Tea Tree's Use In Traditional Medicine

Overview

There is a lot to be learned from traditional remedies and medicines. Often, there is a reason these practices are so widely used by indigenous populations or were used in earlier times. The use of the tea tree plant for one, has been used in a variety of different remedies by Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islanders in Eastern Australia.

Indigenous Australians have used tea tree oil for skin care, insect repellent, respiratory health, and oral health. While not all uses and remedies have scientific backing behind them, some do and have been proven to have positive effects. There is a lot of evidence to support that the oil extracted from tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties that cause the success of some of these remedies.

For these reasons tea tree essential oil has gained traction in modern and more Westernised remedies, and products that incorporate tea tree oil are quite popular. In this article, we will discuss the ins and outs of traditional tea tree remedies, modern research related to these remedies and others.

Background of tea tree

Tea tree, scientifically known as Melaleuca alternifolia, is native to Eastern Australia and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine practices by indigenous Australians.^1,2 They would use the leaves from tea trees and either crush them from the tea trees to release the natural oils and carry out traditional remedies.^1,2

The essential oils of tea trees have been extracted using steam distillation in Australia in modern practices for around 100 years.¹ Research into the medicinal qualities of tea trees has been carried out since the 1930s, when researchers documented the effectiveness of tea tree oils at healing wounds, determining that they had antiseptic qualities.¹ While most of the distribution of tea tree essential oil comes from Australia, other countries such as China and South Africa also produce and export a large amount.¹ Today it is mass-produced and used in many skin care and cosmetic products. 

Chemical composition and properties

The most abundant chemical compound in tea tree essential oil is called Terpinen-4-ol.^1,2 This makes up around 35-50% of the oil’s composition.¹ This compound produces potent antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses.² This makes tea tree oil an effective natural remedy for treating various skin infections that are due to microbes.²

Tea tree oil also contains cineole, which can have effects on the body that alleviate respiratory conditions. However, whether the use of tea tree oil has this effect, is still up for debate.² Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties due to compounds like alpha-terpineol and gamma-terpinene.² These help to soothe and heal the skin.

Traditional medicinal uses

In Australia, the tea tree plant is traditionally used by the First Nation Australians for several different purposes.² Some of these include treating insect bites, skin conditions, wounds, and burns.² It has also been recorded that First Nations people used tea trees to treat upper respiratory tract infections.¹ 

• Bug repellent: Tea tree oil has been used as a natural repellent for insects and spiders.^3,6 The scent from the leaves was rubbed on the skin and it has been through to prevent insect, spider and parasite bites due to its anti-parasitic effects. This can include things like lice, fleas, mites, and bed bugs⁶
• Insect bites and stings: Tea tree has also been used by native Australians to soothe and treat irritation from insect bites and stings by things like mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests.¹ It reduces redness, irritation, and soothes the skin
• Skincare: One of the most renowned uses of tea tree oil is in skincare. Aboriginal communities historically applied tea tree oil topically to treat cuts, wounds, and skin infections due to its powerful antibacterial properties³
• Respiratory health: Inhalation of tea tree oil vapour was a traditional remedy for respiratory conditions such as coughs, colds, and infections. Its expectorant properties help to clear the airways and alleviate symptoms of respiratory infections
• Oral health: Aboriginal communities used tea tree leaves to improve oral hygiene. They would chew on the leaves or use the water from boiling them as a mouthwash
• Hair and scalp care: tea tree oil has been traditionally used to promote scalp health, treating dandruff and other scalp conditions. This also soothes irritation or itching on the scalp

Contemporary applications and research

The use of tea tree essential oil has been adopted in modern practices and cosmetics in many different ways.¹ It can be bought as a pure essential oil or diluted with a carrier oil and some topical creams contain compounds extracted from tea trees as their active ingredients.^1,2 It is used topically on the skin for rashes, burns, acne, fungal infections, and bites.¹

Tea tree oil is also used extensively in cosmetic products like shampoos, soaps, body wash, and moisturisers or creams.¹ It is also used in things like aromatherapy for a calming effect and in other household products.¹

Research supports that tea tree essential oil has antimicrobial effects that have been researched and supported by many studies.¹ It has anti-fungal, anti-viral, and antibacterial effects that may improve symptoms of infections.¹ There is some evidence that tea tree essential oil reduces acne, particularly when it is caused by bacteria or fungi.¹

Evidence from some studies indicates that tea tree essential oil can be a suitable treatment for tinea, a fungal infection that causes flaky and peeling skin on the feet, also known as athlete’s foot. It can also be used to treat fungal infections on the scalp or nails for conditions like dandruff.¹ It is currently a very prominent ingredient in many shampoos and creams due to research supporting its efficacy.¹

There is also some research on the use of tea tree oil for reducing oral inflammation including things like mouth ulcers and gum inflammation.¹ There is no substantial evidence that tea tree oil is effective in preventing infections and reducing bacterial overgrowth in the mouth, however, some research suggests that using mouthwash made with 0.2-0.5% tea tree can be preventative of plaque.¹

While some traditional remedies involve using tea tree for respiratory tract infections or inflammation of the digestive system, there is no clinical or scientific evidence to support this.¹ While topical use of tea tree oil on the skin is perceived to be safe in the research, there is uncertainty when ingesting tea tree oil or applying it close to the eye.¹ This should be done with caution to avoid any unwanted adverse reactions and when applying tea tree oil on the skin it should be below a 15% concentration to avoid any irritation on the skin.¹

Limitation of Tea Tree Oil

Dissimilar to most other medications and remedies, tea tree oil is without some limitations and side effects. It may irritate the skin and, for some people a burning sensation.¹ Tea tree oil is also an allergen, common in Australia, causing non-life-threatening allergic reactions for some people.¹ Tea tree oil should also not be ingested and should be kept out of reach of young children. If you decide to use tea tree oil, it is important to discontinue using it if you experience any skin irritation or allergic reactions.

Summary

Tea tree oil, derived from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia (the tea tree), is known for its versatile medicinal properties. Tea trees are native to Eastern Australia and have long been used in traditional remedies by the Indigenous Australian communities.

Indigenous Australians incorporated traditional remedies such as using oils from crushed tea tree leaves or the water from boiling the leaves to treat various skin conditions, respiratory illnesses, oral health, and to repel or treat insects and their bites. Today, it remains a popular ingredient in natural skincare products, offering relief for acne, insect bites, and other skin conditions that irritate. Tea tree oil, while natural, could still cause irritation or allergic reactions for some people, as well, many traditional remedies may have no scientific backing.

So it is important to note these things and use with caution, particularly if you have sensitive skin. Overall though, incorporating tea tree oil into modern healthcare and wellness practices demonstrates efficacy through its soothing effects, and more and more research uncovers its benefits.