Guest guest Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 Safety Melaleuca oil is used almost exclusively externally. Data on oral use of tea tree oil in humans in large quantities is sparse aside from several anecdotal reports of side effects following oral ingestion.[17] Symptoms may include ataxia and drowsiness. A relatively small number of people report an allergic reaction to tea tree oil which could consist of a minor skin irritation. In a study of 725 consecutive patients, patients were patch tested with undiluted, 1% and 0.1% Tea Tree Oil. For pure undiluted tea tree oil, less than 6% of the patients observed positive reactions of skin irritation. Only 1 of 725 patients observed a positive reaction of skin irritation with the 1% dilution. None of the 725 patients observed adverse reactions with the 0.1% dilution.[18] A case study reported in a recent publication showed a possible association between repeated topical application of products containing lavender oil with prepubertal gynecomastia (abnormal breast development in young boys). The study involved just three individuals. All three cases included the use of lavender oil. In one of the three cases, a product was used that contained lavender oil as well as tea tree oil, and other ingredients. The prepubertal gynecomastia reversed after discontinuing use of products containing lavender oil. In the same paper, results from cell culture assays indicated that both essential oils exhibit weak estrogenic properties. Researchers indicated that other components in these products may also have contributed to the gynecomastia, but those components were not yet tested. Researchers also noted that estrogenic activities have also been reported for many other commonly used essential oils as well as foods such as almonds and peanuts.[19] Other articles have cast doubt as to the conclusions of the article and dismissed the study as having used " poor methodology " .[20][21] As with many antibiotics, if used in 4% concentrations or below it may activate stress reactions in bacteria which can cause them to become less sensitive to antibiotics in vitro.[22] Tea tree oil is not recommended for use in the ears.[23] , Suzanne Lajoie <mhairidance wrote: > > You might want to try putting some tea tree oil on a cotton swab and applying it to the canker sores. It is rather bad tasting, but it works! > > Sara <kryad wrote: My boyfriend gets huge, incredibly painful canker sores, and he has no > idea what causes them. Does anyone have any suggestions for > treatments or possible supplements to help prevent them? It doesn't > seem like medical science has any clue what causes them in the first > place. > Thanks! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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