Tea tree oil - toxic?

Re: Tea tree oil - toxic?

Jenny Smith — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 14:16:15 GMT

I remember seeing a case a few years ago as a student where a cat owner had applied copious amounts of undiluted tea tree oil to her cats fur to treat the fleas which she had seen. The cat went on to develop a horrible pneumonia, presumably secondary to inhalation of the tea tree (lots of it put onto sternum/chest). Unfortunately I can't remember the longer term outcome, but since then have always been cautious with it. Jenny

Re: Tea tree oil - toxic?

Tim Cheyne — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 05:23:56 GMT

[quote user="Stephen Courtney"]......and to be honest have no idea where you would go to buy the neat oil.[/quote]

My last purchase, 100% pure oil, was from Boots. They tend to be cheaper than the 'Natural Health' shops. Manufacturer was "NOW Foods" of USA. <www.nowfoods.com>.

Tim.

Re: Tea tree oil - toxic?

Lorna McHardy — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 21:26:00 GMT

The indications appear to be that it is toxic if ingested in high doses, and can be irritant to the skin in high concentrations. I couldn't find anything later than 2006.

http://www.mendeley.com/research/review-toxicity-melaleuca-alternifolia-tea-tree-oil/

Re: Tea tree oil - toxic?

Stephen Courtney — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 20:49:07 GMT

I had heard that pure tea Tree oil was indeed toxic, especially to cats who are generally not good with a lot of chemicals as we all know. however i have no references, and to be honest have no idea where you would go to buy the neat oil.

The shampoos seem to very useful in dermatology, certainly anti inflammatory, and possibly antimicrobial though not sure how effecftive in the diluted state. Of course if it was diluted beyond a certain point toxicity may increase overwhelmingly....

Re: Tea tree oil - toxic?

Tim Cheyne — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 20:32:24 GMT

Topical Tea Tree Oil (the alliteration is unintentional) is used a lot out here, mainly in shampoos and ointments for horses, but is also sold in many pharmacies as an effective antiseptic for minor wounds cuts and grazes and is said to be effective in controlling many bacterial infections, mites, fungi and lice. I have used it on myself as a mild antiseptic. It has a pleasant (to me) 'leathery' smell. A fairly large oral dose may be toxic and this can be important in cats that groom themselves. It is relatively expensive (out here, anyway); a year ago I bought a small bottle (30 ml) of 100% oil from our local branch of 'Boots' for the equivalent of nine pounds sterling but I use only a few drops in quite a large volume of water.

It is likely that a cheaper antiseptic would be just as effective but the Australian and (especially) the New Zealand Agricultural Boards promote their products hard and have run very effective advertising campaigns for butter, Jersey cows, Kiwi fruit, that Maori honey, and Tea Tree oil. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Remember when Kiwi fruit first came to the UK? It was an essential scarce and expensive 'must have' to be sliced thinly on top of the trifle at the better wine-and-cheese parties. When they were called Chinese Gooseberries they didn't have a chance!

Tim.

Re: Tea tree oil - toxic?

Julian Earl — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 18:40:06 GMT

There was a report some years ago where it was shown to be effective topically for MRSA infections but I've no reference I'm afraid. As for ingestion, I have no idea.