Melaleuca alternifolia Essential Oil for Treatment of Wounds Infected with Staphylococcus aureus

Principal Investigator: Linda Halcón, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N., Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota

Funding Source and Amount Funded:  University of Minnesota Academic Health Center; $24,965

Grand Period:  July 2002 - June 2003

Abstract:  In recent decades, there has been a marked increase in difficult to treat skin and underlying tissue infections associated with Gram-positive bacteria, notably Staphylococcus aureus, both methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive species. New, cost-effective, convenient strategies are needed to treat wounds infected with these species as standard treatment consists of parenteral antibiotics or very expensive oral antibiotics.

There is considerable and growing international literature on the use of plant essential oils against pathogenic microorganisms. In vitro studies suggest that some essential oils and their components have strong bactericidal action. Over the past 30 years, there have been recurring reports of the efficacy of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil, also known as tea tree oil, against bacterial pathogens. M. alternifolia essential oil is a promising agent for treating Staphylococcus-infected wounds. A proposed pilot study will establish the basis for a larger clinical trial that can test for significant improvements in outcomes with the use of topical M. alternifolia essential oil solutions.