Atividades terapêuticas do óleo essencial de melaleuca (melaleuca alternifolia) Uma revisão de literatura

Essential oils are secondary metabolites extracted from various parts of plants. They have a complex chemical composition and guarantee the plants adaptive advantages in the environment in which they are inserted. Essential oils can be used as important active ingredients in products intended for the treatment of human beings. Called "tea tree oil" (TTO), the tea tree essential oil is derived primarily from the native Australian plant called Melaleuca alternifolia. It is composed of terpene hydrocarbons, mainly monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and their associated alcohols. Its fungicidal, anti-infectious, balsamic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, insecticidal and immune-stimulating activities are mainly attributed to terpinen-4-ol, Brazilian Journal of health Review Braz. J. Hea. Rev., Curitiba, v. 2, n. 6, p. 6011-6021 nov./dec. 2019. ISSN 2595-6825 6013 which is the main component of the oil, being the main mediator of its activity “in vitro ”and“ in vivo ”. The tea tree essential oil has proven action in the literature as analgesic, healing, antiinflammatory, antifungal, bactericidal among others. Due to its many properties, tea tree essential oil has been increasingly used as a natural and effective alternative to treat various diseases. The aim of this study is to make a brief literature review on the main therapeutic applications of melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil. Thus, a survey on the subject was conducted in the main sources of scientific research PubMed, Scielo and Capes Periodicals from 2012 to 2018, leading us to conclude that this oil is proven effective for the treatment of numerous diseases such as candidiasis, skin infections such as herpes simplex, among others. It is an excellent healer, especially in lesions that are difficult to heal, as occurs in diabetics. It can be a potent ally in fighting microorganisms such as fungus and bacteria resistant to conventional medicines. This essential oil still has much to offer us in terms of treatments and even disease prevention, which demands the need for further studies, especially the terpinen-4ol component. This review highlights its main therapeutic applications and stimulates further studies on its use in the treatment of various diseases.