Cajuput essential oil information
Cajuput essential oil is extracted from Melaleuca cajuputi (closely related to and not to be confused with M. leucadendron and also known as M. Minor) of the Myrtaceae family. Common names include white wood (from the Malaysian word kayu-puti), weeping tea tree, weeping paperback, cajeput, river tea tree, swamp tea tree and punk tree.
Properties of Cajuput essential oil
Cajuput Essential oil, a powerful oil used with great success for digestive and skin problems. It helps to clear the mind, balance the thought process, and dispelling a feeling of sluggishness. Cajuput essential oil has a sweet rather penetrating smell.
Origin of Cajuput essential oil
Also sometimes referred to as the white tea tree, the Cajuput tree originates from the Malayan coastal plains. An evergreen, vigorous growing tree, it can reach 30 meters (98 feet) and has a whitish spongy bark with a crooked trunk.
It is known in ancient India as Kayaputi and was also revered in the East for all its uses.
Not only was it used as an ingredient for cosmetics and perfumes, it was also well known for its antiseptic properties and was a traditional remedy for the stomach, for rheumatism, cholera and as an insecticide.\
Extraction of Cajuput essential oil
Cajuput essential oil is extracted from fresh leaves and twigs by steam distillation.
Chemical composition of Cajuput essential oil
The main chemical components of Cajuput oil include a-pinene, b-pinene, myrcene, a-terpinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, y-terpinene, p-cymene, terpinolene, linalool, terpinen-4-ol and a-terpineol.
Suggested precautions regarding Cajuput essential oil
Cajuput essential oil is high in 1,8-cineole which is known to cause central nervous system disorders and breathing problems in young children. It is recommended that this oil not be applied close to or on the face of babies and children under the age of 6.
Oils containing high percentages of 1,8-cineole can cause serious poisoning if ingested by young children – also when instilled through the nose.
Please read our page with heading: Safety with Essential Oils before using this oil.
We recommend the following book as an excellent resource regarding safety:
Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals by Robert Tisserand & Rodney Young (#ad)
Therapeutic properties of Cajuput essential oil
The therapeutic properties of Cajuput oil include analgesic, anti-neuralgic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, decongestant, expectorant, insecticide, febrifuge, carminative, stimulant, sudorific, vermifuge and tonic.
Uses of Cajuput essential oil
By promoting sweating, Cajuput essential oil cools down the body and helps with infections such as colds, laryngitis and bronchitis. It is also helpful for asthma, sinusitis and a sore throat. It calms the digestive system, soothes colic, enteritis, dysentery, vomiting, spasms, arthritis, rheumatism. Muscular aches and pains can also benefit from it. Not only does it help with skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis, it is also used to ward off insect bites from lice and fleas.
Burners and Vaporizers
Cajuput oil can be used in vapor therapy to treat the respiratory tract – relieving infections and pain. It also helps to promote clear thoughts and dispels a feeling of sluggishness.
Blended massage oil
It helps for pain relief and is useful in gout, rheumatism, arthritis and general aches and pains. Its antispasmodic properties make it useful for treating painful periods, delayed menses and spasmodic dysmenorrhoea.
In the bath
It helps for pain relief and is useful when treating gout, rheumatism, arthritis and general aches and pains. Its antispasmodic properties make it useful for treating painful periods, delayed menses and spasmodic dysmenorrhoea.
Blended in a base cream or aqueous gel
When used as part of a formulation, it can be helpful to sort out persistent and chronic conditions such as acne and psoriasis.
Suggested dilution rates
On the skin
Adult, Unbroken skin
Face: o.2% to 1.5%
Body: 0.2% to 3%
Bath: 0.2% to 4%
Pain: 1.5% to 5% (use on affected area)
0 to 3 months:
Do not use
3 months to 24 months
Face: Avoid, do not use
Body: 0.25% to 0.5%
Bath: 0.25% to 0.5%
Pain: 0.25% to 0.5% (on affected area, avoid face)
2 years to 6 years
Face: Avoid, do not use
Body: 0.5% to 2%
Bath: 0.5% to 2%
Pain: 0.5% to 2% (use on affected area, avoid face)
6 years to 15 years
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 0.5% to 2%
Bath: 0.5% to 2%
Pain: 0.5% to 5% (on affected area)
Pregnancy:
Face: 1% to 1.5%
Body: 1% to 2%
Bath: 1% to 2%
Painful joints and muscles: 1% to 2%
- When in doubt consult your doctor / medical professional before use.
- Most professionals and/or Aromatherapists will always err on the side of safety when giving advise regarding the use of essential oils and oleo resins during pregnancy – This is due to conflicting information available, or the absence of any reliable information.
- Quite a number of Aromatherapists advise that you should avoid essential oils completely while pregnant, specifically during the first trimester. This is a very safe approach but may not be necessary at all.
Breastfeeding: Keep away from the baby while feeding (do not apply to areas that the baby will come in contact with). Rather avoid using while breastfeeding.
General:
- When using for the first time – Always use the lowest dilution rate and build up slowly to the maximum. Stop using all essential oils on the skin if irritation or allergy occurs.
- Any advice or instruction received from a medical professional ALWAYS supersedes recommendations or advice found on this website. When in doubt consult your doctor / medical professional.
Burners and vaporizers
In vapor therapy (2 to 8 drops), Cajuput oil can be used in vapor therapy to treat the respiratory tract – relieving infections and pain. It also helps to promote clear thoughts and dispels a feeling of sluggishness.
Summary
The greatest benefit of Cajuput essential oil lies in its antiseptic properties for the respiratory tract and the urinary system, the combating of infections such as colds, bronchitis and laryngitis and its pain relieving properties for headaches, earache, toothache, gout and rheumatism.
Cajuput essential oil blends well with
Although most essential oils blend well, Cajuput oil goes particularly well with Angelica, Bergamot, Clove, Geranium, Lavender and Thyme.
