Tea tree oil and AIDS

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Tea tree oilUpdated: Aug 01, 2003 Tea tree oil is an extract of the Australian

shrub Melaleuca alternifolia which has been in use by the Aboriginal peoples of

Australia for centuries to treat many different conditions.

 

Research into the use of tea tree oil as an antiseptic and antifungal has been

going on since the 1930s. In 1937 it was shown that an undiluted solution of tea

tree oil could be used safely in the treatment of skin conditions, thrush,

gingivitis, psoriasis and mouth ulcers (Penfold). Subsequent laboratory tests

have shown that tea tree oil is active against a wide range of bacteria and

fungi in very low concentrations, including forms of Staphylococcus and Candida.

There is also evidence that tea tree oil solutions are effective in treating a

range of bacterial and fungal infections in people (Martin; Groppo).

 

In 1960 a study of 96 cases of vaginal thrush showed resolution of symptoms in

all cases after six treatments of 0.4% tea tree oil solution (Feinblatt). In

1985 a study of 28 women suffering vaginal thrush demonstrated disappearance of

symptoms in 23 of 28 women treated with pessaries of tree tea oil (Belaiche).

Consulting a trained herbalist in the use of tea tree oil is advised because

concentrated solutions of tea tree oil can cause severe pain and burning.

 

Tea tree oil is widely used in Australia as a treatment for athlete's foot and

other fungal infections of the feet. In 1972 it was reported that 58 of 60

patients applying tea tree oil to the affected area experienced an improvement

in symptoms; in 38 cases symptoms were either eliminated or virtually

disappeared (Walker).

 

In vitro evidence indicates that tea tree oil may be an effective treatment for

skin infections caused by the Malassezia species of fungi, such as seborrhoeic

dermatitis (Hammer 2000). Tea tree oil can also stimulate profuse sweating if

used as a bath oil, but may act as an anti-fungal prophylaxis if used in this

way.

 

There are also anecdotal reports and observational evidence of success in

treating gum disease and infected wounds with tea tree oil solutions (Groppo).

 

Tea tree oil products may also be effective against oral and vaginal thrush. In

vitro data demonstrating the anti-fungal activity of tea tree oil against

Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species has been published (Hammer

1998).

 

In HIV-infected people, tea tree oil solutions may be effective against oral

candidiasis which is resistant to fluconazole (Vazquez; Jandourek).

 

Key research

 

 

Vazquez treated 27 HIV-infected people with a tea tree oil solution four times

daily for a month for the treatment of oral candidiasis which was resistant to

the standard anti-fungal agent fluconazole. 60% responded, and seven people had

complete cure.

 

Jandourek studied the efficacy of Melaleuca oral solution in the treatment of

fluconazole-resistant candida of the throat and mouth in 12 HIV-positive

individuals.15ml of Melaleuca solution was swished and expelled 4 times a day

for 2-4 weeks. At week 4, 2 people were cured of thrush and 6 improved.

 

Martin reviewed scientifically rigorous studies involving complementary

therapies. Two trials of tea tree oil preparations used for bacterial skin

infections including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus found tea tree

oil to be equivalent to conventional therapies.

 

Groppo studied garlic, tea tree oil and chlorohexidine oral solutions for the

treatment of oral microorganisms in 30 HIV-negative people. The tea tree oil

group showed antimicrobial activity against mutans streptococci and other oral

microorganisms. Maintenance of reduced levels of microorganisms was observed

only for garlic and tea tree oil during the fourth and fifth weeks. Side effects

of tea tree solution included bad taste (30%), burning sensation (60%), nausea

(10%) and bad breath (20%).

 

Shemesh recruited 50 patients with a wide range of skin and mouth complaints

such as acne, apthous ulcers, fungal infection of fingernails, eczema and

unspecified skin rashes. They were treated with 100% tea tree oil for one to

four weeks depending on the severity of their condition. All apart from one

showed signs of improvement, although the study report is unable to specify the

nature of the improvement experienced by participants in the study.

 

Buck randomised 117 people with onychomycosis (a fungal nail infection) to

either twice daily clotrimazole or 100% tea tree oil. At six months, 61% of the

clotrimazole group and 60% of the tea tree oil group had partial or full

clinical resolution.

 

References

 

Belaiche P. Treatment of vaginal infections of Candida albicans with the

essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (Cheel). Phytotherapy 15:13-15, 1985.

 

Buck DS et al. Comparison of two topical preparations for the treatment of

onychomycosis: Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and clotrimazole. Journal

of Family Practice 38(6):601-605, 1994.

 

Feinblatt H. Cajeput type treatment of furunculosis. Journal of the National

Medical Association (USA) 52(1):32-34, 1960.

 

Groppo FC et al. Antimicrobial activity of garlic, tea tree oil, and

chlorhexidine against oral microorganisms. International Dental Journal

52(6):433-437, 2002.

 

Hammer KA et al. In vitro activities of ketoconazole, econazole, miconazole, and

Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil against Malassezia species. Antimicrobial

Agents and Chemotherapy 44(2):467-469, 2000.

 

Hammer KA et al. In-vitro activity of essential oils, in particular, Melaleuca

alternifolia (tea tree) oil and tea tree oil products, against Candida spp.

Journal of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 42(5):591-595, 1998.

 

Jandourek A et al. Efficacy of Melaleuca oral solution for the treatment of

fluconazole refractory oral candidiasis in AIDS patients. AIDS 12(9):1033-1037,

1998.

 

Martin KW et al. Herbal medicines for treatment of bacterial infections: a

review of controlled clinical trials. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

51(2):241-246, 2003.

 

Penfold AR. Australian Journal of Pharmacy, March 1937.

 

Shemesh A. Australian Journal of Pharmacy, Sept 1991.

 

Vazquez JA et al. Efficacy of alcohol-based and alcohol-free melaleuca oral

solution for the treatment of fluconazole-refractory oropharyngeal candidiasis

in patients with AIDS. HIV Clinical Trials 3(5):379-385, 2002.

 

Walker MJ. Current Podiatry, April 1972.

 

 

 

 

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