Myrtaceae · essential oil of leaf
Tea tree
Melaleuca alternifolia
Leaf oil mapped to human topical acne and fungal-adjacent trials. External only.
Safety first
NEVER ingest. Oil is toxic orally (confusion, ataxia, coma in case reports, especially children). Keep off mucosa. 5% gels have acne-trial literature with irritation.
Tradition vs trials
Traditional record. Australian traditional leaf later industrial essential oil.
Trial literature. 5% gel has comparative acne trials vs benzoyl peroxide with different irritation. Not isotretinoin.
Practical ranges
Educational ranges — not a prescription. Culinary use is not an extract.
topical 5% gel
Acne-trial gel is often 5% oil in a base applied to intact skin — not a swallowable range
ESCOP / AHP-era oil specs — Educational range only — not a prescription. A licensed clinician individualizes product, dose, and duration.
Pregnancy, nursing, children
- Pregnancy. Avoid large-area topical and any ingestion.
- Nursing. Insufficient reliable data; avoid unless a clinician directs otherwise.
- Children. Keep bottles away from children. Do not ingest. Dilute if a clinician uses topically.
Contraindications
- ingestion
- eyes and mucosa
- infants as DIY oil
Key interactions
- none internally — do not ingest · contraindicated
Oral use is poisoning, not an interaction.