TEATREE MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA

TEATREE (Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel) ++

Australians rarely agree with our taxonomy for teatree. And they should know.

Activities (Teatree) :
Antibacterial (1; APA; JAD; PH2; SKY); Antiseptic (2; APA; JAD; PH2; WAM); Antispasmodic (f; PNC); Antiviral (1; JBU; PH2); Candidicide (1; APA); Diaphoretic (f; PNC); Expectorant (f; PED); Fungicide (1; APA; PH2; SKY; WAM); Pediculicide (f; APA); Rubefacient (1; PED); Trichomonicide (1; APA).

Indications (Teatree) :
Acne (1; APA; JAD; PH2; SKY); Arthrosis (f; APA); Athlete’s Foot (1; APA; JAD; SKY); Bacteria (1; APA; JAD; PH2; SKY); Bite (f; PH2); Boil (1; APA); Bruise (f; APA); Bug Bite (f; APA; PH2); Bunion (1; APA); Burn (f; APA; PH2); Callus (1; APA); Candida (1; APA; JAD; SKY); Cold (1; PED); Colitis (f; PH2); Corn (1; APA); Cramp (f; PNC); Cystosis (1; APA); Dandruff (f; APA); Dermatosis (1; APA; PH2; WAM); Fever (f; PNC); Fungus (1; APA; JAD; PH2; SKY; WAM); Gingivosis (f; PH2); Headache (f; PED); Infection (1; APA; JAD; PH2; SKY; WAM); Mucososis (f; PH2); Myalgia (f; APA); Mycosis (1; APA; PH2; SKY; WAM); Odontosis (f; PH2); Onychosis (1; JAD; WAM); Pediculosis (f; APA); Pharyngosis (f; PH2); Respirosis (f; PH2); Sinusosis (f; PH2); Sore (1; APA); Stomatosis (1; APA; PH2); Sunburn (f; APA); Tonsilosis (f; PH2); Toothache (f; PED); Vaginosis (1; APA; JAD; SKY); Varicosis (f; APA); Virus (1; JBU; PH2); Wart (f; APA); Wound (1; APA); Yeast (1; APA).

Dosages (Teatree) :
Topical as directed StX (>30% terpinen-4-ol <15% cineole); 0.05–0.2 ml cajuput oil (PNC); 0.3–2 ml cajuput spirit (PNC).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Teatree) :
Not covered (AHP). None at designated doses (PH2). Topical and vaginal irritation have been reported, but the “topical use of the oil has not generally been associated with toxicity.” Still, “the topical use ... cannot be recommended at this time” (LRNP, January 1991). As with most EOs, this one may induce dermatosis in sensitive individuals. Naturopaths Yarnell and Meserole (1996) caution that tea tree oil “must not be applied to allergic dermatosis (eczema) because it will make this condition worse.” For external use only with small children, diluted 1 to 2 drops tea tree oil to 1 tsp of another oil (almond, olive, etc.) (WAM). Not for internal use (WAM). Overdosage (10 ml in child) led to confusion and discoordination, 70 ml led to coma (PH2).