Tea tree (melaleuca) oil
Oil from the leaves of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) has traditionally been used for cuts, burns, and insect bites. It contains various terpene oils and sesquiterpenes. It may also contain cineole, which is known to be a skin irritant.
The antiseptic effect of tea tree oil is largely due to the presence of terpinen-4-ol. This is added to various commercial preparations. There are many in vitro studies demonstrating the antibacterial and antifungal effects of melaleuca oil; however, its antimicrobial activity is concentration-dependent and clinical studies have not adequately demonstrated its effectiveness in the treatment of acne and skin infections such as tinea.
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