10% tea tree dressing on slow-healing, MRSA-colonized wounds in nursing-home residents: every wound in the tea tree group healed within 28 days, MRSA cleared from 14 of 16, and there were no skin reactions.
Lee 2014, Int J Nurs Sci · Source
Tea Tree Oil
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil · certified organic
One of the most-researched plant oils in the world, with a long history on irritated skin. We use a gentle amount, about 2%, chosen with intimate skin in mind.
~2%a gentle amount in the Salve
33×gentler on friendly lactobacilli than on Gardnerella in the lab
EU-recognizedfor traditional use on mild itching and irritation
Why we love it
Tea tree has a long research record against the organisms that throw intimate skin off balance, and in lab tests it was far gentler on friendly lactobacilli than on Gardnerella. We use about 2%, enough to bring tea tree into the formula while keeping it gentle on vulvar skin.
What does the research show?
Selective in the lab
Gardnerella was inhibited at 0.06% tea tree; vaginal lactobacilli needed up to 2%, about 33 times more.
Yeast in the lab
Tea tree inhibited 57 Candida isolates, including non-albicans species, at 0.25% to 0.5%, and its main compound worked on azole-resistant strains.
Well studied on skin
A review of 46 randomized trials found side effects were usually minor at lower strengths.
Skin healing
In a trial of slow-healing wounds, every wound treated with a 10% tea tree dressing healed within 28 days. In fungal skin trials, tea tree performed similarly to standard antifungal creams on several measures.
Studies
Human study tested in people Lab study a starting point, not proof
Side effects were mostly minor; nearly all reactions came at strengths of 25% or more.
Kairey 2023, Front Pharmacol · Source
25% and 50% solutions for athlete's foot: marked response in 72% and 68% vs 39% on placebo; 3.8% had dermatitis.
Satchell 2002, Australas J Dermatol · Source
5% gel for acne: better lesion counts than placebo, similar side effects.
Enshaieh 2007, Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol · Source
5% gel vs benzoyl peroxide for acne: both worked, tea tree more slowly with fewer side effects.
Bassett 1990, Med J Aust · Source
10% cream for athlete's foot: symptom relief similar to tolnaftate; fungal cure no better than placebo.
Tong 1992, Australas J Dermatol · Source
100% tea tree oil vs 1% clotrimazole for toenail fungus over 6 months: partial or full clearing in 60% vs 61%, a similar result.
Buck 1994, J Fam Pract · Source
50% tea tree cream vs 1% clotrimazole for ringworm and jock itch: no significant difference in cure rates.
Pokharel 2016, Nepal J Dermatol Venereol Leprol · Source
6% tea tree gel for recurring cold sores: skin healed in a median of 9 days vs 12.5 days on placebo. A small pilot, so the difference was not statistically significant.
Carson 2001, J Antimicrob Chemother · Source
A woman with bacterial vaginosis recovered after a 5-day course of tea tree pessaries. One person, so an early signal rather than proof.
Blackwell 1991, Lancet · Source
G. vaginalis inhibited at 0.06%; lactobacilli at 0.12% to 2%.
Hammer 1999, Antimicrob Agents Chemother · Source
Candida inhibited at 0.25% to 0.5%, albicans and non-albicans.
Hammer 1998, J Antimicrob Chemother · Source
Active against all Candida strains; probiotics stayed viable below 2%.
Di Vito 2015, Phytother Res · Source
Tea tree's main compound, terpinen-4-ol, was active against yeast whether or not it resisted azole drugs, and cleared infection in an animal model.
Mondello 2006, BMC Infect Dis · Source
Adding tea tree oil to fluconazole lowered the amount of fluconazole needed against resistant C. albicans by about 6 times.
Garbusińska 2015, via science.gov · Source
Terpinen-4-ol was active against MRSA and other staph and was not toxic to human skin cells at the strengths tested.
Loughlin 2008, Lett Appl Microbiol · Source
Oxidized (aged) oil, not fresh oil, is the main cause of skin allergy.
Hausen 1999, Am J Contact Dermat · Source
How has it been used traditionally?
The European Medicines Agency recognizes tea tree oil for traditional use on the skin for small superficial wounds, insect bites, small boils and mild itching and irritation. The Bundjalung people of eastern Australia used crushed tea tree leaves on wounds long before it was studied.
Is tea tree safe on the vulva?
At the strength we use, tea tree is a gentle choice for most people. In skin trials, nearly all reactions came from solutions of 25% or more, and the Salve uses about 2%. A small number of people are allergic to tea tree, and aged oil is the main culprit, so keep the jar closed and away from heat. If you've reacted before or have very sensitive skin, patch test on your inner arm for 24 hours first. Use each product as directed, avoid broken skin, and never swallow tea tree oil.
Last reviewed: November 2026.
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Reviewed by the Momotaro Apotheca medical team, including OB-GYNs and naturopathic doctors. Educational information, not medical advice. All ingredient research