Tea Tree Oil and Its Use in Aromatherapy

Abstract

Tea tree oil or TTO as it is widely known, is an essential oil with a pale yellow color and distinctive odor, obtained by steam distillation from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, which is a native Australian plant. In vitro and in vivo research have shown that it has mainly, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal as well as anti-inflammatory properties. TTO is composed of terpene hydrocarbons, namely the main monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and their associated alcohols. Three of its well-known compounds are 1.8-cineol, α-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol, the latter being the most active one. The ability of these components to disrupt the permeability of cytoplasmic membrane structures of bacteria makes TTO effective on methicillin-resistant bacteria and predominant especially in hospital-acquired Staphylococcus aureus infections. In this review historical, and morphological information about M. alternifolia plant, chemical properties related to TTO and the mechanism of antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal actions will be explained, relying extensively on existing literature.  Diverse mixtures made of fixed and essential oils relating to TTO that are used as a broad-spectrum antibacterial for some skin infections and acne; for some vaginal fungus infections; for throat infections; for aphthae and cold sore on the basis of the oil’s antiviral effect; for skin and nail fungus on the basis of its antifungal property as well as TTO’s use in aromatherapy and phytocosmetics will also be illustrated.

Keywords

• Aromatherapy,Melaleuca alternifolia,TTO,Tea tree,phytotherapy

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