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TEA TREE – Oil of importance from Australia |
Tea Tree is an oil of importance. During World War II it was considered so important that the cutters who cut the branches of the tree for the distilleries were exempt from military service. Tea tree oil was studied during the 1920s and 1930s and its antiseptic properties became well known with reports in current medical and dental journals. After the war Tea Tree got somewhat forgotten with the growth of antibiotics and new synthetic chemicals. Tea Tree grew wild in remote locations in New South Wales. Then in 1976 Christopher Dean of Thursday Plantation developed the first Tea Tree plantation, using the best variety of the wild tree. Since then much of the development of the Tea Tree worldwide has been based on this work.
What is unique about Tea Tree oil is its high antiseptic anti-microbial action against a wide variety of micro-organisms, its anti-inflammatory nature, and its low toxicity. Regarding using the oil safely the most important point is, as with all oils, that the oil must be in a bottle with an integral dropper insert so a child cannot drink a large quantity by accident. Skin irritation and sensitisation with Tea Tree oil can occur but are very rare.
Because of its wide uses in both cosmetic products and as neat oil, Tea Tree oil has inevitably attracted the attention of both regulators and the media. The Australian Tea Tree Industry Association represents over 70% of the world’s oil producers and is actively in dialogue with regulators in the EU. They are currently preparing a safety dossier for the European Scientific Committee for Cosmetic Products, who are questioning the safety of Tea Tree oil in cosmetic products.
They are also preparing a response to the recent media reports which suggest that if a person uses Tea Tree oil products regularly on their skin repeatedly, any MRSA on their skin could develop increased resistance to the antibiotics used to control MRSA infections. This is not so. What Robert Reid, a microbiologist who has been formulating products with Tea Tree oil for over 25 years has written ‘The microbiocidal mode of action of Tea Tree oil is to damage the microbial cell wall and membrane, resulting in its death. No genetic evolution of the organism in response to wholesale cell damage as caused by Tea Tree oil or chlorine or hydrogen peroxide can occur. It follows that an acquired immunity or resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics will not occur with tea tree oil. If the Tea Tree oil concentration in a Tea Tree oil product is too low it will not be microbiocidal, but it will not breed “Super Bugs”.’ In short, Tea Tree oil will not cause MRSAs to develop resistance to antibiotics |
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Report on the use of essential oils on a post-operative infection “A 49-year-old man had sustained an open fracture to his left tibia. He underwent debridement and insertion of an intramedullary nail. Eighteen months later the wound still had not healed and, despite continuous antibiotic therapy, he had chronic MRSA osteomyelitis. Amputation was being considered. In December 2000, via a 3 cm percutaneous incision, the lower tibia was washed out with 4,000 mls of saline, then packed with calcium sulfate pellets impregnated with essential oils of West Indian lemongrass eucalyptus, tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), clove, and thyme in an ethanol base. One ml of the essential oil mixture was administrated daily via a catheter. The dilution and ratio of the essential oils was not given. Three months later, the wound had healed and the culture was clear. An x-ray showed complete healing. The authors comment that essential oils have a strong antimicrobial action, are inexpensive and simple to use, and can be used topically.” Dr. E.Sherry, Orthopedic Surgeon, BMC Surgery 2002.. |
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Massage Oils The range was developed in cooperation with the Obus School of Healing Therapies, with both practising Aromatherapists and students taking part in trials to ensure the quality and efficacy of each blend. Using a massage blend combined with another treatment such as herbal/ supplement can often be more effective than either treatment on their own. For example, someone taking glucosamine for arthritis could be helped by also using Sports/Aches & Pains blend. Someone taking a herbal remedy for menopause could benefit from using Detox, Rose or Clary Sage blends. |
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