Certified Organic Cajeput Leaf Essential Oil
Botanical name: Melaleuca cajeputi
Common name: Cajeput
Plant part: Leaves and twigs
Extraction: Steam distilled
Common uses: Cajeput has traditionally been used for its antiseptic, carminative and local analgesic properties.
Note: Middle
Strength of aroma: Medium
Aromatic scent: Fresh, camphorous aroma with a slight fruity note.
Caution: No known toxicity. Avoid during pregnancy.
Cajeput oil is a strong, camphoraceous oil, used in aromatherapy to soothe respiratory distress and clear chest and nasal congestion.
The source of Cajeput oil is the Melaleuca leucadendra, also called Melaleuca cajeputi and the Cajeput oil tree. This tree has thick white wood. It is found in Australia, the islands between Australia and Malaysia and in Indonesia. The oil is distilled from the leaves and twigs of this tree. However, before distillation, the mixture is fermented for some time. Since the oil is steam distilled, it is organic and retains its original nutrients.
Properties:
Cajeput oil exerts many therapeutic properties and it is widely appreciated in aromatherapy.
- Decongestant - It provides relief from nasal and chest congestion.
- Expectorant - It aids the release of phlegm from the lungs.
- Analgesic - It has a powerful pain relieving effect.
- Antibacterial - It kills certain species of bacteria. [1]
- Antifungal - It kills many fungi species.
- Antiviral - It is active against some viruses too.
- Antineuralgic - It exerts a protective effect on the nervous system.
- Antiseptic - prevents infection in wounds.
- Carminative - It aids in the expulsion of intestinal gas.
- Diaphoretic - It promotes excessive sweating.
- Antipyretic ( febrifuge ) - It alleviates a fever.
- Insecticide - It is used to kill many species of insects.
- Vulnerary ( cicatrizant ) - aids in healing cuts, scrapes and wounds.
- Tonic - Promotes better working of the channels of the body.
- Antispasmodic - reduces spasms.
- Astringent - shrinks the skin and takes away excess oil.
- Anti-Inflammatory - reduces inflammation.
- Antioxidant - protects the cells from free radical damage.
Color and Aroma Cajeput oil has a tea tree oil like pale yellow color. It has a strong camphoraceous odor. It smells somewhat like hyacinth and has herbaceous undertones, which make it somewhat different from camphor oil.
Blends Well With Cajeput oil goes well with tea tree oil, eucalyptus essential oil and clove essential oil. It also blends well with all kinds of spice oils, rosemary oil, lavender oil, ylang-ylang essential oil and woody oils like pine oil and cedar oil. Jojoba oil is a wonderful carrier for cajeput essential oil.
