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Cajeput Essential Oil |
| Cajeput also called White tea tree, White tree, and Swamp tea tree, is closely related to other members of the Melaleuca group, notably eucalyptus, clove, niaouli, and tea tree. Cajeput essential oil is produced by steam distillation of the fresh leaves and twigs from a tall evergreen tree up to 30 meters high 1 m diameter, with whitish papery bark, often exfoliating, having thick pointed leaves and white flowers, and a flexible trunk with whitish spongy bark, hence the Malaysian name ‘caju-puti’ or white wood. |
| Botanical Name: | Melaleuca cajeputi Powell
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| Family: | Myrtaceae
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| Synonyms: | Melaleuca minor, Melaleuca leucadendron L., Melaleuca quinquenervia (S.T.Blake), (Perkins), Gum benzoin, gum benjamin, styrax benzoin, Siam Benzoin, Sumatra Benzoin, Palembang benzoin
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| Similar Oils: |
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| Parts Used: | Twigs and fresh leaves
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| Extraction Method: | Steam Distillation,
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| Appearance: | Colourless to pale yellowy green liquid.
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| Aroma Description: | Eucalyptus like, camphoraceous odour.
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| Perfume note: | Top
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| Blends well with: | Bergamot, birch, cardamom, clove, geranium, lavender, myrtle, nutmeg, rose, thyme.
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| Historical Uses: | Cajeput has been used for many years in the east for colds, headaches, throat infections, toothache, sore and aching muscles, fever (cholera), rheumatism and various skin diseases.
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| Modern Uses: | Cajeput oil is used for chronic laryngitis and bronchitis, cystitis, rheumatism and to expel roundworm. Used in dentistry and pharmaceutical work as an antiseptic; in expectorant and tonic formulations, throat lozenges, gargles, etc. Used as a fragrance and freshening agent in soaps, cosmetics, detergents and perfumes.
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| Cautions: | Normally non-toxic, non-sensitizing, may irritate some skin types.
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| Aromatherapy Uses: |
Circulation, Muscles and Joints - Arthritis, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism.
Immune System - Colds, flu, viral infections.
Genito-urinary System - Cystitis, urethritis, urinary infections.
Respiratory System - Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis, sore throat.
Skin Care - Insect bites, oily skin, spots.
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| Main Constituents, % |
| 1,8-cineol |
14 - 69 |
| α-pinene |
8 |
| β-pinene |
1.1 |
| Linalool |
3.5 |
| Limonene |
Trace |
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| Physical Actions |
| Mildly analgesic, anti-microbial, anti neuralgic (pulmonary, urinary, intestinal), anthelminthic, diaphoretic, carminative, expectorant, febrifuge, insecticide, sudorific, tonic. |
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| Toxicity |
LD50 - (oral) rat > 4g/kg; (dermal) rabbit >5g/kg.
Irritation/Sensitisation - Nil at 4% (Human)
Phototoxicity - Nil |
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