Essential oils have shown a plethora of medicinal properties including anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant and antimicrobial. Topical use of essential oils remains prevalent although
aromatherapy is on the rise. Essential oils are composed of volatile isoprenyl small
molecules that readily drift into the air but are not soluble in water. Dispersing
essential oils in water would allow applications of immersion. Many dispersing techniques,
especially co-solvency, have been used. However, we are using a natural steviol glycoside
(SG) to act as the solubilizer.
This study aims to develop a method for dispersing tea tree oil in water to allow
accurate dosing design and to achieve desired medicinal effects.
Tea tree oil separates from water. After being processed with SG into a water-soluble
concentrate, it was clear and transparent without hints of haziness. The concentrate
was dilutable freely in a water body fully and completely from 8% down to as low as
0.05%. All dilutions were stable for at least 24 hours.
A range of water solutions containing 0.05% to 8% tea tree oil are developed for immersion
applications. The single use of SG to enable the dispersion of tea tree oil promises
a clean label and 100% natural formulation because it does not include any organic
solvents, surfactants or pharmaceutical excipients.
A joint faculty member of PBRC and member in a company that holds a license of Louisiana
State University patent claiming the use of SG as a solubilizer.
