CAJEPUT ESSENTIAL OIL

Latin Binomial: Melaleuca cajeputi
Plant Part: Leaves
Extraction: Steam Distilled
Growing Practice: Ethical
Country of Origin: Indonesia
Odor Type: CAMPHOROUS

Odor Characteristic: The scent is highly camphoraceous, terpenic-resinous and sweet. Dryout is dirty, terpenic.

Refractive Index: 1.46700 to 1.47030 @ 20.00 °C.
Specific Gravity: 0.91900 to 0.92200 @ 15.00 °C.
Appearance: colorless to pale green clear liquid
BioChemical Class: Oxide, Alcohol
BioChemicals: The principal constituent of oil is cineol, which should average 45 to 55 per cent. Solid terpineol is also present and several aldehydes such as valeric, butyric and benzoic.

(-)-Terpinen-4-Ol, 1,8-Cineol, Alpha-Pinene, Alpha-Terpineol, Amino acid, azulene, benz-Aldehyde, Beta-Caryophyllene, Beta-Pinene, betulin, Betulinic-Acid, Camphene, Campherol, Cineol, Dipentene, essential oil, Eucalyptol, Friedelin, Gallic acid, Gamma-Terpinene, Guaiol, isoquercitrin, isovaleric acid, limonene, Nerolidol, Oleanolic-Acid, P-Cymene, Saponins, Silica, Tannic acid, Terpineol, Terpinolene, Ursolic-Acid
CAS No: 8008-98-8
INCI Name: MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON CAJUPUTI LEAF OIL

About the Plant

Melaleuca cajuputi, from the Myrtaceae family, is sometimes classified as M. leucadendron. *This is important to aromatherapy because M.leucadendron is classified as a methyl eugenol chemotype, or methyl iso-eugenol chemotype and M.cajuputi has a notably high 1.8 cineole content.

Cajuput is distributed throughout the Moluccas Islands, especially Bouru and in India, Java and Vietnam. Distribution can be broadly described as stretching from S.E. Asia to N. Australia. It is an evergreen shrub with a low oil yield (0.5 to 2.5%). Cajeput is a small tree, with white, thick bark that is soft and peels. Branchlets are grayish-white, leaves alternate, narrow and leathery with numerous oil glands. Flowers are glabrous, white, in spikes.

Abstract of hydrodistillation: http://www.actahort.org/books/680/680_8.htm

Aromatherapy: See *note in plant information. The essential oil is highly stimulant, expectorant and antiseptic, used primarily in respiratory blends and chronic laryngitis/bronchitis. Cajeput essential oil is a powerful and very diffusive stimulant and relaxant. It has been traditionally made into liniments of the highly stimulating grade, designed for rheumatic and gouty patients, and for use in cholera and over the seat of deep inflammations.

Properties and uses: Antibacterial, Anticonvulsant, Antineuralgic, AntiRheumatic, Carminative, Common cold, Cough, Expectorant, Inflammation of the ear, Pain, Tonic; and is similar in use to Eucalyptus.

Tisserand rates Cajeput essential oil as orally non-toxic, non-toxic for skin irritation, not sensitizing, and not phototoxic.

The information provided on these pages is not a substitute for necessary medical care, nor intended as medical advice. Always keep aromatic extracts tightly closed and in a cool, dark place, out of reach of children. Never ingest aromatic extracts. Always dilute aromatic extracts when applying topically and avoid areas around eyes or mucous membranes. If redness or irritation occurs, stop using immediately and contact your health provider if necessary.