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Tea Tree Oil – A Natural Treatment For Yeast Infections

Yeast infections are very common and have many treatments. One of the natural treatments is the use of tea tree oil.

One of the herbal, natural methods for the treatment of yeast infections is tree tea oil. The tea tree grows in Australia and Asia. It is an evergreen tree with a white, spongy bark, in which the oil from the leaves are used medicinally.

Tea tree oil has been used for the treatment of yeast infections, along with other fungal infections.

Historically, Australian Aborigines used the leaves to treat cuts and skin infections. They would crush the leaves and apply them to the affected. Australian soldiers participating in World War I were given tea tree oil as a disinfectant, leading to a high demand for its production.

The oil contains numerous chemicals known as terpenoids. A trial found 100% tea tree oil applied topically was as effective as the anti-fungal medicine clotrimazole (Lotrimin®, Mycelex®) for people with fungus affecting the toe nails, a condition known as onychomycosis. In another double-blind trial with toenail fungus sufferers, a combination of 5% tea tree oil and 2% butenafine (Mentax®), a synthetic anti-fungal drug, in a cream proved more effective than an unspecified concentration of tea tree oil in cream alone. The results are not entirely surprising, as the tea tree product alone was probably not at a sufficiently high enough concentration to be effective.

A preliminary trial found that rinsing the mouth with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) tea tree oil solution four times daily effectively treated thrush (oral yeast infections) in AIDS patients. Solutions containing no more than 5% should be used orally and should never be swallowed.

For yeast infections, concentrations as strong as 40% may be used—with extreme caution and qualified advice—as vaginal douches. However, the most common treatment method is to soak a tampon with a lubricant, such as KY jelly or Olive Oil, and add a few drops of pure Tea Tree Oil and insert. However, do not come in contact with the vulva as irritation may occur.

While tea tree oil can be applied to minor cuts and scrapes, use caution for more extensive areas of broken skin or areas affected by rashes not due to fungus. The oil may burn if it gets into the eyes, nose, mouth, or other tender areas. Some people have allergic reactions, including rashes and itching, when applying tea tree oil. For this reason, only a small amount should be applied when first using it. Tea tree oil should never be swallowed, as it may cause nerve damage and other problems.