Tea tree oil (TTO) is an interesting product derived from Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant species native to Australia where the oil has been used as a traditional topical medication. A search of the internet reveals that TTO is now widely available internationally, as a pure oil or as an ingredient of multiple skin care and other over-the-counter products. It is found in soaps, bath additives, shampoos and conditioners, in topical treatments for bacterial, fungal and viral infections, head lice, ticks and insect bites, and in insect repellents. It is recommended in commercial advertisements for topical treatment of psoriasis, dermatitis, plantar warts, sunburn, thermal burns, bruises, other skin wounds including bedsores, muscular strains, arthritis, and even for diabetic gangrene. The same website recommends TTO as an inhalant for asthma, bronchitis and laryngitis, yet in a section on safety advises removal of the victim to fresh air and the immediate attention of a physician if it is inhaled. It is an ingredient of toothpastes and mouthwashes, yet ingestion of an apparently small quantity of undiluted TTO by a 4-y-old led to a warning about its potential toxicity in the face of inadequate safety labels, following an episode of ataxia and deteriorating consciousness requiring endotracheal intubation (Morris et al, 2003). It is also found in household products including cleaners and deodorizers, and its propensity to produce allergic contact dermatitis is well recognized by dermatologists (Knight and Hausen, 1994). More serious side-effects of topical application appear to be uncommon, but include immediate systemic hypersensitivity (Mozelsio et al, 2003).