Cajuput

See also: Melaleuca (genus)

Part Used: leaf, and bud

Qualities; pungent, a bit bitter, hot , dry; stimulating, restoring, relaxing

Constituents;

Volatile oil 1.3% (incl. terpinol, aldehydes, nerolidol, pinenes, cineol 14-27%, cajeputene)

Effects

In vitro, the drug has an antimicrobial and a rubefacient effect.

Tropism:lungs, uterus, stomach, intestines, nervous system

Ground:Phlegmatic & Melancholic krases; Dependent/Tai Yin Earth & Burdened/Shao Yin biotypes; all 3 constitutions for symptomatic use

Uses

Approved by Commission E:

• Rheumatism
• Neurogenic pain
• Temporary relief of muscular pain
• Tendency to infection
• Wounds and burns

Used for painful muscles and joints in rheumatic disorders, sciatica, lumbago, slipped disk, and low back pain. Cajuput is also used for muscular tension and pain following sports injuries such as sprains, bruising, and pulled muscles or ligaments.

1. RESTRAINS INFECTION, CLEARS PARASITES, RELIEVES PAIN AND BENEFITS THE SKIN

VIRAL, BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL INFECTIONS in the chronic or subacute phase; e.g. viral hepatitis, enteritis, dysentery, cholera, candidiasis, cystitis, monilia, chronic laryngitis, bronchitis, lung TB, skin infections

INTESTINAL PARASITES

PAINFUL BRUISES, contusions, sprains

CHILBLAINS

SCALY SKIN ERUPTIONS, acne, psoriasis

TOOTHACHE, earache

2. CAUSES SWEATING, RELEASES THE EXTERIOR AND SCATTERS WIND COLD; RELIEVES PAIN

external wind cold;onset of respiratory infections with aches and pains, chills, dislike of cold

head damp cold & lung wind cold with nasal & sinus congestion, coughing, wheezing

wind/damp obstruction;with acute neuralgias

3. STIMULATES AND WARMS THE LUNGS, OPENS THE CHEST, EXPELS PHLEGM AND RELIEVES WHEEZING

lung phlegm cold with coughing up white sputum, wheezing

lung Qi constraint; with constant coughing, chest tightness

ASTHMATIC BREATHING

4. CIRCULATES THE QI AND LOOSENS CONSTRAINT, RELAXES THE NERVE, FREES SPASMS AND RELIEVES PAIN

Qi constraintwith nerve excess with nervous unrest

uterus Qi constraint; with painful menstruation, PMS

uterus cold with stopped or delayed menses, cramps

SPASMODIC DYSMENORRHEA

5. WARMS AND INVIGORATES THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES, SETTLES THE STOMACH AND QUELLS VOMITING

Spleen Yang deficiency:with abdominal pain, flatus, spasms

CHOLERA of all types

stomach Qi reflux; with nausea, vomiting

Preparation & Dose

The only practical form of Cajeput is the essential oil or tincture distilled from the leaves and buds. Its used both internally and externally. External use is diversified; diluted in a fatty carrier oil, Cajeput essential oil may be massaged into the body with the same results. It is excellent for inhalations in congested head states; liniments are used for all painful conditions, especially neuralgic and rheumatic; and salves, washes for skinand surface ailments. A drop on a tooth or on absorbent cotton placed inside the ear will relieve pain.

Dose: essential oil,2-5 drops in a little warm water 3-4 times a day

NOTES -- HOLMES

Cajeput is cultivated in southern Florida for its fluffy flower clusters, which break out into various hues of cream, pin, carmine,yellow and purple. As remedy it is definitely suited for conditions where disharmonies combine to produce more complex situations. Essentially a warm circulatory stimulant it is "indicated in all collapsed and depressed states of disease where there is no inflammation, such as we find in advanced stage of adynamic fevers and malignant diseases" (ELLINGWOOD, 1898). Moreover, Cajeput has a keen relaxant and antispasmodic edge; hence ideal in deficiency cold conditions with spasms and pain attended with nervous constraint,i.e. emotional or mental tension, no matter whether affecting the reproductive, digestive or rhythmic area (all three Warmers, in fact). Cajeput will combine well with Pasque flower, Sage, Tansy or Blue Cohosh, for example, in this type of condition where there is often little clarity about whether it is the cold, the constraint or the deficiency which is responsible for the spasms and pain.

Like its relative Melaleuca alternifolia or Tea tree, Cajeput is a powerful antiseptic, and enhancement when chronic infection is part of the picture of disharmony.