by Janette Peel

Created on: February 08, 2009

Cajeput is growing in popularity due to its wide-range of healing actions, which can be used to treat everything from fatigue to head lice.

Cajeput oil is steam-distilled from the leaves, twigs and bark of an evergreen tropical tree native to Australia and Indonesia. The tree is closely related to tea tree and eucalyptus, and the oil's properties are also similar. Cajeput is known as white tea tree' due to its striking white bark.

Cajuput's vapors are decongestant and expectorant, making it a useful antiseptic for respiratory ailments such as laryngitis. Its refreshing action also clears headaches and fatigue and apathy associated with flu.

Cajeput is an effective treatment for urinary or digestive infections, especially those that are recurring. Blended with rosemary or marjoram oil, it makes a warming muscular rub to ease muscular stiffness and rheumatic aches. It is also an effect natural remedy against head lice or for ridding your home of pet flea infestations.

Cajeput oil is composed of chemical families that all have uplifting and stimulating properties.

Oxides
A potent oxide in cajeput oil is present in concentrations of 15 to 65 per cent. Also found in eucalyptus and rosemary oil, it has a camphorous aroma and is an expectorant and is decongestant.

Monoterpenes
Making up about a quarter of cajeput oil, the main compound is pinene. This contributes to the oil's antiseptic and uplifting properties.

Alcohols
The alcohols terpineol, eucalyptol, and nerolidol are present in cajeput oil. These are warming, stimulate the immune system and are generally good tonics and balancers.

Cajeput is a miraculous healer that you can use in your own aromatherapy blends to cure a vast range of common ailments and problems.

Remove unwanted pests

Tackle infestations of parasites without being forced to resort to harmful and poisonous synthetic pesticides.

To ensure your cat or dog remains free from fleas, add 1-2 drops of cajeput oil to your pet's brush and use weekly to brush their fur.

Wash down woodwork and floors with a liter of warm water containing 5 drops of cajeput oil and 6 drops of lemongrass oil. Add the same amount of these oils to a cotton wool ball in your vacuum cleaner to zap fleas and eggs around the home, which could reinfect your pet.

At the first sign of head lice, wash and condition hair, then work a fine metal comb through the wet hair. Rinse in 1 liter of water containing 2 drops of cajeput oil, 5 drops of tea tree oil and 4 drops of lemon oil.

Ease stiffness with

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