Cajeput Essential Oil (Melaleuca cajuputi)

Overview

Cajeput may also be referred to as Big white paperbark, Broadleaf paperbark, Broadleaf teatree, Brown teatree, Butterscotch paperbark, Cajaput-tree, Cajeput, Longleaf paperbark, Paperbark, Paperbark teatree, Paperbark-tree, River teatree, Swamp teatree, Weeping paperbark, Weeping teatree, White teatree, five-veined paperbark, Malaleuca, melaleuca, niaouli, punk-tree, tea tree, white bottlebrush tree. It is typically processed using steam or hydro distillation as a method for extracting oil from the leaves.

Summary

Cajeput Essential Oil is a must-have oil to keep on hand for cold and flu season, especially for use in the diffuser. When well diluted, it can be used topically, but there is some indication that it may cause skin irritation.

Cajeput (Melaleuca leucadendron) is a relative to Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia).

Aromatically, Cajeput Essential Oil is quite campherous but possesses a fresh, uplifting, fruity quality.

Cajeput Essential Oil

Essential Facts

  • Aroma Description:

    Camphoraceous Cool Fresh Fruity Herbaceous Warm

  • Taste Description: Pungent, sweet
  • Common Name(s): Big white paperbark, Broadleaf paperbark, Broadleaf teatree, Brown teatree, Butterscotch paperbark, Cajaput-tree, Cajeput, Longleaf paperbark, Paperbark, Paperbark teatree, Paperbark-tree, River teatree, Swamp teatree, Weeping paperbark, Weeping teatree, White teatree, five-veined paperbark, Malaleuca, melaleuca, niaouli, punk-tree, tea tree, white bottlebrush tree
  • Botanical Family: Myrtaceae
  • Botanical Genus: Melaleuca
  • Chemical Family: Monoterpenes, Oxides
  • Major Compounds: 1,8-Cineole, a-Terpineol, p-Cymene, Terpinolene, Gamma-Terpinene, (+)-Limonene, Linalool, a-Pinene
  • Perfumery Note: Middle
  • Consistency: Thin
  • Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
  • Aroma chemistry: Cajeput Essential Oil contains a significant percentage of 1,8 cineole which has been proven effective in clinical trials for rhinosinusitis, showing improvement in nasal obstruction (stuffy nose), nasal secretion (runny nose) and frontal headache. In another trial with chronic bronchitis, a comination of a-pinene, limonene and 1,8 cineole produced better results than anti-biotics.
  • Color: Clear with a Yellow Tinge
  • Indigenous Country: Australia and the Asain mainland
  • Cultivation: Wild Harvested
  • Processing Methods: Steam or Hydro Distillation
  • Part Typically Used: Leaves
  • Shelf Life: 4-5 years
  • Vegan Vegan
  • Not Pregnancy Safe Not recommended or safe if pregnant or nursing
  • Not Child Safe Not recommend or safe for children

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Aches Arthritis Asthma Bronchitis Coughs Flu Insect Repellents Muscular aches and pains Rheumatism Rheumatoid Arthritis Sinusitis Skin : Oily Sore Throat Spots ( Acne )

Therapeutic Benefits of Cajeput:

Analgesic Anti-asthmatic Anti-bacterial Anti-fungal Anti-inflammatory Anti-microbial Anti-oxidant Anti-septic Anti-viral Cephalic Cicatrisant Decongestant Energizing Expectorant Insect Repellent Mucolytic

Blends

Cajeput Blends:

Bay Bay Laurel Eucalyptus Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Inula Lavender Myrtle Orange, Sweet

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Cajeput:

Tisserand and Young indicate that due to the 1,8 cineole content, Cajeput Oil may cause CNS and breathing problems in young children. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 224.]

Safety Precautions for Cajeput:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

Avoid Cajeput if:

Pregnant and breast feeding women should avoid using cajeput.

Contraindications of Cajeput:

High doses may cause vomiting and stomach irritation.

Traditional Folklore

Traditional Folklore of Cajeput:

Cajeput Essential Oil is an effective anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant and mucolytic. It is also anit-inflammatory and analgesic. Botany M. leucadendron var. cajeputi is a medium sized tree to 98ft with small crowns with small branches, slender twigs with creamy white flower spikes. The bark is whitish, papery, thin and flaky. It can be indigenously found across the hot, humid areas of Australia and the Asain mainland. Traditional Folklore Cajeput has been traditionally used for its antiseptic, carminative and local analgesic properties by Australian Aborigines. In Malaysia and Indonesia, Cajeput is used to treat stomach and intestinal problems, valuable for colds & flu, chronic rheumatism as well as an insecticide. Cajeput was effectively used to cure Indian cholera. It has been used for eye infections and for relief for a toothache.

Energetic, Spiritual, and Emotional Qualities

Energetics and Chakras Qualites of Cajeput:

4th Chakra - Unconditional Love 5th Chakra - Speaking Truth 6th Chakra - Perspective

Articles

Cajeput Articles or Publications:

Cade Essential Oil (Rectified)
Camphor Essential Oil