From the Research
Tea Tree Oil for Onychomycosis
- Tea tree oil has been proposed as a promising natural alternative to traditional treatments for onychomycosis due to its antimicrobial properties 1.
- The main contributors to the antifungal action of tea tree oil are its compounds, with terpinen-4-ol being one of the most significant 1.
- In vitro studies have shown that tea tree oil is effective against dermatophytes, including Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton schoenleinii 1, 2, 3.
- The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values of tea tree oil against these microorganisms have been determined, with T. rubrum being the most sensitive to the action of the oil 1.
- A meta-analysis of the antifungal activities of three essential oils, including tea tree oil, found that tea tree oil has promising antifungal effects against dermatophytes, although more experiments are needed to examine its properties and devise effective therapies 4.
- Clinical studies are needed to confirm the long-term antifungal activity, safety, and efficacy of tea tree oil in the treatment of onychomycosis 1, 5.
- Tea tree oil may be a less harmful alternative to traditional pharmacological treatments for onychomycosis, which are often associated with hepatotoxicity, interference, and low adherence 2.
- Nanocapsule suspensions containing tea tree oil have been shown to be effective in reducing Trichophyton rubrum growth in nail infection models 3.
- A systematic review of clinical evidence supporting the use of complementary and alternative therapies for onychomycosis found preliminary evidence for the use of tea tree oil, although large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are needed to endorse its use 5.