PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS TEAZLE/757

Tea Tree

Melaleuca alternifolia

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Pans: The medicinal parts of the plant are the

leaves and branch tips from which an oil is extracted by

steam distillation.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is a 3 to 5 cm long

spike. The flowers are sessile with a campanulate epicalyx

on which the sepals sit like tips. The tips are 3 to 4 mm long.

The petals are free, approximately twice as large as the calyx

tips. There are numerous conspicuous stamens, in 5 bundles

approximately 2 cm long. The ovary is inferior and partially

fused with the hollow receptacle. It is in 3 parts with a thick

pistil and a capitular stigma. The fruit is a woody, cylindrical

capsule with a diameter of 3 to 4 mm.

Leaves, Stem and Root: This tree reaches heights up to 7 m.

The leaves are simple, coriaceous, 1 to 2.5 cm long, acute-

lanceolate, and sometimes slightly sickle-shaped with oil

glands. The young shoots are tomentose, the older branches

glabrous. The trunk has a paper-like, whitish bark.

Habitat: Melaleuca alternifolia is indigenous to Australia.

Production: Tea tree oil is the essential oil extracted from

the leaves and branch tips of Melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleu-

ca dissitifolia and other Melaleuca species by aqueous steam

distillation. Ideally, the leaves and shoots have first been

stored for six weeks.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Terpinenes: Primarily terpinene-4-ol (45%), gamma-terpi-

nene (18%), alpha-terpinene (8%), 1.8-cineole (6%), alpha-

terpineol (5%), as well as alpha-pinene, limonene, p-cymol,

terpinolene, viridiflorene

EFFECTS

The terpenes present in the essential oil exhibit efficacy that

is antimicrobial, possibly antiviral and weakly antimycotic.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Tea Tree Oil is used for conditions of the respiratory tract

and for skin conditions. It is also used as a disinfectant. The

oil's administration against acne has been demonstrated in at

least one clinical test.

Unproven Uses: Folk medicine internal uses have included
tonsillitis, pharyngitis, colitis and sinusitis. Externally, Tea
Tree Oil is used for ulcers of the oral mucous membrane,
gingivitis, root canal treatment, mycosis of the nail, skin
infections, ulcers, burns and insect bites.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

OVERDOSAGE

In several cases involving children, overdosage (10 ml for a

child) led to coordination weakness and a state of confusion.

A very high dosage (70 ml) led to coma.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Preparations of the oil are used

internally and externally.

Storage: Store tightly sealed and protected from light.

LITERATURE

Blaschek W. Hansel R. Keller K, Reichling J. Rimpler G,

Schneider G (Eds). Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen

Praxis. Folgebande 1 und 2. Drogen A-Z. Springer. Berlin,

Heidelberg 1998.

Carson CF. Cookson BD. Farrelly HD, Riley TV, Susceptibility

of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to the essential oil

of Melaleuca alternifolia. J Antimicrob Chemother, 35:421-4.

1995 Mar.

Carson CF. Hammer KA. Riley TV, Broth micro-dilution

method for determining the susceptibility of Escherichia coli

and Staphylococcus aureus to the essential oil of Melaleuca

alternifolia (tea tree oil). Microbios. 82:181-5. 1995.

Carson CF, Riley TV. Antimicrobial activity of the major

components of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia. J Appl

Bacteriol. 78:264-9, 1995 Mar.

Carson CF, Riley TV, In-vitro activity of the essential oil of

Melaleuca alternifolia against Streptococcus, spp letter J

Antimicrob Chemother, 78:1177-8, 1996 Jun.

Carson CF, Riley TV, Toxicity of the essential oil of Melaleuca

alternifolia or tea tree oil. letter; comment. J Toxicol Clin

Toxicol, 33:193-4, 1995.

Hammer KA, Carson CF, Riley TV, Susceptibility of transient

and commensal skin flora to the essential oil of Melaleuca

alternifolia (tea tree oil). Am J Infect Control, 24:186-9, 1996

Jun.

Nenoff P, Haustein UF, Brandt W, Antifungal activity of the

essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) against

pathogenic fungi in vitro. Skin Pharmacol, 9:388-94, 1996.

Teazle

Dipsacus silvestris

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the whole flowering

plant with root.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are lilac with 8 cm long,

cylindrical capitula. The bracts are lanceolate-awl-shaped.