Cajuput or cajeput is a kind of tree where the oil yield from processed dry leaves can be used for medicine. Although cajuput is used for many health purposes, there is no scientific evidence to assess how effective it is. The cajuput plant belongs to the members of the guava tribe (Myrtaceae) and the genus Melaleuca.

Cajuput oil can be used alone or in combination with other ingredients such as antiseptic lotion used to treat joint pain (rheumatism) and other pain. The cajuput oil has a strong camphoraceous odor like the smell of water hyacinth that contains herbs.

The content of Cajuput Oil and Its properties

In cajuput oil contained elements that benefit the body, such as eucalyptol, valeraldehyde, sesquiterpenes, pinocarveol, pine, terpineol, globular camphene, cineol, fenchone, and butyraldehyde.

In addition to the above substances, cajuput oil has several properties such as the following:

• Decongestants help remove tightness in the chest when inhaled through the nose
• The expectorant helps release mucus from the lungs.
• Analgesics help relieve pain.
• Antibacterial helps kill certain bacterial species in the body.
• Anti-fungal helps kill fungal species.
• Antivirus active against some viruses.
• Antineuralgic provides a protective effect on the nervous system.
• Antiseptic preventing infection of the wound.
• Carminative assisting the expulsion of gas in the gut.
• Removes sweat promotes excessive sweating.
• Antipyretics to relieve fever.
• Insecticides used to kill many species of insects.
• Vulnerary (cicatrizant) helps in healing wounds and scratches.
• Tonic improves better work of the body channels.
• Antispasmodic reducing seizures.
• Astringent removes excess oil from the skin.
• Anti-inflammatory reduces inflammation.
• Antioxidants antioxidant benefits protect cells from free radical damage.

Cajuput oil is produced from fresh leaf extracts and twigs of cajuput trees. These processed products can be used to treat colds, headaches, toothaches, tumors; loosened phlegm and can also be applied as a tonic. Some people assume that applying cajuput oil to the skin can avoid infection due to scabies and fungal infections on the skin. Here are the full benefits of cajuput oil:

1. Aromatherapy

Cajuput oil has anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties that can be used for various types of soap products, deodorant, lotion, and perfume. The oil provides warm sensation and soft aroma that can give relaxing effects. It is also an essential oil that not only can provide aromatherapy sensation and used for reducing brain fog and lethargy and increasing concentration, but also can help encourage self-confidence and ward off anxiety just like the benefits of Mimulus.

2. Relieves Stomach Complaints and Disorders

Warm sensations that arise when applying cajuput oil in the stomach can reduce symptoms of flatulence, colds, stomach pain, and nausea.

3. Treating Dizziness or a Headache

A headache should be treated immediately so it wouldn’t disturb our work and daily activities. We always used medicine that has a function as a painkiller, but consuming medicine has side effects such as sleepy, nausea, and so forth that also can inhibit our activities. The natural way to recover from the disease is by applying the cajuput oil on the back and side of the neck. This will provide fresh air and can relax the respiratory system. When our body gets more relax and less tense, the dizziness and headache will also decrease.

4. Reduce Symptoms of Fever

Applying a cold compress with a solution of water that has been mixed with a few drops of cajuput oil is believed to have a cooling effect on the skin. So this can help lower the fever just like the benefits of purslane.

5. Relieves Toothache

Health benefits of cajeput oil proved that it can reduce the symptoms of a toothache by mixing the oil with turmeric powder and apply to the area that is in pain. It also believed can reduce the pain on the gums due to tooth loss. The other way is by taking a few drops of cajeput oil on cotton and placed the cotton in the pain area. This can help quickly and lasts for several hours. In addition, it also can ward off the germs in the mouth.

6. Distress Respiration

There are many conditions where some people suffered from the uncomfortable respiratory tract, such as:

• Cold
• A cough
• Flu
• Infection such as pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Sleep Apnea (COPD)

In such a condition we can use one of the health benefits of cajeput oil that can help to ease the feeling of tightness in the chest as well as nasal congestion. The cajeput oil can also help to get rid mucus, thinning the sputum, and relaxing effects on the nasal cavity, so that the cold air and stuffy nose will soon be overcome.

Not yet clearly known whether the therapy using the cajeput oil can help the symptoms of asthma, but some health experts claim that it can actually worsen the disease and trigger asthma in some people.

7. Relieve Backpain

One of the applications of cajeput oil is to help reducing pain such as injuries, arthritis, gout, back pain, and even some nerve problems such as sciatica, neuralgia, and neuronitis. Why? Because the oil has properties as an anti-inflammatory that can help reducing pain.

How to do that? You can mix a few drops of cajeput oil with castor oil or olive oil and apply it by massaging the pain area.

8. Prevent Infections from Injuries

Antiseptics contained in cajeput oil can be used to prevent the possibility of infection of the wound, such as scratches or burns. Add a few drops of cajeput oil in clean water, then use to wash the wound. 

9. Helps Overcome Oily Skin

Cajeput oil contains a strong substance. One of them is because it has astringent properties that can help reduce the oil content in the face. The trick is to add a few drops of cajeput oil in water, then smeared on the face using cotton.

10. Eliminate Dandruff

Cajeput oil can also be used to help eliminate dandruff. The trick is to use it together with shampoo. Then do massage reflection for a while on the head. After that, let stand 3 to 5 minutes, rinse head with warm water. Thus, there are more many health benefits of cajeput oil.

11. Treating Skin Infections

Some people assume that applying cajeput oil to the skin can avoid infection due to scabies and fungal infections of the skin, such as tinea versicolor. In addition, the benefits of cajeput oil can also be used to treat infectious diseases, which are found in mushrooms in some fish, such as betta fish.

12. Reduces Inflammation of The Mucous Membranes (Sinusitis)

Cajeput oil can also help in treating sinusitis and general sinus congestion. The way is to blend cajeput oil on evaporation therapy with water benefits. When water is cooked and boiled, add about 20 drops of cajeput oil. Then inhale the steam from this essential oil. This therapy can eliminate sinus congestion and severe headaches associated with this disorder can also be reduced.

13.Relieves Muscle Cramps

One of the benefits that can be taken from cajeput oil aid is to relieve all types of cramps. Cajeput oil can be added to warm water commonly used for bathing, to reduce muscle cramps. The way to mix water with:

• Add about 1 cup of salt or salt Epsom
• Cajeput oil about 20 drops
• As well as lavender essential oil
• Soak with the ingredients
• Perform gentle massage on muscle pain due to cramps

14. Reduce The Risk of Seizures and Fainting

A seizure is a pretty dangerous condition, it can have an impact on death. This disorder can be caused by high fever as well as others. To overcome this apply cajeput oil under the nose and the area around the lips.

15. Mosquito Repellent

Cajeput oil can be used with water spray to repel lice. It can also repel mosquitoes and many other insect species.

16. Treating Diabetes and Obesity

A study published in the Journal of Natural Medicine, April 2013, from the Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan showed that water and methanol extracts of 28 medicinal plants including cajeput, can be used in the treatment of impaired glucose tolerance, and type diabetes 2. They claimed that the herb may increase insulin sensitivity, improve glycemic control, and resistance to diet due to obesity. 

17. As An Herbal Drink

Although all producers of cajeput oil prohibit it for deep use. But a member of the Indonesian Doctors Association of Eastern Traditional Medical Developers, in Jakarta, named dr. Adji Suranto, SpA, stated that cajeput oil can be used as an oral medication such as:

• to treat colds
• throat infection
• intestinal worms
• cholera
• abdominal pain as a mouthwash for oral infections

How to use it is by mixing 1-10 drops 100% eucalyptus oil content with a solution of a stone sugar (about 4 grams). The first thing to notice is not to use it over the dose because if used excessively, it can lead to increased heart rate and excessive sweating. 

Side Effects of Cajeput Oil

Cajeput oil is a strong irritant. Thus, its use should always be in a dilute condition in the base oil or water. This oil should not be used by pregnant women, nor infants. Cajeput oil can be helpful for eczema but may be harmful to other skin conditions such as psoriasis. This oil is not used internally, although it is carminative (aids in the expulsion of gas in the gut).

Note to avoid the use of the eye, or its use should remain far from the eye. Because this essential oil has a heat effect that if exposed to the eye can cause pain and irritation of the eye even if only a few moments.