Is Tea Tree Oil safe during pregnancy?
Popular spot treatment. NCCIH says topical use may be safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding; never swallow it and keep it off the breast.
What the sources say
NCCIH says tea tree oil products used on the skin may be safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but it should not be taken by mouth and can irritate skin, especially when old or oxidized. LactMed notes tea tree oil has estrogen-like and anti-androgen activity (cases of breast growth in boys were reported) and advises avoiding application around the breast unless thoroughly removed before nursing. Limit: diluted spot use on small areas.
Common alternatives
Also listed as
melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, melaleuca alternifolia leaf extract, melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, melaleuca oil, tea tree leaf oil
Sources
- NIH NCCIH: Tea Tree Oil: Usefulness and Safety
- NIH LactMed: Tea Tree Oil - Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed)
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.