Tea Tree Essential Oil Myths Debunked

While almost any natural, plant-based oil has its benefits, there might also be underlying skepticism regarding its use. In the case of Tea Tree essential oil, we know that it is a highly popular and renowned essential oil in the health and wellness community because of its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting abilities. What are some diverging beliefs?

Myth #1: Tea tree oil is estrogenic and bad for men to use

In a 2007 research report, doctors based in Colorado and North Carolina concluded that Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils “were responsible for breast growth in three boys,” or produced an estrogenic effect when used. It was later confirmed that the tests were done in vitro (in an artificial environment or using a test tube) and the plastic containers for these tests were contaminated with phthalates, or harmful substances added to plastics to increase elasticity. When plastic comes in contact with an essential oil, it can melt into the oil, which explains the faulty result that Tea Tree produces an estrogenic effect on the human body. Myth: debunked.

Myth #2: Therapeutic-grade Tea Tree essential oil does not exist

It all depends on the company and how they define “therapeutic-grade.” For instance, Way of Will learned that “professional growers and providers have annual gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses, or GC reports, that detail the plant quality from a grower on any given year.” Way of Will’s Tea Tree essential oil is imported from native Australia and known for its healing and therapeutic qualities.

Myth #3: Undiluted Tea Tree essential oil can be used on the skin, and other essential oils cannot

No! This goes back to the fact that just because something is natural does not mean that it’s safe to use on your skin in raw form. Using Tea Tree essential oil or any essential oil on the skin will cause adverse reactions if it is not diluted properly with a carrier oil or other diluting substance.

If you use undiluted oils on your skin and experience skin irritation, burn, rash or allergic reaction, that is your body telling you that you need to stop! We touched upon the biggest myths in the essential oil community.