I found a great review article on
Melaleuca alternifolia, also know as Tea Tree Oil, in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Click the link to read the article. I will highlight a few points from the paper. This essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the
Melaleuca alternifolia tree, which is native to Australia.
 |
| http://www.onlineplantguide.com/Plant-Details/3162/ |
- Melaleuca alternifolia has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiprotozoal activity
- Over 30% of the oil is composed of terpinen-4-ol, a monocyclic terpene alcohol
- Most of the antimicrobial activity is attributed to terpinen-4-ol
- Many bacteria are susceptible to Melaleuca alternifolia at concentrations less that 1%
- Melaleuca alternifolia most likely kills bacteria by disrupting the cell membrane
- One
study found that treatment of acne with 5% Melaleuca alternifolia was
as effective as treatment with 5% benzoyl peroxide (commonly found in
acne face wash treatments)
The table below shows the MIC, the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial that will inhibit growth of a microorganism, of Melaleuca alternifolia against several bacterial species.
E. coli is susceptible to concentrations of Melaleuca alternifolia as low as 0.08%.
 |
| Carson et al. 2006 |
For more detailed information, please read the
article.
Thanks for stopping by!
8 oz of hot water or tea (green tea or black tea)
