Cajeput (Melaleuca leucadendron) Research

Latin Names: Melaleuca leucadendron  var. cajuputi

Other Latin Names: Melaleuca cajuputi  Powell, Melaleuca viridiflora, Melaleuca minor

Family: Myrtaceae

Cajeput is a paperbark tree similar to eucalyptus.  It has shown antimicrobial and insect repelling activity.  It has been used as a folk remedy to help with respiratory complaints.

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action. This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• WebMD. (n.d.).  Cajuput. Retrieved in November, 2015.  Retrieved from www.webmd.com
• Lis-Balchin, M.  (2006). Aromatherapy science, A guide for healthcare professionals.  Pharmaceutical Press:  London.
• Petersen, D. (2015). Aromatherapy materia medica.  Essential oil monographs.  American College of Healthcare Sciences.

SAFETY

• The constituents of cineole and benzaldehyde in the essential oil can be skin sensitizing (Petersen, 2015).
• This is an expensive oil subject to adulteration by less expensive oils like camphor, eucalyptus, and rosemary (Lis-Balchin, 2006).
• Avoid during pregnancy (Lis-Balchin, 2006).
• Avoid internal use due to high cineole and terpene level (Lis-Balchin, 2006).  Can cause symptoms of poisoning (Petersen, 2015).
• Avoid with small children due to 1-8 cineole content (Lis-Balchin, 2006).
• Avoid in those with asthma (WebMD, nd).
• Contraindicated with epilepsy and hypertension (Petersen, 2015).

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIFUNGAL

• Cajeput oil and its isolated constituents of linalool, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, and 1,8-cineole demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients’ clinical material.  From:  Cuong, N. D., Xuyen, T. T., Motl, O., Stránský, K., Presslova, J., Jedlickova, Z., & Serý, V. (1994). Antibacterial properties of Vietnamese cajuput oil. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 6(1), 63-67.
• Melaleuca leucadendra was antifungal against candida and could be useful in combination with traditional antibiotics.  From:  Zhang, J., Wu, H., Jiang, D., Yang, Y., Tang, W., & Xu, K. (2018). The antifungal activity of essential oil from Melaleuca leucadendra (L.) L. grown in China and its synergistic effects with conventional antibiotics against Candida. Natural product research, 1-4.
• Thymus vulgaris (thyme), Ocimum gratissimum (basil) and Eugenia caryophyllata (clove) were particularly antibacterial with a large spectra action, and Melaleuca viridiflora (cajeput) had also a high inhibitory effect especially on Gram positive bacteria.  From:  Ramanoelina, A. R., Terrom, G. P., Bianchini, J. P., & Coulanges, P. (1986). [Antibacterial action of essential oils extracted from Madagascar plants]. Archives de l’Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, 53(1), 217-226.
• Cajeput and basil oils were combined to demonstrate topical antibacterial application.  From:  Jedlickova, Z., Mottl, O., & Serý, V. (1991). Antibacterial properties of the Vietnamese cajeput oil and ocimum oil in combination with antibacterial agents. Journal of hygiene, epidemiology, microbiology, and immunology, 36(3), 303-309.
• Cajeput was antifungal against Fomitopsis palustris,Trametes versicolor, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Chaetomium globosum and also showed some antioxidant and anti-hyaluronidase activity. From:  Rini, P., Ohtani, Y., & Ichiura, H. (2012). Antioxidant, anti-hyaluronidase and antifungal activities of Melaleuca leucadendron Linn. leaf oils. Journal of wood science, 58(5), 429-436.
• Cinnamon, oregano, savory, thyme, clove, lemongrass, cajeput, and allspice showed antibacterial activity against meat spoilage bacteria.  From:  Oussalah, M., Caillet, S., Saucier, L., & Lacroix, M. (2006). Antimicrobial effects of selected plant essential oils on the growth of a Pseudomonas putida strain isolated from meat. Meat science, 73(2), 236-244.
• The antimicrobial effect of linalool, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol and 1,8-cineole as isolated constituents of cajeput oil was demonstrated.  From:  Cuong, N. D., Xuyen, T. T., Motl, O., Stránský, K., Presslova, J., Jedlickova, Z., & Serý, V. (1994). Antibacterial properties of Vietnamese cajuput oil. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 6(1), 63-67.
• Antibacterial activity of Australian tea tree, cajeput, niaouli, kanuka, manuka, and eucalyptus oil were assessed.  From: Harkenthal, M., Reichling, J., Geiss, H. K., & Saller, R. (1999). Comparative study on the in vitro antibacterial activity of Australian tea tree oil, cajuput oil, niaouli oil, manuka oil, kanuka oil, and eucalyptus oil. Die Pharmazie, 54(6), 460-463.
• Antimicrobial activities of lavender, thyme, peppermint, cajeput, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, sage, and tea tree were summarized.  From:  Wińska, K., Mączka, W., Łyczko, J., Grabarczyk, M., Czubaszek, A., & Szumny, A. (2019). Essential Oils as Antimicrobial Agents—Myth or Real Alternative?. Molecules, 24(11), 2130.
• M. leucadendron was found marginally active against T. b. Brucei bacteria. From:  Fernández-Calienes Valdés, A., Mendiola Martínez, J., Scull Lizama, R., Vermeersch, M., Cos, P., & Maes, L. (2008). In vitro anti-microbial activity of the Cuban medicinal plants Simarouba glauca DC, Melaleuca leucadendron L and Artemisia absinthium L. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 103(6), 615-618.
• Olbas oil, a blend of peppermint, eucalyptus, and cajuput oil, along with a small amount of juniper berry and wintergreen showed strong antimicrobial activity in vitro that may be effective against various skin or respiratory infections.  From:  Hamoud, R., Sporer, F., Reichling, J., & Wink, M. (2012). Antimicrobial activity of a traditionally used complex essential oil distillate (Olbas® Tropfen) in comparison to its individual essential oil ingredients. Phytomedicine, 19(11), 969-976.
• Australian tea tree oil, cajuput, niaouli, lema, kanuka, and manuka showed antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus.  From:  Christoph, F., Stahl-Biskup, E., & Kaulfers, P. M. (2001). Death kinetics of Staphylococcus aureus exposed to commercial tea tree oils sl. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 13(2), 98-102.
• The antimicrobial activities of Melaleuca spp is reviewed. From: Sharifi‐Rad, J., Salehi, B., Varoni, E. M., Sharopov, F., Yousaf, Z., Ayatollahi, S. A., … & Iriti, M. (2017). Plants of the Melaleuca genus as antimicrobial agents: From farm to pharmacy. Phytotherapy Research, 31(10), 1475-1494.
• Clove, cajeput, tea tree, naiouli, and eucalyptus showed varying degrees of activity against Penicillium commune. From: Tančinová, D., Foltinová, D., Mašková, Z., Štefániková, J., & Árvay, J. (2019). Effect of essential oils of Myrtaceae plants on the Penicillium commune. Potravinarstvo Slovak Journal of Food Sciences, 13(1), 604-613.
• Antimicrobial activities of essential oils from Melaleuca species were demonstrated. From: Farag, R. S., Shalaby, A. S., El‐Baroty, G. A., Ibrahim, N. A., Ali, M. A., & Hassan, E. M. (2004). Chemical and biological evaluation of the essential oils of different Melaleuca species. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives, 18(1), 30-35.

ANTIOXIDANT

• ​​Free radical scavenging activity was assessed for M. leucadendra.  From:  Pino, J. A., Regalado, E. L., Rodríguez, J. L., & Fernández, M. D. (2010). Phytochemical Analysis and in vitro Free‐Radical‐Scavenging Activities of the Essential Oils from Leaf and Fruit of Melaleuca leucadendra L. Chemistry & biodiversity, 7(9), 2281-2288.
• Cajeput was antifungal against Fomitopsis palustris,Trametes versicolor, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Chaetomium globosum and also showed some antioxidant and anti-hyaluronidase activity. From:  Rini, P., Ohtani, Y., & Ichiura, H. (2012). Antioxidant, anti-hyaluronidase and antifungal activities of Melaleuca leucadendron Linn. leaf oils. Journal of wood science, 58(5), 429-436.

​NEUROPROTECTIVE

• In a review of essential oils from the Myrtaceae family, those containing higher amount of 1,8-cineole demonstrated the highest activity to inhibit the AchE.  Alzheimer’s disease is related to a loss of neuron function and neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). From:  Petrachaianan, T., Chaiyasirisuwan, S., Athikomkulchai, S., & Sareedenchai, V. (2019). Screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity in essential oil from Myrtaceae. TJPS, 43(1), 63-68.

SUNSCREEN

• Cajeput in a recipe showed good absorption and high potential to be useful as a sunscreen.  From:  Sainorudin, M. H., Rozaini, M. Z. H., Hamzah, H., Saupi, A. A. M., Norazemi, N. F., Ismail, Z., … & Zain, M. H. (2015). Preliminary Study of Sunscreen and Anti-Tyrosinase Effect on Microemulsion Extract from Melaleuca Cajuputi Essential Oil using Nonionic Surfactant. GSTF Journal of Chemical Sciences (JChem), 2(1).

PRESERVATIVE

• Cinnamon, oregano, savory, thyme, clove, lemongrass, cajeput, and allspice showed antibacterial activity against meat spoilage bacteria.  From:  Oussalah, M., Caillet, S., Saucier, L., & Lacroix, M. (2006). Antimicrobial effects of selected plant essential oils on the growth of a Pseudomonas putida strain isolated from meat. Meat science, 73(2), 236-244.

RESPIRATORY HEALTH

• Melaleuca lencadendron strongly inhibited histamine releases from rat mast cells with ursolic acid, a triterpene, being the most active compound followed by two stilbenes: piceatannol and oxyresveratrol.  From:  Tsuruga, T., Chun, Y.T., Ebizuka, Y., and Sankawa, U. (1991). Biologically active constituents of Melaleuca leucadendron: inhibitors of induced histamine release from rat mast cells. Chemical and pharmaceutical bulletin, 39(12), 3276-3278.
• Olbas oil, a blend of peppermint, eucalyptus, and cajuput oil, along with a small amount of juniper berry and wintergreen showed strong antimicrobial activity in vitro that may be effective against various skin or respiratory infections.  From:  Hamoud, R., Sporer, F., Reichling, J., & Wink, M. (2012). Antimicrobial activity of a traditionally used complex essential oil distillate (Olbas® Tropfen) in comparison to its individual essential oil ingredients. Phytomedicine, 19(11), 969-976.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

• Melaleuca leucadendron (cajeput), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Cinnamomum burmani (cinnamon), Strychnos ligustrina, and Piper nigrum (black pepper) may inhibit CYP3A4 and/or CYP2D6 in the liver, affecting drug and chemicals metabolism.  From:  Usia, T., Iwata, H., Kadota, S., & Tezuka, Y. (2006). Mechanism-based inhibition of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 by Indonesian medicinal plants. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 105(3), 449-455.

​INSECT REPELLENT / INSECTICIDAL

• M. cajuputi leaf essential oil had repellency, fumigant and contact toxicities against the insects: Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum.  From:  Ko, K., Juntarajumnong, W., & Chandrapatya, A. (2009). Repellency, fumigant and contact toxicities of Melaleuca cajuputi Powell against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky and Tribolium castaneum Herbst. Thai Journal of Agricultural Science, 42(1), 27-33.
• Essential oils were tested on human skin against the yellow fever mosquito,  the malaria vector, and the filariasis and encephalitis vector.  The five most effective oils were those of Litsea cubeba (litsea), Melaleuca leucadendron (cajeput), Melaleuca quinquenervia (niaouli), Viola odorata (violet), and Nepeta cataria (catnip), with a protection time of 8 hours at 100% repellency against all three species.  From:  Amer, A., & Mehlhorn, H. (2006). Repellency effect of forty-one essential oils against Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex mosquitoes. Parasitology research, 99(4), 478-490.
• Essential oils from Melaleuca leucadendron (cajeput), Litsea cubeba, and Litsea salicifolia  exhibited significant irritant and repellent properties against Ae. aegypti mosquitos.  From:  Noosidum, A., Prabaripai, A., Chareonviriyaphap, T., & Chandrapatya, A. (2008). Excito-repellency properties of essential oils from Melaleuca leucadendron L., Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Persoon, and Litsea salicifolia (Nees) on Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquitoes. Journal of Vector Ecology, 33(2), 305-312.
• Australian plants demonstrated varying degrees of insect (mosquito) repellency and included: eucalyptus, tea tree, cajuput, manuka, balm mint bush, fragonia, myrtle, cypress, and niaouli. From: Webb, C. E. (2014). Insect repellents derived from Australian plants and implications for public health messages. Insect repellents handbook, 213.
• The repellency of Austrailian plants of the Myrtaceae family is reviewed. From: Webb, C. E. (2014). Insect repellents derived from Australian plants and implications for public health messages. Insect repellents handbook, 213.

SKIN / WOUND

• Olbas oil, a blend of peppermint, eucalyptus, and cajuput oil, along with a small amount of juniper berry and wintergreen showed strong antimicrobial activity in vitro that may be effective against various skin or respiratory infections.  From:  Hamoud, R., Sporer, F., Reichling, J., & Wink, M. (2012). Antimicrobial activity of a traditionally used complex essential oil distillate (Olbas® Tropfen) in comparison to its individual essential oil ingredients. Phytomedicine, 19(11), 969-976.
• Cajeput and basil oils were combined to demonstrate topical antibacterial application.  From:  Jedlickova, Z., Mottl, O., & Serý, V. (1991). Antibacterial properties of the Vietnamese cajeput oil and ocimum oil in combination with antibacterial agents. Journal of hygiene, epidemiology, microbiology, and immunology, 36(3), 303-309.

SEDATIVE

• Cajeput and ylang ylang oil odors possessed sedative effect and patchouli oil odor was stimulating to human physiologies.  From:  Wang, C. N. (2012). Effect of Melaleuca leucadendron, Cananga odorata and Pogostemon cablin oil odors on human physiological responses. Wood Research, 3(2), 100.

ORAL HEALTH

• This article reviews plants used in oral health and includes pomegranate, German chamomile, green tea, Diospyros mespiliformis, Diospyros lycioides, Salvadora persica, honey and propolis from the manuka tree, rhubarb, raisins, essential oils (thyme, cajuput, manuka, and verbena), probiotics and mushrooms. From: Chinsembu, K. C. (2016). Plants and other natural products used in the management of oral infections and improvement of oral health. Acta Tropica, 154, 6-18.

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 9/18/19