Latin name: Melaleuca leucadendron
Source country: Australia, Indonesia
Appearance: Clear to pale yellow thin liquid
Aroma: Ethereal, medicinal, camphoraceous.
Derivation: The oil is distilled from the leaves and twigs of the cajeput tree.
Chemicals: The main constituents are 1,8-cineol (14-65%), terpineol, terpinyl acetate,
pinene, nerolidol, both free and as an ester of acetic acid, and small amounts of terpenes,
such as laevo-pinene. Cineol is eucalyptol which is also found in eucalyptus oil and
exhibits strong antibacterial properties.
Uses: The largest use of cajeput is by vapourising the oil to help with bronchial, sinus,
and respiratory problems. It is used in Olbas oil for this reason. It is also used for
rheumatic aches and pains by virtue of its rubifacient properties. It is present in high
concentrations in products like Tiger Balm for example. It is highly antibacterial. It has a
host of other claimed uses such as for burns, pain remedy such as toothache, earache,
headache etc. However it is more popular in the far East than in the West since it has not
been marketed as heavily in the West.
Note: As with all pure essential oils, dilute appropriately with a suitable carrier oil
before using on the skin. Do not take essential oils internally
