Cajaput-tree
StarMelaleuca leucadendra
Synonyms: Kajuputi leucadendron, Cajuputi leucadendron, Melaleuca amboinensis, Myrtus alba, Melaleuca leucadendra var. cunninghamii, Myrtus leucadendra, Melaleuca leucadendra var. lancifolia, Melaleuca leucadendra var. angusta, Melaleuca rigida, Melaleuca leucadendra var. mimosoides, Leptospermum leucodendron, Meladendron leucocladum, Melaleuca mimosoides
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Melaleuca leucadendra, the cajuput-tree or weeping paperbark, is a medium to large evergreen tree in the Myrtaceae family, native to northern Australia, New Guinea, eastern Indonesia, and parts of Southeast Asia. It commonly reaches 20 to 40 m in height and is distinguished by a thick, pale, papery, multi-layered bark that peels in large flexible sheets from the trunk and main branches. The leaves are alternate, narrowly lanceolate, 75 to 270 mm long and 6 to 40 mm wide, leathery, grey-green, and aromatic when crushed, with parallel longitudinal veins typical of the genus. Cream to white bottlebrush-like flower spikes, 30 to 80 mm long, bear numerous staminal bundles that emerge from a five-lobed cup; the flowers are highly nectariferous. Woody capsules about 3 to 4 mm in diameter persist along the stems after seed release. The species thrives in seasonally flooded coastal plains and swampy lowlands and is the principal source of cajuput essential oil distilled from its leaves. (POWO; Wikipedia)
Active Constituents
1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol)
Bicyclic monoterpene oxide (ether)Concentration: Dominant in cineole chemotypes (reported up to ~43-61% of the essential oil), but low/absent in some chemotypes
The principal active of cajuput oil in cineole-rich trees. It has expectorant, mucolytic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity and underlies the oil's traditional use for colds, congestion and respiratory complaints.
alpha-Terpineol
Monoterpene alcoholConcentration: Reported around 15% in some cineole-type oils
Contributes antimicrobial and mild sedative/anti-inflammatory activity and part of the characteristic aroma.
Viridiflorol
Sesquiterpene alcoholConcentration: Variable; up to ~8-28% depending on chemotype and provenance
A sesquiterpene alcohol with reported antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, sometimes a dominant constituent in certain populations.
(E)-Nerolidol
Sesquiterpene alcoholConcentration: Major constituent of a distinct nerolidol chemotype (e.g. Indian-grown material)
Defines a non-cineole chemotype; a sesquiterpene alcohol studied for antimicrobial, antiparasitic and skin-penetration-enhancing properties.
Terpinen-4-ol
Monoterpene alcoholConcentration: Minor (around 1% in cineole-type oils; higher in some chemotypes)
A broad-spectrum antimicrobial monoterpenol (the key antibacterial of the related tea-tree oil) contributing to cajuput oil's antiseptic action.
Monoterpene hydrocarbons (limonene, alpha-pinene, p-cymene, gamma-terpinene)
Monoterpene hydrocarbonsConcentration: Collectively a few to ~15% of the oil, varying by chemotype
Supporting aromatic constituents with mild antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity; p-cymene and the terpinenes dominate certain non-cineole M. leucadendra oils.
Methyleugenol
PhenylpropanoidConcentration: Present in some M. leucadendra chemotypes
An aromatic phenylpropanoid contributing to odour; noted as a compound of toxicological interest (potential genotoxic carcinogen) that warrants attention in oils where it is abundant.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Drugs metabolised by CYP3A4
1,8-Cineole, the main constituent of cineole-type cajuput oil, is metabolised by and can induce hepatic drug-metabolising enzymes (CYP3A); older experimental work showed cineole accelerates the metabolism of co-administered drugs such as barbiturates and aminopyrine.
Clinical note: Relevant mainly with high or prolonged internal exposure; ordinary topical or inhalational aromatherapy use is unlikely to cause clinically important interactions, but caution is reasonable with narrow-therapeutic-index CYP3A substrates.
Preparation Methods
Cajuput essential oil (steam distillation)
Parts: leaves, terminal twigs
The fresh leaves and young twigs are steam-distilled to yield cajuput ('minyak kayu putih') oil, used diluted for topical rubs and in steam inhalations for colds, muscular and joint pain. WARNING: the essential oil is a skin and mucous-membrane irritant and must be diluted; internal use of more than tiny flavouring amounts can be toxic. Cineole-containing oils must NOT be applied to the face or near the nostrils of infants and young children because of the risk of laryngospasm and breathing difficulty.
Leaf infusion / steam (traditional)
Parts: leaves
In Southeast Asian and Australian Aboriginal practice the aromatic leaves are infused or crushed and their vapours inhaled for coughs, colds and fever, and applied for aches and skin complaints.
Clinical Studies
Essential Oil from Melaleuca leucadendra: Antimicrobial, Antikinetoplastid, Antiproliferative and Cytotoxic Assessment
The 1,8-cineole-rich essential oil (about 61% cineole, 16% alpha-terpineol) was highly active against Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma brucei (IC50 <10 microg/mL) and moderately antiproliferative against cancer cell lines, with lower toxicity to non-malignant cells; in mice it significantly reduced Leishmania lesion size and parasite burden, comparably to Glucantime.
Historical Texts
Rumphius, Herbarium Amboinense
compiled late 17th century, published 1741-1750European pharmacopoeias and materia medica (Oleum Cajuputi)
18th-19th centuryReferences
- Monzote L, Scherbakov AM, Scull R, et al.. Essential Oil from Melaleuca leucadendra: Antimicrobial, Antikinetoplastid, Antiproliferative and Cytotoxic Assessment . Molecules (2020) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Cajaput-tree.
No notes yet.