Disclosed herein is a topical therapeutic composition and method for the palliative treatment of irritated or inflamed perianal tissue. The therapeutic composition comprises olive oil and tea tree oil. The palliative treatment of the invention involves application of the composition to irritated or inflamed perianal tissue. The composition and method of the invention can be employed in the palliative treatment of such human maladies as hemorrhoids, fissures and pruritis ani.
