Introduction

Tea tree is a tree with white flowers. Oil from its leaves has been used to get rid of harmful bacteria. It has also been used to promote healing in skin problems such as wounds and acne. Tea tree is most often applied as an oil, but it is also available as a gel, cream, or ointment.

Dosages

There are no advised doses for tea tree.

What Research Shows

Likely Effective

  • Acne —likely to improve symptoms when used with standard treatment A1, A2

May Be Effective

  • Athlete’s foot —may improve symptoms B1
  • Dandruff—may improve severity and itching C1
  • Eye mites—may ease discomfort and reduce number of mites D1
  • Head lice—may reduce symptoms when used with lavender oil F1
  • Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)—may heal skin sores J1
  • Onychomycosis—may cure infection K1, K2

Not Enough Data to Assess

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

It is likely safe to use tea tree oil on the skin, but allergic reactions, skin irritation, and inflammation may happen in some people. L1, L2 Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.

References

REFA Acne

REFA1 Cao H, Yang G, et al. Complementary therapies for acne vulgaris. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;1:CD009436.

REFA2 Enshaieh S, Jooya A, et al. The efficacy of 5% topical tea tree oil gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2007 Jan-Feb;73(1):22-25.

REFB Athlete’s Foot

REFB1 Satchell AC, Saurajen A, et al. Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with 25% and 50% tea tree oil solution: a randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study. Australas J Dermatol. 2002 Aug;43(3):175-178.

REFC Dandruff

REFC1 Satchell AC, Saurajen A, et al. Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002 Dec;47(6):852-855.

REFD Eye mites

REFD1 Koo H, Kim TH, et al. Ocular surface discomfort and Demodex: effect of tea tree oil eyelid scrub in Demodex blepharitis. J Korean Med Sci. 2012;27(12):1574-1579.

REFE Gingivitis

REFE1 Soukoulis S, Hirsch R. The effects of a tea tree oil-containing gel on plaque and chronic gingivitis. Aust Dent J. 2004 Jun;49(2):78-83.

REFF Head lice

REFF1 Barker SC, Altman PM. A randomised, assessor blind, parallel group comparative efficacy trial of three products for the treatment of head lice in children—melaleuca oil and lavender oil, pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide, and a “suffocation” product. BMC Dermatol. 2010;10:6.

REFG Hemorrhoids

REFG1 Joksimovic N, Spasovski G, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of hyaluronic acid, tea tree oil and methyl-sulfonyl-methane in a new gel medical device for treatment of haemorrhoids in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Updates Surg. 2012 Sep;64(3):195-201.

REFH Idiopathic Hirsutism

REFH1 Tirabassi G, Giovannini L, et al. Possible efficacy of Lavender and Tea tree oils in the treatment of young women affected by mild idiopathic hirsutism. J Endocrinol Invest. 2013 Jan;36(1):50-54.

REFI Molluscum Contagiosum

REFI1 Markum E, Baillie J. Combination of essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia and iodine in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children. J Drugs Dermatol. 2012 Mar;11(3):349-354.

REFJ MRSA

REFJ1 Dryden MS, Dailly S, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of tea tree topical preparations versus a standard topical regimen for the clearance of MRSA colonization. J Hosp Infect. 2004 Apr;56(4):283-286.

REFK Onychomycosis

REFK1 Buck DS, Nidorf DM, et al. Comparison of two topical preparations for the treatment of onychomycosis: Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and clotrimazole. J Fam Pract. 1994 Jun;38(6):601-605.

REFK2 Syed TA, Qureshi ZA, et al. Treatment of toenail onychomycosis with 2% butenafine and 5% Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil in cream. Trop Med Int Health. 1999 Apr;4(4):284-287.

REFL Safety

REFL1 Rubel DM, Freeman S, et al. Tea tree oil allergy: what is the offending agent? Report of three cases of tea tree oil allergy and review of the literature. Australas J Dermatol. 1998 Nov;39(4):244-247.

REFL2 Posadzki P, Alotaibi A, et al. Adverse effects of aromatherapy: a systematic review of case reports and case series. Int J Risk Saf Med. 2012 Jan 1;24(3):147-161.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
  • Review Date: 07/2019
  • Update Date: 03/27/2020