Tea tree Oil Scientific name: Melaleuca alternifolia Common name: Melaleuca oil
Background/History Tea tree oil comes from distilled tea tree leaves from the steam method. The tea tree grows on the swampy southeast coast of Australia. The Latin name of the tea tree oil is Melaleuca alternifolia. The aboriginal people of Australia use tea tree oil as herbal medicine and antiseptic.
Common uses The tea oil is used externally for fungus, cuts, acne, athlete's foot, lice, nail, mite infection at the base of the eyelids, and insect bites.
Pharmacology/Mechanism of Action The tea tree oil contains components of terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol that can disrupt the structure and function integrity of the bacterial membrane.
Dosage Forms
Dosage forms are liquid, gel, spray, soap, cream, oil, and ointment.
Typical Dosing ●
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Decolonization of MRSA: Tea tree oil as a nasal cream (4% to 10%) applied three times a day for five days and 5% body wash for five days. Prevention of MRSA colonization: Body wash containing 5% tea tree oil daily. Acne vulgaris: 5% tea tree oil gel applied for 20 minutes twice daily, then washed off. Onchomycosis (fungal nail infections): 100% tea tree oil applied for six months. Tinea pedis (athlete's foot): 25% to 50% tea tree oil for four weeks.
Bao Van, Student pharmacist Spring 2022
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