The Essential Oil of Cajeput - An Oil Held in High Regard in the East

By Linda Lee Smith

Cajeput (Melaleuca cajeputi) is in the myrtle family. The oil is one of the melaleuca trees that grow wild in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Java, Australia and southeastern Asia. The oil today comes from Australia where steam distillation is used on the fresh leaves and twigs. This is a tall evergreen tree that grows up to 98 feet in height. It has thick pointed leaves and white flowers. It uniquely has a flexible trunk with whitish, spongy bark that flakes off easily. Traditionally cajeput in the East is was used for colds, headaches, throat infections, toothache, sore and aching muscles, fever, rheumatism and various skin disease. It was used in the herbal tradition to produce a sensation of warmth and quickening of the pulse. Native peoples used it for chronic laryngitis and bronchitis, cystitis, rheumatism and to expel roundworms.

How Can We Benefit from Cajeput Essential Oil Today?

Today we observe cajeput to have antibacterial, antiparasitic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is used for throat, lung, and sinus infections, for urinary tract infections, coughs, and intestinal problems. Cajeput can be taken internally by diluting it 50-50 with a vegetable oil, it can be diluted 50-50 and applied on location, on the chakras/vita flex points, it can be directly inhaled, or diffused. Cajeput mixes well with wintergreen, eucalyptus radiata, juniper and peppermint. As for safety, cajeput is non-toxic, non-sensitizing but it may irritate the skin in high concentrations. Caution is advised to make sure you do not have synthetic cajeput since it may cause blistering and skin eruption.

Want to learn more about the healing properties of cajeput and other essential oils? Consider becoming a certified aromatherapist. Educational courses in healing energy and aromatherapy can help you understand how essential oils heal the body/mind/spirit.

Check this out for more information on learning to heal through the art of aromatherapy as a clinical aromatherapist. http://www.ISHAaromatherapy.com For educational courses on healing energy and the laying-on of hands, you can go to http://www.HTSpiritualMinistry.com You can also read more about aromatherapy and cajeput essential oil in Linda Smith's books: Called into Healing, Reclaiming our Judeo-Christian Legacy of Healing Touch, and Healing Oils Healing Hands, Discovering the Power of Prayer, Hands On Healing and Anointing. You can find these books and much more on my web site at http://www.ISHAhealing.com/HealingStore/tabid/348/Default.aspx