Overview
Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil that comes from steaming the leaves of the Australian tea tree.
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.
What the research says
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.
Results might vary because there are no standardized methods for harvesting tea tree oil or creating products containing the oil.
Our take
Generally safe
When used topically, tea tree oil is generally safe and might be helpful in treating acne and other superficial skin infections.
Avoid oral use of tea tree oil, which is toxic when swallowed.
Safety and side effects
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.
Interactions
Although tea tree oil is often used in combination with other drugs when treating bacterial or fungal skin conditions, there's currently no evidence showing drug interactions.
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Aug. 10, 2023
- Tea tree oil. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/tea/treeoil.htm. Accessed Aug. 7, 2017.
- Hammer KA. Treatment of acne with tea tree oil (melaleuca) products: A review of efficacy, tolerability and potential modes of action. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 2015;45:106.
- Tea tree oil. Micromedex 2.0 Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedexsolutions.com. Accessed Aug. 7, 2017.
- Tea tree oil. Facts & Comparisons eAnswers. http://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Accessed Aug. 7, 2017.
- Barker SC, et al. An ex vivo, assessor blind, randomised, parallel group, comparative efficacy trial of the ovicidal activity of three pediculicides after a single application — Melaleuca oil and lavender oil, eucalyptus oil and lemon tea tree oil, and a "suffocation" pediculicide. BMC Dermatology. 2011;11:14.
- Henley DV, et al. Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;356:479.
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FAQs
The aboriginal people of Australia have traditionally used tea tree oil as an antiseptic (germ killer) and an herbal medicine. Today, external use of tea tree oil is promoted for various conditions such as acne, athlete's foot, lice, nail fungus, cuts, mite infection at the base of the eyelids, and insect bites.
Can you put tea tree oil directly on your skin? ›
Applying tea tree oil to the skin is possibly safe. It may cause skin irritation and swelling. In people with acne, it can sometimes cause skin dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness. Cross-reactions: Applying tea tree oil might cause skin itching and burning in people with allergies to other plants.
What should you not use tea tree oil on? ›
When shouldn't it be used? Avoid using tea tree oil if you have eczema, as it could make your condition worse. Also, use caution with inhaling the oil if you have asthma, as it may worsen your symptoms.
What are the benefits of diffusing tea tree oil? ›
When diffused, Tea Tree Essential Oil boosts immunity, fights infections, reduces anxiety, and relieves insomnia as well as congestion. It also eliminates airborne bacteria.
Can you put straight tea tree oil on toenail fungus? ›
Tea Tree Oil
It is an essential oil traditionally used as an antibacterial and antifungal treatment. Early research shows that it may help with nail fungus when used topically. However, more research is needed. If you do use tea tree oil for toenail fungus, only use it topically.
Is tea tree oil good for pain relief? ›
The oil's therapeutic properties penetrate deep into the muscles, promoting relaxation and alleviating pain. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, tea tree oil's analgesic properties can provide natural pain relief without the need for over-the-counter medications.
What happens if you don't dilute tea tree oil on skin? ›
Tea tree oil can irritate skin, especially if applied as an undiluted essential oil. Watch for reactions, such as redness or irritation, within the first two or three weeks after you start using it.
Does tea tree oil remove dark spots? ›
Yes, Tea Tree oil works well to remove dark spots. Its effectiveness comes in its capacity to quickly heal blemishes and wounds, and prevent them from turning into dark spots. Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, it works best on all skin types.
Is tea tree oil antifungal? ›
Tea tree oil has been used traditionally as a topical antiseptic and antifungal treatment. One study found that a dilution of tea tree oil worked as well as 5% benzoyl peroxide in controlling the symptoms of acne. It may be effective with toenail fungus and possibly athlete's foot, but more research is needed.
What are the negative effects of tea tree oil? ›
However, tea tree oil can cause:
- Skin irritation.
- Allergic skin rash (dermatitis)
- Itching.
- Stinging.
- Burning.
- Scaling.
- Redness.
- Dryness.
Tea tree oil is used to keep ants off of produce in agriculture (7). It is also an effective mosquito repellent (8). A test-tube study revealed that tea tree oil had a greater ability to repel mosquitoes than DEET, the most common active ingredient in commercial insect repellents ( 9 ).
What to dilute tea tree oil with? ›
You should not apply tea tree oil directly to skin. It's important to dilute the oil with a carrier oil, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil. For every 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil, add 12 drops of a carrier oil. Also, be careful when using tea tree oil around the eye area.
Does tea tree oil remove skin tags? ›
Although no scientific research has been done on the use of tea tree oil for skin tags, anecdotal reports suggest that it works. People claim that tea tree oil dehydrates skin tags, causing them to dry up and fall off. Skin tags are painless, flesh-colored growths that hang off the skin.
Do bed bugs hate tea tree oil? ›
Bed bugs can't stand the smell of tea tree oil, and once they catch a whiff of it, they will try to leave immediately. Tea tree oil can also affect the condition of their exoskeleton, so it's best to liberally spray this oil on large items in your home if you want your bed bugs to be gone.
What does tea tree oil do for hair? ›
Using small amounts of diluted tea tree oil down the shaft of the hair will help prevent buildup of chemicals and dead skin. This keeps your hair healthy and moisturized, which can help it grow at its normal rate and prevent it from falling out. Dandruff is caused by an accumulation of scaly, dry skin on your scalp.
When should I apply tea tree oil? ›
You can use tea tree oil in the morning or at night. Combine tea tree oil with a witch hazel toner if you have acne, which can be done after cleansing your skin, or combine the oil with a moisturizer (such as coconut oil) as a last step in your evening skin-care routine, if you also have dry or sensitive skin.
Is it safe to rinse the mouth with tea tree oil? ›
The Mayo Clinic says tea tree oil is generally considered safe when applied topically, but to avoid oral use, as it can be toxic when swallowed.
What is the difference between tea tree oil and tea oil? ›
“tea tree” can refer to an actual tea tree or to a number of non-tea trees. “tea oil” can be a toxic essential oil from a non-tea tree (tee tree oil) or can be an ingestible oil made from a tea-family plant (tea seed oil)
