Advances in studies of tea tree oil as a natural antimicrobial agent / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To review the recent progress in studies on tea tree oil, thus to promote the development of tea tree oil as a natural antimicrobial agent. METHODS: Studies on the oil extraction process, composition, antimicrobial activity, resistance, clinical efficacy, and untoward reactions of tea tree oil were summarized. RESULTS: Tea tree oil is stable in quality and has wide antimicrobial spectrum, high efficacy, low toxicity, and numerous clinical applications. CONCLUSION: Tea tree oil is a promising natural antimicrobial agent.