Melaleuca alternifolia

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.

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