Tea tree oil:

Many might have noticed how tea tree oil is becoming ubiquitous in alternative therapy. While its antibacterial and healing properties are recognised, one reader writes in cautioning about potential harmful reactions to the oil. She has suffered allergic reactions to tea tree oil on all three occasions which she used it, the most recent having quite a severe effect. The rule of thumb is probably to do a patch test for any substance _ yes, even “all-natural” compounds _ applied to the body and exercise caution rather than lashing it on generously.