tea tree oil at a glance
Medicine type
Traditional herbal medicinal product and essential oil
Main uses
Minor wounds, insect bites, small boils, mild acne, minor mouth inflammation and symptoms of mild athlete’s foot
Routes
For use on the skin or, after dilution, as a mouth rinse or gargle
Key safety point
Do not swallow, inhale or put in the eyes or ears
What is tea tree oil used for?
The selected product is registered for the following uses based on traditional use only:
Small superficial wounds and insect bites
Small boils and mild acne
Symptomatic relief of minor inflammation of the mouth lining
Relief of itching and irritation associated with mild athlete’s foot
How does tea tree oil work?
Tea tree oil contains antimicrobial monoterpenes, including terpinen-4-ol. Laboratory studies suggest these components disturb microbial cell membranes, increasing permeability and interfering with respiration; the clinical importance varies by organism and condition.
How to take tea tree oil
Use only by the route and method stated in the product leaflet. Depending on the condition, it may be dabbed onto the skin with a cotton bud or used in a diluted dressing or foot soak. For mouth inflammation it must be diluted, used as a rinse or gargle and spat out. Do not swallow, inhale or apply it to the eyes or ears.
Stop using it if a rash develops.
Seek clinical advice for worsening symptoms, fever, pus, spreading redness, severe acne or suddenly inflamed skin.
Keep the container tightly closed and protected from light and heat.
tea tree oil side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reported, with frequency unknown: burning, smarting, stinging or irritation
- Reported, with frequency unknown: itching, redness or swelling
- Contact dermatitis or another allergic skin reaction
Get urgent medical advice
- A rare burn-like skin reaction
- Sudden facial, mouth, tongue or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or collapse may indicate a severe allergic reaction
tea tree oil in pregnancy
Safety during pregnancy has not been established, so the selected product is not recommended during pregnancy. Ask a doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner before considering use.
tea tree oil while breastfeeding
Safety during breastfeeding has not been established, so the selected product is not recommended while breastfeeding. Seek professional advice before use.
tea tree oil interactions
No medicine interactions are reported in the selected product information. This does not prove that interactions are impossible; check with a pharmacist if using other products on the same area.
Common questions about tea tree oil
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can tea tree oil be swallowed?
No. It is not for oral ingestion, and a diluted mouth rinse must be spat out. Get immediate medical advice after accidental swallowing; ingestion by a child is an emergency.
Can tea tree oil be used for acne?
The selected product is traditionally used for mild acne and small boils. Severe, widespread, infected, oozing or suddenly inflamed acne needs clinical assessment.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.