Cajeput essential oil comes from the Melaleuca tree, Leucadendron which is a native of Australia, areas of Indonesia called Sulawesi, the Malay Peninsula, and the Malay Archipelago. The oil is distilled from the leaves and small twigs by way of a fermentation process, and a good percentage of the oil comes from the island of Sulawesi. The oil is thin and almost colorless with slight shades of yellow or green; it has a spicy camphor medicinal smell and feels warm to touch.

Health benefits of cajeput oil are in the fact that different preparations have been used as a therapy in Malaysia and Indonesia for centuries, and where it has been used as a folk remedy for colds, flu and other problems.

Cajeput oil are said to be in its anti microbial or germ killing actions, it is also said to be an analgesic, an antiseptic and can be used as an insecticide. It may help with the symptoms of congestion in coughs and colds and can be useful for clearing the nasal passage. It may be helpful for sinus infections and other respiratory problems where there is congestion. It could also be useful for the treatment of muscle and joint pain, and may help with conditions of arthritis, rheumatism and other types of neuralgic pain.

The trees yielding the oil are found throughout Maritime Southeast Asia and over the hotter parts of the Australiancontinent. The majority of the oil is produced on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The name “cajeput” is derived from its Indonesian name, “kayu putih” or "white wood".

Cajeput was introduced to Europe from Indonesia in the early seventeenth century but was rare and expensive until the Dutch colonized the Moluccas. It has first mentioned in France in 1876 as having antiseptic properties.

Cajeput oil contains a chemical called cineole. When applied to the skin, cineole can cause surface warmth and irritation, which relieves pain beneath the skin.

The key use of Cajeput is to relieve stiff, aching joints caused by rheumatism. Cajeput oil is traditionally mixed with camphor as an external rub for arthritis and gout. Cajeput is antibacterial and clears congestion making it good inhalant oil for colds and sinus infections. The sweet scent of Cajeput uplifts the spirit while it cleanses the air.

Apply the Cajeput oil externally as first aid for burns, cramps, colic, earache, headache, muscle pain, and toothache. Cajeput is astringent oil that can benefit oily skin and help clear eczema.

In short Cajeput can be used in as many applications as the closely related Melaleuca alternifoliatea, tea tree oil, but with more caution as it is more irritating to the skin in high doses and cannot be applied undiluted.

Benefit & Uses: Other health benefits of Cajeput oil are similar to that of tea tree oil in its effect on fungal type infections such as ringworm, athlete's foot and tine. It may also be useful in treating the infectious skin diseases impetigo and scabies and for removing the scabies mite and head lice. Other uses may be in treating acne infections and eczema. When used in aromatherapy it is said to relieve fatigue and drowsiness.

Cajeput essential oil is used locally for colds, headaches, throat infections, toothache, sore and aching muscles, fever (cholera), and various skin problems. Cajeput essential oil is used for chronic laryngitis and bronchitis, cystitis, rheumatism, expelling roundworms, insect bites, oily skin, spots, arthritis, asthma, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis, and flu and viral infections.

 

It calms the digestive system and helps with colic, enteritis, dysentery, vomiting, spasms, arthritis, rheumatism and muscular aches and pains. Cajuput does not only help with skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis, it is also used to ward off insect bites from lice and fleas.