (ataxia)

Decreasing levels of consciousness

One study suggests that repeated exposure to lavender oil and tea tree oil might have led to the swelling of the breast tissue (gynecomastia) in young boys.