Tea Tree Oil (Australian tea tree oil, cymeme, melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleuca oil, oil of melaleuca)
Classes: Dermatology, Herbals
Suggested dosing of Australian tea tree oil, cymeme (tea tree oil)
Acne
Apply 5% gel topically daily
Onychomycosis
Apply 100% solution topically BID x 6 mth
Tinea pedis
Apply 10% cream topically BID x 1 mth Or
25-50% solution applied BID x 1 mth
Suggested uses of Australian tea tree oil, cymeme (tea tree oil)
Acne, athlete's foot, ear infections, insect bites/stings, lice, local antiseptic, onychomycosis, ringworm, scabies, skin surface infections
Efficacy
Possibly effective for acne, fungal skin infections, onychomycosis
Australian tea tree oil, cymeme (tea tree oil) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Allergic contact eczema
Allergic contact dermatitis
Local irritation/inflammation
Ototoxicity (otitis use)
Warnings
Contraindications
None reported
Cautions
None reported
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: N/A
Lactation: N/A
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Australian tea tree oil, cymeme (tea tree oil)
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of action
Terpinen-4-ol has broad-spectrum antibacterial & antifungal properties
Alpha-terpineol & linalool also antimicrobiaL
