Cajuput essential oil is made from distilled leaves and branches of cajuput trees. It has several potential health benefits and may help promote healthy skin and hair.
Cajuput is indigenous to tropical regions in Australia and Southeast Asia. It also goes by the names of cajuput, kajuput, melaleuca cajuputi, and minyak kayu putih.
The oil is primarily known for its antiseptic qualities. It is also considered an anti-inflammatory and is sometimes used to treat minor skin wounds, colds, and inflammatory skin diseases.
Despite its use as a natural product, cajuput oil can be as strong as traditional medication. Like all essential oils, it should be diluted in a carrier oil before applying it to your skin.
While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.
Learn more about the uses for cajuput oil and precautions before trying this essential oil yourself.
It’s important to carefully weigh any purported benefits of cajuput with the available research. Here’s what we know so far.
Cajuput oil for your skin
Cajuput oil has primarily been established as an
While not well-established, cajuput may also help loosen mucus found in the airways and manage bronchitis symptoms. However, further research is still needed to confirm this.
Cajuput oil for hair
The medicinal qualities of cajuput oil are also promoted in hair care. Scalp care and hair growth may be two of these benefits. However, there’s a lack of evidence proving that cajuput can treat hair loss or any scalp condition.
Other purported benefits
Cajuput oil is also promoted in various natural health outlets as helpful for the following conditions:
Still, there’s not enough scientific evidence to support any of these uses. It is important ti talk with a doctor before using the cajuput oil for any medicinal purposes.
While researchers worldwide continue to test possible vaccines for COVID-19, there are some looking at other possible measures for preventing infection with the new coronavirus.
One
The researchers then took extracts of cajuput oil to see how it would react in human proteins that are commonly attacked by this type of coronavirus.
The study’s results showed some activity that could slow down the virus. However, cajuput oil wasn’t conclusively shown to prevent the new coronavirus from entering the body.
Additional studies are needed to help determine how people could take cajuput oil in such a manner, and how any potential effects could vary across different age groups and demographics.
COVID-19 prevention guidelines
It is important to follow the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on COVID-19 prevention, such as:
While you may want to supplement your prevention strategy with essential oils, it is important not to replace proven measures with essential oils and other alternative methods that need further clinical studies and human trials.
Eucalyptus oil is a better-known essential oil. Cajuput oil has a similar scent to eucalyptus, which has a strong medicinal aroma.
Both are also used topically for antiseptic purposes.
Eucalyptus oil has also been
Trying to decide between cajuput and eucalyptus oils? Both have similar effects and benefits, but eucalyptus is more widely available.
Cajuput oil specifically has not been found to lead to any side effects. However, there is a risk of side effects when using any essential oil, such as:
- coughing
- nose or throat irritation
- shortness of breath
If using topically on your skin and hair, it’s important to dilute cajuput with a carrier oil first. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy recommends the following for topical use: Start with three to six drops per ounce of carrier oil. If you don’t have sensitive skin, you can gradually increase this amount up to 15 drops.
Use caution when using cajuput in aromatherapy. Avoid direct inhalation, as this oil is strong enough to possibly cause or worsen breathing problems. You should also keep in mind who else might be inhaling this oil. Some essential oils are dangerous for pregnant people, children, and pets.
It’s also possible for cajuput oil to cause drug interactions. If you currently take any prescription or over-the-counter medications, you should talk with a doctor before using cajuput.
When properly diluted and tested for allergic reactions, cajuput oil may be safely used for your hair and skin. You should never take essential oils by mouth.
For skin care
Once you’ve conducted a patch test, you may apply diluted cajuput oil on a larger area of skin. You can apply it directly to minor wounds, scratches, and rashes. Another option is to add a few drops to an ounce of body lotion.
For hair
You can also use diluted cajuput oil for hair in the same way you would for skin application. Another option is to add several drops of the essential oil to your shampoo before massaging it into your scalp.
In aromatherapy
While directly inhaling cajuput oil from the bottle isn’t advised, you may consider diffusing the oil for aromatherapy. You may find temporary relief from congestion and headaches, but it’s unclear whether aromatherapy can have significant effects on pain and inflammation in this way.
Cajuput oil is used in alternative medicine for issues like wounds, colds, and inflammation. Like other essential oils, cajuput is unlikely to cause harm when used as aromatherapy, but it may cause adverse reactions when directly inhaled or used topically on your skin or scalp. Consider talking with a doctor before use.