tea tree oil (TTO) (the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia) is immensely popular for various topical applications
in vitro studies have repeatedly demonstrated that it has antibiotic activity
a systematic review (1) of the from randomised clinical trials for or against effectiveness of external TTO in dermatological conditions.
only 4 trials were located
they suggest that TTO may be effective as a treatment of acne and fungal infections
the evidence is promising but by no means compelling
adverse effects of TTO are usually mild and transient. They mainly consist of allergic reactions
the authors concluded that, so far, there is no compelling evidence to show that TTO is efficacious in any dermatological condition. However, in view of promising findings, TTO deserves to be investigated more closely
an in-vitro study examined the ability of tea tree oil to inhibit Candida albicans conversion from the yeast to the pathogenic mycelial form (2) TTO inhibited the conversion of C. albicans from yeast to the mycelial form at a concentration of 0.16% (v/v). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 0.12% to 0.50% (v/v) for yeasts and 0.12% to 1% (v/v) for dermatophytes; the cytocidal activity was generally expressed at the same concentration
if considered along with the lipophilic nature of the oil which enables it to penetrate the skin, these results suggest it may be suitable for topical therapeutic use in the treatment of fungal mucosal and cutaneous infections
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