Cajeput Oil

Common Name: Cajeput Oil

Botanical Name: Melaleuca cajeputi

Other Names: Melaleuca leucadendron, Cajeputi Aetheroleum, weeping paperbark

Introduction

Cajeput is a tall tree with thick leaves and white flowers mostly found in Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and some parts of South East Asia. It is a tree of Myrtaceae family. It is also known as weeping tea tree, white tea tree, and white wood or weeping paperback. In India it is called Kayaputi and is worshiped in East India due to its various uses.

Cajeput oil is extracted from the leaves and bark of the tree through steam distillation. Cajeput oil has a sweet, but piercing smell. It has many medicinal properties and is used to treat many diseases.

Therapeutic Properties of Cajeput oil

Cajeput oil has many medicinal properties. It is

    •    Antimicrobial
    •    Analgesic
    •    Anthelminthic
    •    Antineuralgic
    •    Carminative
    •    Expectorant
    •    Insecticide

Uses of Cajeput Oil

1. Problems of the nervous system: Cajeput oil stimulates the mind and improves attentiveness. It also boosts your spirits when feeling low.
2. Respiratory problems: It is useful in coughs, colds, bronchitis, laryngitis and throat infections. It also clears phlegm from the chest.
3. Skin problems: It is also used for the treatment of skin diseases like scabies and fungal infections.
4. It is also an excellent remedy for all gum problems including gum pain.
5. It provides fast relief in many rheumatic problems such as arthritis and pains in the muscles. In such cases it is used as a rub.
6. Cajuput oil is non-toxic but causes irritation in some types of skin used in high concentration Therefore, it should be used in diluted form and be tested before use.