Natural products are not without danger … Contrary to what one might think, natural products are not without danger, according to their use. A British doctor recently recalled it in a shock video: that of a young boy who fell into a coma after swallowing … Tea Tree essential oil (or tea tree).
Intoxication after drinking a whole bottle
Tea tree essential oil is scientifically recognized for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is often used to treat acne in adolescents and adults. But despite its benefits, this oil – like many other essential oils – can become toxic in case of misuse.
A danger still too often underestimated, according to Dr. Sermed Mezher, who published the video. According to him, tea tree oil poisoning is more frequent than you think and can seriously affect the nervous system. “”In 2022 alone, the American anti -pisison center treated more than 2,200 cases of toxicity linked to this oil “he underlines.
A 23 month old child plunged into a coma
The relayed case concerns a 23 month old child who ingested 10 ml of Tea Tree essential oil. This ingestion plunged him into a coma for five hours, before he recovered, fortunately. The doctor alerts: Ingestion of this oil can cause serious organic lesions, convulsions, even endanger life. “”I don’t know about you, but I don’t keep it at home “he concludes in his video.
A safe essential oil … if it is well used
Consulted on the subject, Laure Martinat, naturopath and phyto-aromatherapist, member of our expert committee, sheds more nuanced light. “”In reality, Tea Tree essential oil is one of the safer. She does not have a strong toxic potential compared to others “she explains.
Admittedly, it contains certain potentially neurotoxic molecules such as 1.8-cineole, terpinene-4-ol, ascaridol or methylogenol. “”But they are present in tiny quantities “she says.
The cases of poisoning in children occur mainly orally, often following a domestic accident: a bottle left open, accessible product, etc. According to her, the frequency of accidents is more linked to the popularity of this oil than its intrinsic dangerousness. “”It is used a lot, therefore mathematically, there are more accident cases “.
No essential oil orally for children
The real problem, according to our expert, is not tea tree oil in itself, but its inappropriate use, especially in young children.
“We must take into account the particular physiology of children: low weight, immature elimination systems – whether hepatic, renal or neurological. This increases the risk of toxicity”she insists. “”Oral ingestion of essential oil is formally not recommended in children “.
To avoid any drama, she recalls that “Essential oils should only be used on the recommendations of trained professionals, especially for risky audiences such as children, pregnant or lactating women “.
A trivialized product… wrongly
Finally, the expert warns against the proliferation of poor quality products on the market: “Because it is fashionable, many brands are embarking on the sale of essential oils. We then find products of poor quality, sometimes frelated, with higher toxic molecules levels than expected, or even contaminations “.
The democratization of these products blurs their real health message. “”Because it smells good, that you find it everywhere at low prices, people think it’s harmless. But they forget that they are very concentrated, and therefore powerful substances “.
A trivialization which, paradoxically, increases their dangerousness in the domestic environment.