Essential Oils & Aromatherapy · Essential oil
Cajeput Oil
Melaleuca cajuputi and Melaleuca leucadendra · also called Cajuput, cajaput, white samet, weeping paperbark oil
Cajeput oil is a fresh, camphor-like essential oil steam-distilled from the leaves of two tea tree relatives. In Indonesia and south-east Asia it is a household remedy for colds, stomach aches and insect bites. We found no controlled trial in people for any of these uses, only lab work, so every use is rated insufficient or very low. The main cautions: never swallow it, and keep it away from the faces of babies and young children and from pets, especially cats.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Cajeput Oil
Cajeput oil is a cineole-rich leaf oil from two tea tree relatives, used for generations in south-east Asian households for colds, stomach aches and insect bites. Those uses rest on tradition: we found no controlled trial in people. The research is lab work on mosquitoes, germs and cells. The best-supported lab finding is that it repels mosquitoes in cage tests, and we rate that very low. Safety comes first: do not swallow it, keep it away from the faces of babies and young children and from pets, and ask a doctor in pregnancy or if anyone has had seizures.
What people use it for, and how strong the evidence is
For colds, cough, stomach aches and insect bites, no controlled human trial of cajeput oil was found. The only human-exposure work is a mosquito skin screen and a 2002 test in which four people breathed the odour for an hour without reaction.
In the lab, cajeput oil was among the best of 41 oils at keeping mosquitoes off human skin, with up to 8 hours' protection when well formulated. That is a cage test with no number of volunteers or recipe given. Its aerosol killed far fewer mosquitoes than a standard insecticide.
In dishes it slowed some fungus, bacteria, mites and herpes virus, and a Cuban M. leucadendra oil hit parasites and cancer cells but also normal cells. Dish results do not show effects on skin or in the body.
What cajeput oil is
Two trees give the oil: Melaleuca cajuputi and Melaleuca leucadendra, both accepted species in the myrtle family (GBIF). They are medium-sized evergreen trees of coastal plains with papery bark. EFSA says fresh leaves of both are commonly mixed before steam distillation. Papers also spell the second one 'M. leucadendron'.
It is a mixture. Five EFSA batches were on average 61.46% 1,8-cineole, 7.87% alpha-terpineol and 6.23% limonene. One M. cajuputi sample was 64.63% cineole, and a Cuban M. leucadendra leaf oil had 43.0% cineole and 24.2% viridiflorol. Bottles can differ.
It is a relative of tea tree (M. alternifolia, mostly terpinen-4-ol) and niaouli, but results do not carry over between them.
The research in one view
No controlled human trial of cajeput oil was found. A mosquito skin screen and a small 2002 inhalation test are the only human work. Everything else is dish, cell, insect, animal or computer work.
No dose, strength or way to use the oil is given on this page, and none is known to be safe.
How it is regulated
EFSA's 2024 opinion on cajuput oil is about use in animal feed, with a safe level for each species and a lowest level for cats. It is not a human medicine assessment. The EU statements on child safety are about eucalyptus oil. The US FDA says a product that claims to treat disease is a drug, while one meant only for scent or cleansing is a cosmetic.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- EFSA (2024) says cajuput oil has a long tradition of use, particularly in Indonesia, for colds, stomach aches and insect bites, and is a common household medicine in south-east Asia.
- It is also traded as a flavour in food and food supplements and used in soaps, household goods and cosmetics (EFSA).
- Cajuput candy is described as an Indonesian functional food made with the oil (2019 lab paper).
Studied for research
- Colds, cough and chest (traditional), insufficient
- Mosquito repellent and killer (lab and human-skin screen), very low
- Candida fungus in a dish, insufficient
- Bacteria and wound germs in a dish, insufficient
- Mouth biofilm (candy, lab), insufficient
- Demodex skin mites in a dish, insufficient
- Herpes virus in a dish, insufficient
- Parasites and cancer cells (M. leucadendra oil, dishes and mice), insufficient
- COVID-19 (computer prediction only), insufficient
Main compounds
- 1,8-Cineole, about 61% of the oil in EFSA's batches
- alpha-Terpineol, about 8%
- Limonene, about 6%
- Viridiflorol, high in some M. leucadendra oils
Common forms
- Essential oil (steam-distilled from the leaves)
- Diluted skin and chest blends and vapour rubs (contents vary by maker)
- Mixed products such as Olbas drops, and cajuput candy (research only in our sources)
Research links: EFSA opinion on cajuput oil (2024) · Poison Control: Essential oils · EMA: Eucalyptus oil (cineole-rich relative) · NCCIH: Tea tree oil · Pet Poison Helpline: Essential oils · FDA: Aromatherapy · Cajeput in mosquito skin tests (abstract) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Melaleuca cajuputi and Melaleuca leucadendra
- Naming authority
- Powell; (L.) L.
- Synonyms
- Name: Melaleuca leucadendron (spelling used in many papers); Status: Not matched by the GBIF name-match API on 2026-10-25 (matchType NONE); papers use it for the same tree as M. leucadendra; Name: Cajuput, cajaput (EFSA's spellings); Status: Spelling variants of the oil's name
- Common names
- Cajeput (English); Cajuput (English); Cajaput (English); White samet (English (EFSA, for M. cajuputi)); Weeping paperbark (English (EFSA, for M. leucadendra)); Minyak kayu putih (Indonesian/Malay (older site profile; not re-checked in a paper))
- Family or group
- Myrtaceae (myrtle family), per GBIF and EFSA.
- Classification
- Plantae > Myrtaceae > Melaleuca > Melaleuca cajuputi; Melaleuca leucadendra
- Native range
- EFSA: M. cajuputi subsp. cajuputi is native to most of south-east Asia and northern Australia (introduced to China, Sri Lanka and Taiwan); subsp. cumingiana is native to south-east Asia; subsp. platyphylla to New Guinea and Australia. M. leucadendra is native to New Guinea and Australia with limited introductions elsewhere.
- Habitat
- Medium-sized evergreen trees of coastal plains with papery bark and cream-coloured bottle-brush flowers (EFSA).
- What it looks like
- Part used: The oil is steam-distilled from leaves: EFSA's background says leaves and twigs, and its characterisation says fresh leaves of both species.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia); Note: A close relative whose oil is mostly terpinen-4-ol (37.66 to 44.28%), not cineole. Results do not carry over, but tea tree supplies the best safety information for the genus. Cajeput is sometimes substituted for it.; Name: Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia and M. viridiflora); Note: Another cineole-rich Melaleuca oil, with chemotypes that differ widely.; Name: Eucalyptus; Note: A different genus, also cineole-rich; the source of the child and seizure cautions read across to cajeput.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not assessed here.
Photographs
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia and south-east Asia (household medicine) | EFSA (2024) says the oil has a long tradition of use, particularly in Indonesia, for colds, stomach aches and insect bites, and is a common household medicine in south-east Asia. It has become an internationally traded commodity, used as a flavour in food and food supplements and in soaps, other household goods and cosmetics. | EFSA FEEDAP Panel, EFSA Journal 2024 |
| Indonesia: cajuput candy | A 2019 lab paper describes cajuput candy as an Indonesian functional food made with cajuput essential oil for oral health. | Septiana S, et al, F1000Research 2019 |
| Europe: Olbas drops | A German research group describes Olbas as a traditionally used complex essential oil whose main parts are peppermint, eucalyptus and cajuput oils. | Hamoud R, et al, Phytomedicine 2012 |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol) PubChem 2758 | monoterpene ether | Leaf oil 61.46% mean in five EFSA batches (58.71 to 63.40); 64.63% in one M. cajuputi sample; 43.0% and 61% in two Cuban M. leucadendra oils | The main compound and EFSA's marker. About 100 times less toxic to cultured cells than the other tested compounds, and the basis of the child and seizure cautions read across from eucalyptus. 8 39 25 20 29 27 | Laboratory |
| alpha-Terpineol PubChem 17100 | monoterpene alcohol | Leaf oil 7.87% mean in EFSA batches (6.53 to 9.28); 7.0% in a Cuban leaf oil | Second main compound. Predicted in a computer study to bind COVID-19 proteins (no cell test). 8 25 21 27 | Computational |
| Limonene PubChem 22311 | monoterpene hydrocarbon | Leaf oil 6.23% (d-limonene) mean in EFSA batches (5.72 to 6.68); 4.8% in a Cuban leaf oil | Third main compound in the EFSA batches. 8 25 27 | Laboratory |
| Viridiflorol | sesquiterpene alcohol | Leaf and fruit oil 24.2% in a Cuban M. leucadendra leaf oil; 47.6% in its fruit oil | High in some M. leucadendra oils from Cuba; it is not one of the three EFSA marker compounds. Shows that oils differ a lot by tree and place. 25 | Laboratory |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetylcholinesterase and octopamine system (insects) | In mosquitoes, cajeput terpenes raised acetylcholine, blocked acetylcholinesterase and disrupted nerve firing, working on resistant and susceptible strains. 16 | Laboratory research | |
| Fungal drug-efflux pump MDR1 | MDR1 | Very low amounts of Thai cajuput oil lowered MDR1 expression in fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans isolates (P < 0.05). 17 | Laboratory research |
| Bacterial membrane integrity | M. leucadendra oil raised membrane leakiness in bacteria on flow cytometry and electron microscopy. 5 | Laboratory research | |
| Herpes virus entry | The mixed product Olbas worked on herpes virus before it entered cells, not after; cajuput alone showed a time-dependent effect. 14 | Laboratory research | |
| ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 main protease (computer docking) | ACE2 | Ten of 24 oil compounds were predicted to bind both proteins. Computer prediction only. 21 | Computational |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- EFSA says that for the main compound 1,8-cineole, lab animals and human data indicate it is absorbed, broken down by oxidation and excreted, and not expected to build up in tissues. This is EFSA's summary of an earlier opinion, not a cajeput study.
- Distribution
- Not established.
- Metabolism
- Constituents are expected to be extensively metabolised. Cats clear many of these compounds more slowly because of low glucuronidation (EFSA).
- Elimination
- Not established for cajeput oil in people.
- Bioavailability
- Not established.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Cajeput oil is a mixture, and its makeup varies with the tree species, place and distillation. In cell tests the whole oil was about 17 times more toxic than 1,8-cineole alone (highest non-toxic level 0.006% against 0.1%), and in a Leishmania study 1,8-cineole was not the main cause of the effect. Findings for one bottle or species do not carry to another.
Nutritional composition
Cajeput oil is not a nutrient and is not something to swallow.
1 very low certainty12 not enough evidence
What is Cajeput Oil good for?
The uses people ask about and how strong the evidence is for each. Read the certainty label first: nothing here is better than very low. There is no controlled human trial of cajeput oil for any health use.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Colds, cough and chest (traditional household use)
Not enough evidenceIn Indonesia and south-east Asia, cajeput oil is a long-standing household medicine for colds. We found no trial in people. It is rich in 1,8-cineole, like eucalyptus oil, which the EU accepts for coughs only on traditional use.
3 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No clinical trial of cajeput oil for colds or cough was found in PubMed. The only human-exposure study found is a 2002 challenge study in which four people breathed cajeput oil odour for one hour without reaction.
Results
No result for benefit. The EU herbal committee accepts eucalyptus oil, another cineole-rich oil, for coughs with colds on the basis of long-standing use alone; that does not carry over to cajeput.
Effect sizes as reported
Not available.
Why this rating
Tradition and a related oil are not evidence that cajeput oil works for colds.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Adults and children in south-east Asia (tradition).
Limits
No trial. Tradition does not show the oil works, or that it is safe for babies and children.
Why researchers looked
It is a common home remedy, so people ask whether it works for colds and blocked noses.
Traditional use
EFSA's 2024 opinion says the oil has a long tradition of use, particularly in Indonesia, for colds, stomach aches and insect bites, and is a common household medicine in south-east Asia.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not tested for this use. 1,8-cineole is the main compound (about 61% in the EFSA batches).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Cineole-rich oils can cause serious poisoning if swallowed and have been linked to seizures in children. Do not put these oils on babies' faces or noses. Do not swallow essential oil and keep it away from children and pets (see Safety).
Mosquito repellent and mosquito killer
Very low certaintyIn lab tests, cajeput oil kept mosquitoes off human skin for up to 8 hours when well formulated, and it killed some mosquitoes in an aerosol test. Most results are from insects in cages and dishes, not people outdoors.
5 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One 2006 lab screening used the skin of human volunteers to test 41 plant oils and 11 mixtures against three mosquito species. A 2012 Malaysian field-cage test sprayed 5% and 10% oil aerosols on caged dengue mosquitoes. Two other papers (2023, 2024) are lab and larvae studies.
Results
Human-skin screen (Amer and Mehlhorn 2006): cajeput was one of the five best oils, giving up to 8 hours of protection and 100% repellency against all three species, but only with a special formulation. Aerosol test (Abu Bakar 2012): the 10% oil spray gave Ae. aegypti death of 48.05 and knockdown of 23.60, far less than the standard insecticide spray. Larvae and enzyme studies (2023, 2024): the oil killed Anopheles larvae and acted on the mosquito nerve system, and did not harm earthworms in the authors' check.
Effect sizes as reported
Up to 8 hours' protection on skin (lab screen, best case); 48% death with a 10% aerosol (lab).
Why this rating
Several consistent lab results, but the human-skin test gives no numbers of volunteers or the formulation, and cage tests do not show what happens outdoors. No test shows the oil protects people from mosquito-borne disease. The oil spray was much weaker than the standard spray.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Human volunteers' skin in a laboratory screen; caged mosquitoes; larvae.
Limits
No outdoor trial and no test against disease. 'Needs a peculiar formulation' (the authors) means plain oil may not last. The formulation is not described, and no safe-use advice follows from it.
Why researchers looked
Plant oils are tested as a natural alternative to synthetic insect repellents.
Traditional use
EFSA lists insect bites among the traditional household uses in south-east Asia.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
In mosquitoes, the authors report the terpenes raise acetylcholine levels and block acetylcholinesterase (an enzyme), and may act on the octopamine system. These are insect findings.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Cajeput oil is an irritant to skin and eyes and a skin and airway sensitiser (EFSA). Do not use undiluted oil on skin. Do not use it on babies. Pets, especially cats, are at risk (see Safety).
Fungus (Candida) in a dish
Not enough evidenceIn a dish, a Thai cajuput oil stopped and killed drug-resistant Candida yeast, and was stronger together with the antifungal fluconazole. This was tested on yeast, not on people.
4 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human test. 14 resistant Candida albicans isolates were tested in a Thai laboratory (2020); a Chinese team tested M. leucadendra oil with antifungal medicines (2019). A Cuban study found no effect of M. leucadendra oil on Candida parapsilosis.
Results
MIC 0.31 to 1.25 microlitres per mL and MFC 0.63 to 1.25 (Thai cajuput oil). The oil plus fluconazole needed lower amounts of each. In a combination mouth rinse prototype, cajeput alone was the weakest of the groups against Candida albicans.
Effect sizes as reported
MIC 0.31 to 1.25 microlitres per mL (14 strains)
Why this rating
Dish tests only. Results differ between species of the tree, labs and test methods, and one paper found no effect on another Candida species.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Laboratory yeast strains.
Limits
A dish does not model skin, nails, mouth or vagina. No safe or effective use in people follows.
Why researchers looked
Resistant yeast infections are hard to treat, so researchers screen plant oils.
Traditional use
Not applicable.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
The authors found that very low amounts of oil lowered one yeast drug-pump gene (MDR1) in resistant strains. Another team saw membrane damage in Candida with M. leucadendra oil.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not swallow it or put it in the mouth or vagina. Do not swallow essential oil and keep it away from children and pets (see Safety).
Bacteria and wound germs in a dish
Not enough evidenceCajeput oil slowed some bacteria in dishes, but it was often weaker than other oils tested. These tests do not show it helps wounds or infections in people.
6 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human test. Dish studies of M. leucadendra and cajeput oil on bacteria (2020), on mouth germs (2023), on 43 wound strains (2025) and in the mixed product Olbas (2012).
Results
Cajeput oil was the weakest of the groups against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans in a mouthwash prototype study, but the combination with cinnamon oil was comparable to 0.2% chlorhexidine (dish). In a wound-germ study cajeput is not named among the strongest oils. The Olbas mixture (which contains cajuput) was active against all 17 strains, including MRSA. A Cuban study found no effect of M. leucadendra oil on S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli or Pseudomonas.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
Dish results that differ by test and species, with several null results. Nothing was tested on a wound or in a person.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Laboratory bacteria.
Limits
Dish killing does not show the oil is safe on a wound. Cajeput oil is an irritant (EFSA).
Why researchers looked
Resistant bacteria and chronic wounds lead to screening of plant oils.
Traditional use
Not applicable.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
The authors of one M. leucadendra study say the oil makes bacterial membranes leakier (flow cytometry and electron microscopy).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not put essential oils on wounds or damaged skin (Poison Control).
Mouth biofilm and early childhood cavities (cajuput candy, lab)
Not enough evidenceAn Indonesian candy made with cajuput oil weakened a mixed yeast and bacteria film in a dish. Nobody ate the candy in the study, and it is not a test of cavities.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human test. One 2019 lab study of candy made from cajuput oils from different places.
Results
Every candy formula lowered biofilm mass and living cells in the dish; the candy from one source (Mojokerto) did best (p < 0.05).
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
A dish study of a candy with no tooth or child outcome.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Laboratory biofilm.
Limits
Does not test cavities, and young children can be harmed by swallowing the oil.
Why researchers looked
Cajuput candy is an Indonesian functional food, and the authors link the yeast and Streptococcus mutans film to early childhood tooth decay.
Traditional use
The authors describe cajuput candy as an Indonesian functional food made with the oil.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
The authors report changed yeast form and lower production of sticky sugar film by S. mutans in the dish.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Cajeput oil is not safe for young children to swallow (see Safety).
Skin mites (Demodex) in a dish
Not enough evidenceIn a dish, cajeput oil killed Demodex mites from rosacea patients, but slower than several other oils.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human treatment. Mites collected from skin scrapings were exposed to oils in a dish (2023).
Results
Cajeput oil ranked near the bottom of ten Thai oils in killing speed, above ivermectin 1% and metronidazole 0.75%. Lemongrass, sweet basil, clove and tea tree were faster.
Effect sizes as reported
Not available from the abstract.
Why this rating
Ten mites per agent, a dish, and no patient treated.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Mites from people with demodicosis or rosacea, in a dish.
Limits
Killing mites on a slide says nothing about safe or useful treatment of the face.
Why researchers looked
Demodex mites are linked to rosacea, so researchers look for new mite killers.
Traditional use
Not applicable.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not studied.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not put essential oils on the face of babies or on damaged skin.
Stomach aches and insect bites (traditional household use)
Not enough evidenceEFSA says cajeput oil has long been used in Indonesia and south-east Asia for stomach aches and insect bites. No trial supports either use, and swallowing the oil is dangerous.
3 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No trial of cajeput oil for stomach aches or insect bites was found.
Results
No result.
Effect sizes as reported
Not available.
Why this rating
Tradition only.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Traditional users in south-east Asia.
Limits
No evidence that it helps or that it is safe for children.
Why researchers looked
Home use in south-east Asia.
Traditional use
EFSA's 2024 opinion lists colds, stomach aches and insect bites as traditional uses.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not tested.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not swallow it (Poison Control, NCCIH on tea tree oil). Do not swallow essential oil and keep it away from children and pets (see Safety).
Herpes simplex virus (type 1) in a dish
Not enough evidenceIn monkey cells in a dish, cajuput oil cut herpes virus plaques, but its safety margin was low. Nobody tested it on cold sores.
2 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human test. German lab study of cajuput oil and the mixed product Olbas on HSV-1 (2013).
Results
Cajuput oil: IC50 7.5 micrograms per mL; plaques down 66% at levels that did not harm the cells. Olbas did better (IC50 1.8; 99%). Cajuput's selectivity index was low, which means the effective and harmful levels are closer.
Effect sizes as reported
66% fewer plaques at non-toxic levels (dish)
Why this rating
Cells in a dish; low selectivity; no cold-sore trial.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Monkey kidney cells.
Limits
The authors' suggestion that Olbas might suit herpes sores is not a finding. Cajeput oil on lips and face may irritate.
Why researchers looked
Researchers look for natural anti-herpes agents because the virus can resist drugs.
Traditional use
Not applicable.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
The virus was affected before it entered cells, not after (the authors' time-of-addition tests for the mixed product Olbas).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Cajeput oil is a skin and eye irritant (EFSA).
Leishmania and Trypanosoma parasites, cancer cells and mouse skin lesions (M. leucadendra oil)
Not enough evidenceA Cuban M. leucadendra oil stopped some tropical parasites and cancer cells in dishes, and reduced skin lesions in mice with leishmaniasis. It was also toxic to normal cells. This is not a treatment.
2 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human test. One 2020 study with dishes and BALB/c mice.
Results
IC50 below 10 micrograms per mL for Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma brucei. Cancer cells IC50 55 to 98; normal cells 94 to 144. No effect on seven bacteria and fungi tested or on Trypanosoma cruzi. In mice with skin leishmaniasis, lesion size and parasite load were lower than untreated mice (p < 0.05) and similar to Glucantime.
Effect sizes as reported
IC50 under 10 micrograms per mL (parasites); mice: lesion size and parasite load lower than untreated
Why this rating
One lab, dishes and mice. Normal cells were hurt at levels close to those that hurt cancer cells.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Parasites, cell lines and mice.
Limits
Not a treatment. Killing cells in a dish may hurt healthy cells too.
Why researchers looked
Researchers screen oils against neglected tropical parasites and for cancer cell toxicity.
Traditional use
Not applicable.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
1,8-cineole alone was not the main cause of the parasite effect, the authors say.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not use essential oil on skin lesions or sores (Poison Control).
Antioxidant tests (test tube)
Not enough evidenceBoth leaf and fruit oil of M. leucadendra scored as antioxidants in test-tube assays. That does not show an effect in the body.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human test. Cuban oil study, 2010.
Results
Significant antioxidant activity in the three assays for both oils.
Effect sizes as reported
Not available from the abstract.
Why this rating
Test-tube chemistry.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Not applicable.
Limits
Not evidence of benefit in people.
Why researchers looked
Antioxidant tests are a common first screen for plant oils.
Traditional use
Not applicable.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Radical-scavenging in three test-tube assays (DPPH, TBARS, ABTS).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None for lab work.
Sun protection and melanoma cells (lab nanoemulsion)
Not enough evidenceA lab formula of M. leucadendron oil absorbed UV light in a machine and was more toxic to melanoma cells than to normal cells in a dish. This does not show a sunscreen or a cancer treatment.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human test. 2024 lab study.
Results
The nanoemulsion absorbed more UV than the free oil in a spectrophotometer, and both forms were more toxic to melanoma cells than to non-tumour cells.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
Machine and cell results, no skin test.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Cell lines.
Limits
A UV reading is not sunburn protection. Some essential oils make skin more sun-sensitive; no cajeput data on this were found.
Why researchers looked
Researchers look for natural sun-protective ingredients.
Traditional use
Not applicable.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Antioxidant ABTS IC50 40.72 micrograms per mL for oil and 5.30 for the nanoemulsion.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not rely on essential oil for sun protection.
Mouth ulcers in rats (extract gel)
Not enough evidenceA gel with 0.7% M. leucadendron extract lowered inflammation markers in rats with tongue ulcers. It is an extract gel, not the essential oil, and was tested only in rats.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human test. 2026 rat study.
Results
IL-1 beta and IL-6 were lower than in controls (P < 0.05); TNF-alpha also fell.
Effect sizes as reported
ROC-AUC 0.95 (IL-1 beta) and 0.889 (IL-6)
Why this rating
28 rats and a marker outcome, not healing, using an extract not the oil.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Male Wistar rats.
Limits
Do not swallow essential oil or put it in the mouth.
Why researchers looked
Mouth ulcers in older people with dentures persist, so researchers look at anti-inflammatory plant gels.
Traditional use
Not applicable.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Lower IL-1 beta and IL-6 in ulcer tissue; the authors suggest an effect on the NF-kB pathway (not tested directly in the abstract).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Cajeput oil in the mouth is not safe (see Safety).
COVID-19 (computer prediction only)
Not enough evidenceA Vietnamese computer study predicted that compounds in cajeput oil could bind to proteins involved in COVID-19. A computer prediction is not evidence the oil prevents or treats any infection.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human, animal or cell test. 2020 docking study.
Results
Ten of 24 oil compounds were predicted to bind strongly. The authors call the oil a valuable resource for preventing the virus from entering the body.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
A computer model with no test in cells, animals or people.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Not applicable.
Limits
The authors' wording goes beyond what docking can show.
Why researchers looked
Computer screening of natural compounds during the pandemic.
Traditional use
Not applicable.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Predicted binding to human ACE2 and the virus main protease (computer docking).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not use essential oils to try to prevent or treat COVID-19.
Connections to the rest of health
How Cajeput Oil connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immune Support | Traditional use | Not enough evidence | Colds, cough and chest (traditional household use): In Indonesia and south-east Asia, cajeput oil is a long-standing household medicine for colds. We found no trial in people. It is rich in 1,8-cineole, like eucalyptus oil, which the EU accepts for coughs only on traditional use. | 8 9 33 |
| Healthy Skin | Not enough evidence | Skin mites (Demodex) in a dish: In a dish, cajeput oil killed Demodex mites from rosacea patients, but slower than several other oils. Sun protection and melanoma cells (lab nanoemulsion): A lab formula of M. leucadendron oil absorbed UV light in a machine and was more toxic to melanoma cells than to normal cells in a dish. This does not show a sunscreen or a cancer treatment. | 23 32 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Colds, cough and chest (traditional household use) | 8 9 33 |
| Integumentary System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Mosquito repellent and mosquito killer Studied for: Skin mites (Demodex) in a dish | 2 1 16 38 8 23 32 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Fungus (Candida) in a dish Studied for: Bacteria and wound germs in a dish | 17 40 31 20 5 19 13 26 14 8 21 |
| Digestive System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Mouth biofilm and early childhood cavities (cajuput candy, lab) Studied for: Stomach aches and insect bites (traditional household use) | 30 8 26 22 34 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contact dermatitis | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | EFSA labels cajuput oil a skin sensitiser; no patch-test study was found. Preparation or compound: Cajeput oil on the skin |
8 26 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mosquito protection time on skin | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: up to 8 hours with a special formulation (lab best case). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 2 |
| Candida growth-stopping and killing levels (MIC and MFC) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: growth stopped and yeast killed in a dish. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 17 |
| Herpes virus plaque formation (cell dish) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: lowered in a dish. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 14 |
| Highest non-harmful level for cultured cells | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: cajuput oil about 17 times more toxic to cells than 1,8-cineole alone. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 29 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol) | Biological association | Laboratory | The main compound and EFSA's marker. About 100 times less toxic to cultured cells than the other tested compounds, and the basis of the child and seizure cautions read across from eucalyptus. Preparation or compound: Leaf oil |
8 39 25 20 29 27 |
| alpha-Terpineol | Biological association | Computational | Second main compound. Predicted in a computer study to bind COVID-19 proteins (no cell test). Preparation or compound: Leaf oil |
8 25 21 27 |
| Limonene | Biological association | Laboratory | Third main compound in the EFSA batches. Preparation or compound: Leaf oil |
8 25 27 |
| Viridiflorol | Biological association | Laboratory | High in some M. leucadendra oils from Cuba; it is not one of the three EFSA marker compounds. Shows that oils differ a lot by tree and place. Preparation or compound: Leaf and fruit oil |
25 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
The evidence
The research centre for Cajeput Oil. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read the abstracts of 32 PubMed papers, read the full EFSA opinion on cajuput oil, read the Poison Control, NCCIH, EMA, Pet Poison Helpline and FDA pages, checked both tree names in GBIF and three compounds in PubChem.
Study library: every study we checked 40
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Bakar 2012 Evaluation of Melaleuca cajuputi (Family: Myrtaceae) Essential Oil in Aerosol Spray Cans against Dengue Vectors in Low Cost Housing Flats. J Arthropod Borne Dis · PMID 23293776 |
Laboratory and field cage spray test Melaleuca cajuputi |
Caged Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes in low-cost housing flats, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | M. cajuputi essential oil in an aerosol spray Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
5% and 10% oil aerosols were sprayed for 5 seconds on mosquitoes hung in cages. The standard insecticide aerosol (prallethrin and d-phenothrin) gave high knockdown and death; the oil sprays gave far less. With the 5% oil, Ae. aegypti death was 22.90 +/- 4.22 and knockdown 5.60 +/- 1.18; with the 10% oil, death was 48.05 +/- 0.37 and knockdown 23.60 +/- 1.68. Results for Ae. albopictus were similar (10%: death 44.20 +/- 2.10). The oil sprays differed significantly from the standard. 10% oil aerosol: Ae. aegypti death 48.05, knockdown 23.60, against a high result for the standard insecticide Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Knockdown and death of mosquitoes against a standard insecticide aerosol and a kerosene-gas negative control Limitations: Mosquitoes in cages sprayed with an aerosol, not people using an oil. The abstract does not give the unit of the results (percent is assumed) or the number of cages. The oil was much weaker than the standard spray. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Amer 2006 Repellency effect of forty-one essential oils against Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex mosquitoes. Parasitol Res · PMID 16642384 · DOI |
Laboratory screening with human volunteers Melaleuca leucadendron (cajeput oil) |
Human volunteers' skin tested against three mosquito species in the laboratory | 41 plant oils and 11 oil mixtures, including cajeput (Melaleuca leucadendron) Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
The five most effective oils were litsea, cajeput (Melaleuca leucadendron), niaouli, violet and catnip. They gave a protection time of 8 hours at most and 100% repellency against all three species. The authors add that this effect needs a particular formulation to fix the oils on the skin. Protection time up to 8 hours and 100% repellency for the top five oils (cajeput one of them) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Protection time and repellency against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus Limitations: The abstract does not give the number of volunteers, the strength or the formulation. Lab cage tests, not outdoor use. Cajeput is not separated from the other four top oils. Not repeated in the work we read. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Avonto 2016 In Chemico Evaluation of Tea Tree Essential Oils as Skin Sensitizers: Impact of the Chemical Composition on Aging and Generation of Reactive Species. Chem Res Toxicol · PMID 27286037 · DOI |
Laboratory chemistry study Chemistry (no animal or human) |
10 Laboratory (no people): 10 'tea tree' oils and 6 main compounds |
Authentic and non-authentic tea tree oils Leaf (oil) Not reported here |
The authors note that substitution or adulteration of tea tree oil with other tea tree species such as cajeput, niaouli, manuka or kanuka oils is common. Authentic tea tree oils became more reactive as they aged; most non-authentic oils were less reactive. They say reports of allergy to the other tea tree oils are less frequent. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Skin-sensitising potential by a chemical method, effect of ageing Limitations: The abstract does not say which oils were cajeput or give results for it. The test is chemical, not a patch test on people. 'Less frequent' reports do not mean no risk. Funding and conflicts: US government research support, per the PubMed record. Read: abstract |
| Bahr 2019 The Effects of Various Essential Oils on Epilepsy and Acute Seizure: A Systematic Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med · PMID 31239862 · DOI |
Systematic review Human, animal and laboratory |
Human case studies, animal models and laboratory studies of essential oils and seizures | Many essential oils Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
Internal use of oils such as sage, hyssop, rosemary, camphor, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, cedar, thuja and fennel can cause epileptic seizures, because they contain thujone, 1,8-cineole, camphor or pinocamphone, which have been identified as convulsive agents. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Convulsant and anticonvulsant effects Limitations: Cajeput is not named in the abstract. The review links 1,8-cineole to seizure risk, and cajeput oil is rich in 1,8-cineole, but that is our inference, not a finding about cajeput. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Bautista-Silva 2020 Melaleuca leucadendra Essential Oil Promotes Loss of Cell Membrane and Wall Integrity and Inhibits Bacterial Growth: An In Silico and In Vitro Approach. Curr Microbiol · PMID 32444906 · DOI |
Laboratory study with computer modelling Bacteria (species in the paper) |
Bacteria in the laboratory | M. leucadendra essential oil Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
The oil showed antibacterial action in the dish. Flow cytometry and electron microscopy support the authors' idea that it raises the leakiness of the bacterial membrane. The computer analysis looked at the oil's main compounds. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Antibacterial action and the way it might work Limitations: Dish and computer work with no figures in the abstract. Not a test on skin or wounds. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Burkhard 1999 Plant-induced seizures: reappearance of an old problem. J Neurol · PMID 10460442 · DOI |
Case reports and literature survey Human |
3 Three patients (two adults and one child) with seizures after taking essential oils for therapeutic reasons |
Several essential oils taken for therapy Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
A survey of the literature found essential oils of 11 plants to be powerful convulsants: eucalyptus, fennel, hyssop, pennyroyal, rosemary, sage, savin, tansy, thuja, turpentine and wormwood, because of reactive monoterpene ketones such as camphor, pinocamphone, thujone, cineole, pulegone, sabinylacetate and fenchone. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Seizures after absorbing essential oils Limitations: Cajeput is not on the list. Not being named is not proof of safety, and the list is of oils chosen in the literature the authors found. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Day 1997 Eucalyptus oil poisoning among young children: mechanisms of access and the potential for prevention. Aust N Z J Public Health · PMID 9270157 · DOI |
Epidemiology and parent survey Human children |
109 109 parents or guardians of children under five involved in a real or suspected eucalyptus oil swallowing in Victoria, Australia |
Eucalyptus oil products, mostly vaporiser solutions Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
Eucalyptus oil was a leading cause of poisoning admissions in children under five in Victoria. In 90 incidents the product was a vaporiser solution, and 74% of children reached it through a home vaporiser unit, most often placed at floor level. The authors point to child-resistant closures, keeping vaporisers out of reach and discouraging vaporiser use for respiratory infections in young children. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: How children got to the oil Limitations: About eucalyptus oil. Read across to cajeput on the grounds of similar content only. Funding and conflicts: Research support from a non-US government body, per the PubMed record. Read: abstract |
| EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) 2024 Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from fresh leaves of Melaleuca cajuputi Maton & Sm. ex R. Powell and Melaleuca leucadendra (L.) L. (cajuput oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA J · PMID 38601874 · DOI |
Regulatory scientific opinion (animal feed) Animals, with statements on human users |
Safety assessment for animal species, consumers, users and environment | Cajuput oil from fresh leaves of M. cajuputi and M. leucadendra (steam distilled) Leaf Not reported here |
Read in full through Europe PMC (open access). Fresh leaves of both trees are commonly mixed before steam distillation. Five batches by GC-MS: 1,8-cineole mean 61.46% (range 58.71 to 63.40), alpha-terpineol 7.87%, d-limonene 6.23%. The oil has a long tradition of use, particularly in Indonesia, for colds, stomach aches and insect bites, and is a common household medicine in south-east Asia. Safe levels were calculated for each animal species; cats need a wider safety margin because of their unusually low ability to clear compounds by glucuronidation. The panel says the oil should be considered an irritant to skin and eyes and a skin and respiratory sensitiser, based on a safety data sheet. A literature search by the applicant found 17 references on user safety, none of which reported user-safety issues. No data were given for impurities (heavy metals, pesticides and others), and no data supported the stated shelf-life of at least 12 months. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety of the oil as a flavouring feed additive; identity and composition Limitations: An animal-feed opinion, not a human medicine assessment. The skin and airway statement rests on a safety data sheet, not on patch tests. The applicant was a feed-flavour industry group. Funding and conflicts: Request came from a feed-flavourings industry consortium (FFAC EEIG); the opinion itself is by EFSA's panel. Read: full-text |
| EMA 2016 Eucalyptus oil: Summary for the public (EMA/HMPC/288003/2014) ema.europa.eu · Source |
Regulator monograph summary n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Read 2026-10-25 (first published and last updated 05/12/2016). On the basis of long-standing use, eucalyptus oil can be used for relief of cough with the common cold and for localised muscle pain. Eucalyptus oil medicines must not be given to children with a history of seizures, or to children under 30 months because of a risk of spasm of the voice box. Hot baths with eucalyptus oil must not be taken by patients with large skin injuries, open wounds, acute skin disease, high fever, severe infections, severe circulation problems or heart failure. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety, identity or regulatory statements Limitations: About eucalyptus oil, a different genus that is also rich in 1,8-cineole. It is a read-across for cajeput, not an EMA statement on cajeput. Read: full-text |
| Flaman 2001 Unintentional exposure of young children to camphor and eucalyptus oils. Paediatr Child Health · PMID 20084213 · DOI |
Poison centre chart review with literature search Human children |
251 251 children in Toronto who swallowed an essential oil or product, 1995 to 1997 |
Eucalyptus oil, camphorated oil and vapour rubs Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
Callers reported 251 children who had swallowed an essential oil or product: eucalyptus oil 50, camphorated oil 18, VapAir vaporising liquid 93, Vicks VapoRub 90. The commonest symptoms were cough and vomiting; two children had seizures but recovered. A literature search found 18 reports of such swallowing in children, with vomiting, lethargy, coma and seizures; one child died. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Frequency and symptoms of swallowing Limitations: Not about cajeput. Poison-centre calls do not give a rate of harm. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| GBIF match 2026 Melaleuca cajuputi Powell GBIF backbone · Source |
Taxonomy database Melaleuca cajuputi |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Read 2026-10-25: key 5415885, status ACCEPTED, rank SPECIES, family Myrtaceae, exact match. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety, identity or regulatory statements Limitations: Name check only. Read: full-text |
| GBIF match 2026 Melaleuca leucadendra (L.) L. GBIF backbone · Source |
Taxonomy database Melaleuca leucadendra |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Read 2026-10-25: key 5415976, status ACCEPTED, rank SPECIES, family Myrtaceae, exact match. A match for the spelling 'Melaleuca leucadendron', used in several papers, returned no match (matchType NONE) in the same API. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety, identity or regulatory statements Limitations: Name check only. Read: full-text |
| Hamoud 2012 Antimicrobial activity of a traditionally used complex essential oil distillate (Olbas(®) Tropfen) in comparison to its individual essential oil ingredients. Phytomedicine · PMID 22739414 · DOI |
Laboratory study Bacteria and fungi |
17 bacterial and fungal species or strains in the laboratory | Olbas Tropfen (a mixture of peppermint, eucalyptus, cajuput, juniper berry and wintergreen oils) compared with each single oil Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
Olbas (which is 2.1 g cajuput oil in 10 g) was active against all strains tested, including MRSA and VRE. Its activity was comparable to peppermint oil, the most potent single oil in the test. The main part of the mixture was 1,8-cineole, followed by menthol and menthone. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Lowest levels that stop growth or kill; time-kill tests Limitations: A mixture product, so it cannot be counted as a cajuput result. Cajuput's own result is not in the abstract. Dish work only. Funding and conflicts: Research support from a non-US government body, per the PubMed record. The product is a commercial one, so industry links are possible; the abstract does not say. Read: abstract |
| Heidary Navid 2013 Antiherpetic activity of the traditionally used complex essential oil Olbas. Pharmazie · PMID 24020128 |
Laboratory study Herpes simplex virus type 1 |
Herpes simplex virus type 1 on monkey kidney cells in a dish | Olbas (mixed oil) and cajuput oil alone Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
Cajuput oil lowered herpes virus plaque formation with a 50% inhibitory level of 7.5 micrograms per mL, and at levels that did not harm the cells it reduced plaques by 66% (Olbas: 99%). Cajuput oil's selectivity index (a measure of how far the antiviral level lies below the toxic level) was low compared with Olbas (150). The virus was affected before it entered cells, not after. IC50 7.5 micrograms per mL; 66% plaque reduction at non-toxic levels Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Plaque reduction, selectivity, time-of-addition Limitations: Monkey cells in a dish. No test on skin or in people. The authors' idea that Olbas 'might be suitable' for herpes sores is not a finding. Cajuput alone had a low selectivity index. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Jacobs 1994 Melaleuca oil poisoning. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol · PMID 8057407 · DOI |
Case report Human child |
1 A 23-month-old boy who swallowed under 10 mL of a 100% melaleuca (tea tree) oil product |
100% Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil product Leaf (oil) Not reported here |
Thirty minutes after swallowing less than 10 mL, the boy was confused and could not walk. He improved and had no symptoms within 5 hours and went home the next day. The authors say swallowing a modest amount of the concentrated oil may cause signs of toxicity. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Symptoms and recovery Limitations: A single case about tea tree oil, a different Melaleuca species. It is not a cajeput case and no cajeput case was found. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Johnson 2023 Bioinsecticidal activity of cajeput oil to pyrethroid-susceptible and -resistant mosquitoes. Pestic Biochem Physiol · PMID 37248001 · DOI |
Laboratory study (insects) Aedes aegypti (insect) |
Pyrethroid-susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant Aedes aegypti mosquitoes | Cajeput oil and its terpene components Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
The authors report that cajeput oil terpenes enhanced cAMP production, raised acetylcholine levels, blocked acetylcholinesterase (in the animal and in the test tube) and disrupted nerve firing in the mosquito's central nervous system. They say it works on both susceptible and resistant mosquitoes and point to the octopamine system as a possible target. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Insecticidal activity and effects on the mosquito nervous system Limitations: Mosquito and test-tube work only. The abstract gives no numbers. It says nothing about safety for people or pets. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Authors are from a US university entomology and toxicology group. Read: abstract |
| Keereedach 2020 Antifungal Activity of Thai Cajuput Oil and Its Effect on Efflux-Pump Gene Expression in Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans Clinical Isolates. Int J Microbiol · PMID 33488720 · DOI |
Laboratory study Candida albicans (fungus) |
14 14 fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans isolates from patients, grown in the laboratory |
Thai cajuput oil Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
Cajuput oil stopped growth (MIC 0.31 to 1.25 microlitres per mL) and killed the yeast (MFC 0.63 to 1.25 microlitres per mL). Combined with fluconazole, the amounts needed of each fell. Very low amounts of oil lowered the activity of one drug-pump gene (MDR1) in the resistant strains (P < 0.05). The authors suggest it could be used to develop combination treatments. MIC 0.31 to 1.25 microlitres per mL; MFC 0.63 to 1.25 microlitres per mL Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Antifungal activity, synergy with fluconazole, efflux-pump gene expression Limitations: Yeast grown in a dish. Nothing was tested on skin, mucous membranes or people, and a dish result does not show safe or effective use. The species of cajuput tree is not given in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Khan 2014 Concentrated tea tree oil toxicosis in dogs and cats: 443 cases (2002-2012). J Am Vet Med Assoc · PMID 24344857 · DOI |
Retrospective case series Dog and cat |
443 337 dogs and 106 cats exposed to 100% tea tree oil in the US and Canada, 2002 to 2012 |
100% tea tree oil, on the skin, by mouth or both Leaf (oil) Not reported here |
Signs developed within 2 to 12 hours and lasted up to 72 hours. Drooling, depression or lethargy, weakness, unsteadiness and tremors were the commonest. Younger and lighter cats were at greater risk of major illness. The authors say that intentional or accidental use of 100% tea tree oil caused serious signs. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Signs and severity Limitations: About tea tree oil. A read-across for pet safety; no cajeput case series was found. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Mihai 2025 Promising Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils and Probiotic Strains on Chronic Wound Bacteria. Biomedicines · PMID 40299660 · DOI |
Laboratory study Bacteria from wounds |
43 43 bacterial strains from chronic wounds, in the laboratory |
Five essential oils (sandalwood, ylang-ylang, sage, cajeput, juniper), propolis tinctures, usnic acid and probiotic bacteria Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
Gram-positive strains were more sensitive to the oils than Gram-negative strains. Sandalwood, ylang-ylang and propolis tincture were the strongest and also reduced biofilm. Cajeput is not named among the strongest in the abstract. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Lowest levels that stop growth and biofilm Limitations: Dish work. Cajeput's own result is not in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Monzote 2020 Essential Oil from Melaleuca leucadendra: Antimicrobial, Antikinetoplastid, Antiproliferative and Cytotoxic Assessment. Molecules · PMID 33255562 · DOI |
Laboratory and mouse study Leishmania, Trypanosoma, human and mouse cells, BALB/c mice |
Parasites, cancer cells and normal cells in the laboratory; BALB/c mice with skin leishmaniasis | M. leucadendra essential oil from Cuba (1,8-cineole 61%) Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
Forty-five compounds were found, with 1,8-cineole the main one (61%). The oil stopped growth of Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma brucei at IC50 below 10 micrograms per mL, but 1,8-cineole alone was not the main cause. It stopped cancer cells (IC50 55 to 98 micrograms per mL) but also non-cancer cells (94 to 144). It did not act on Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger, Candida parapsilosis, Microsporum canis or Trypanosoma cruzi. In mice with skin leishmaniasis, it controlled lesion size and parasite load compared with untreated animals (p < 0.05), similar to Glucantime. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Growth of Leishmania and Trypanosoma, cancer and normal cell growth, lesion size in mice Limitations: Dish and mouse work. The oil was toxic to normal cells at levels not much higher than those that affected cancer cells. The route and amount in mice are not in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| My 2020 Evaluation of the Inhibitory Activities of COVID-19 of Melaleuca cajuputi Oil Using Docking Simulation. ChemistrySelect · PMID 32572383 · DOI |
Computer modelling study Computer model |
Computer docking (no people, no cells) | M. cajuputi leaf oil from Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam (24 main compounds identified) Leaf Not reported here |
Ten of 24 compounds were predicted to bind strongly. The authors call the oil a valuable resource for preventing SARS-CoV-2 from entering the body. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Predicted binding of oil compounds to the human ACE2 protein and the SARS-CoV-2 main protease Limitations: A computer prediction only. It does not show that the oil blocks the virus in cells, animals or people, and the authors' wording goes beyond what a docking study can show. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| NCCIH (US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health) Tea Tree Oil nccih.nih.gov · Source |
Regulator/safety web page n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Read 2026-10-25. Tea tree oil (a close Melaleuca relative of cajeput) should not be swallowed: taking it by mouth can cause confusion, unsteadiness, inability to walk and coma. Most people can use skin products containing it without problems, but some develop redness or irritation, which may be more likely if the product is old or has been exposed to heat, light or air. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety, identity or regulatory statements Limitations: About tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), not cajeput. Used here only as the safety page for the genus. Read: full-text |
| Paichitrojjana 2023 Comparison of in vitro Killing Effect of Thai Herbal Essential Oils, Tea Tree Oil, and Metronidazole 0.75% versus Ivermectin 1% on Demodex folliculorum. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol · PMID 37228784 · DOI |
Laboratory study Demodex folliculorum (mite) |
Demodex folliculorum mites collected from skin samples of people with demodicosis or rosacea, tested in a dish | Ten Thai herbal essential oils including cajeput oil, plus tea tree oil, metronidazole 0.75% and ivermectin 1% Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
Cajeput oil is near the bottom of the oil ranking, above ivermectin 1% and metronidazole 0.75%, and below lemongrass, sweet basil, clove and tea tree among the oils. The authors conclude that Thai herbal oils and tea tree oil killed mites faster than ivermectin 1% and metronidazole 0.75%, and say studies in people are needed. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Survival time of ten mites per test agent Limitations: Ten mites per agent and no patient treated. Dish killing time does not show that an oil is safe or works on the face. The abstract gives no times. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Pet Poison Helpline Essential Oils (pet safety tips) petpoisonhelpline.com · Source |
Veterinary poison helpline web page n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Read 2026-10-25. Essential oil poisoning can affect all species, but cats and birds are at the greatest risk. Common signs include drooling, vomiting, lethargy, poor appetite and irritation of the skin, airways and mouth. Its list of oils that can cause poisoning includes eucalyptus, tea tree and melaleuca. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety, identity or regulatory statements Limitations: Undated general page. It says 'melaleuca' without naming cajeput. Read: full-text |
| Pino 2010 Phytochemical analysis and in vitro free-radical-scavenging activities of the essential oils from leaf and fruit of Melaleuca leucadendra L. Chem Biodivers · PMID 20860029 · DOI |
Laboratory chemistry study Melaleuca leucadendra |
Laboratory (no people) | M. leucadendra leaf oil and fruit oil from Cuba Leaf and fruit Not reported here |
Leaf oil: 1,8-cineole 43.0%, viridiflorol 24.2%, alpha-terpineol 7.0%, alpha-pinene 5.3%, limonene 4.8%. Fruit oil: viridiflorol 47.6% as the main compound. Both oils showed significant antioxidant activity in three test-tube assays. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Composition by GC and GC-MS; antioxidant tests (DPPH, TBARS, ABTS) Limitations: Test-tube antioxidant tests do not show an effect in the body. One origin only. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Poison Control (US) Essential oils: Poisonous when misused poison.org article · Source |
Regulator/safety web page n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Read 2026-10-25. Many essential oils can cause rashes on the skin, and some can be poisonous if absorbed through the skin or swallowed. Choking on an oil so that some enters the lungs can cause pneumonia. Children have thin skin and immature livers, which may make them more vulnerable. Pure oils are potent; diluting them in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad reaction on the skin, and they should not be used on damaged skin. Stop using an oil at once if a rash appears and wash it off. Oils should be locked up out of sight and reach of children and pets. Essential oil products are not well regulated, so it can be hard to know the species, strength or contaminants in a bottle. It describes a 22-month-old boy who had a seizure of over an hour after eating a small piece of camphor. Poison centre: 1-800-222-1222 (US). Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety, identity or regulatory statements Limitations: General advice on a web page with no date; it does not name cajeput oil. Read: full-text |
| PubChem (NCBI) 2026 PubChem compound records: 1,8-cineole (CID 2758), alpha-terpineol (CID 17100), limonene (CID 22311) PubChem PUG REST · Source |
Chemistry database n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Read 2026-10-25. CID 2758 is 1,8-Cineole, C10H18O. CID 17100 is alpha-Terpineol, C10H18O. CID 22311 is limonene (listed as 1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexene), C10H16. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety, identity or regulatory statements Limitations: Identity check only. CID 22311 is the record without a stated handedness; the oil's d-limonene has its own record, which was not checked. Read: full-text |
| Sai Chandar 2021 Eucalyptus Oil-Induced Seizures in Children: A Single-Center Prospective Study. Cureus · PMID 33927923 · DOI |
Prospective observational study Human children |
17 17 children in a hospital in South India with a first or breakthrough seizure after eucalyptus oil |
Eucalyptus oil drops given by mouth in water or milk Leaf (oil) Not reported here |
All 17 children had generalised tonic-clonic seizures; the median time from oil to seizure was 20 minutes (10 to 120). All had taken the drops by mouth. Brain scans were normal; no child had a seizure again over 6 to 9 months of follow-up. The authors call eucalyptus-oil seizures an under-recognised cause that parents and doctors may not know about. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Seizure type, timing and follow-up Limitations: A small single-centre series about eucalyptus oil, not cajeput. A read-across for a cineole-rich oil. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Schnitzler 2008 Comparative study on the cytotoxicity of different Myrtaceae essential oils on cultured vero and RC-37 cells. Pharmazie · PMID 19069246 |
Laboratory study Cell lines (African green monkey kidney, rabbit cornea) |
Vero and RC-37 cells (animal kidney cell lines) in a dish | Cajuput, clove, kanuka and manuka oils; alpha-pinene, eugenol, leptospermone, 1,8-cineole Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
The highest non-toxic level was 0.006% for both cajuput and clove oil, and 0.001% for kanuka and manuka oil. Among compounds, 1,8-cineole was about 100 times less toxic to the cells (highest non-toxic level 0.1%, TC50 0.44%) than alpha-pinene, eugenol or leptospermone. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Highest level of each oil that did not harm cells (neutral red assay) Limitations: Animal cell lines in a dish. The result shows that whole cajuput oil is much more toxic to cells than its main compound, not that any amount is safe on skin. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Septiana 2019 Cajuputs candy impairs Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans mixed biofilm formation in vitro. F1000Res · PMID 32528653 · DOI |
Laboratory study Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans |
Mixed Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans biofilm in the laboratory | Cajuput candy made with M. cajuputi essential oil from different sources Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
All candy formulas reduced the biofilm mass and living cells and changed the shape of the yeast and bacteria. The candy made from oil from Mojokerto had the biggest effect (p < 0.05). The authors link the work to early childhood tooth decay. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Biofilm amount, living cells, gene activity Limitations: A candy (not plain oil) tested against germs in a dish. No child or adult ate the candy in this study. It is not a test of cavities. Funding and conflicts: Research support from a non-US government body, per the PubMed record. Read: abstract |
| Shah 2023 Antimicrobial Efficacy of Essential Oils and Their Combination Against Microorganisms Associated With Postradiation Therapy in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: An In Vitro Study. Cureus · PMID 37485104 · DOI |
Laboratory study Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans |
Bacteria and yeast in the laboratory; human gum cells for toxicity | Cajeput oil (Melaleuca leucadendron) and cinnamon bark oil, alone and combined as a mouthwash prototype Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
Cajeput oil showed the least effect of the groups against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. Cinnamon bark oil was strongest against the two bacteria (0.33 and 0.41 mg per mL). The combination of both oils was the most effective, and the authors call it comparable to 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Lowest levels that stop growth (MIC) or kill (MBC) three mouth germs; cell toxicity Limitations: Dish work. The mouthwash prototype's toxicity test used gum cells, but the abstract does not give the result. Cajeput alone was the weakest, so the good result belongs mainly to the combination and the cinnamon oil. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Sousa 2024 Nanoemulsified Essential Oil of Melaleuca leucadendron Leaves for Topical Application: In Vitro Photoprotective, Antioxidant and Anti-Melanoma Activities. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) · PMID 38931388 · DOI |
Laboratory study Cell lines |
Mouse fibroblasts, human melanocytes and two melanoma cell lines in a dish | M. leucadendron leaf essential oil, free and as a nanoemulsion Leaf Not reported here |
The nanoemulsion was better at absorbing UV than the free oil. Antioxidant IC50 in the ABTS test was 40.72 micrograms per mL for the oil and 5.30 for the nanoemulsion. Both oil forms were more toxic to melanoma cells than to non-tumour cells. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Sun-protection (spectrophotometer), antioxidant tests, cell toxicity Limitations: Cells in a dish and a lab formula. A UV reading in a spectrophotometer does not show sunburn protection on skin, and killing melanoma cells in a dish is not a treatment. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Stablein 2002 Melaleuca tree and respiratory disease. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol · PMID 12452213 · DOI |
Challenge study in volunteers Human |
1017 1,017 people skin-tested for Melaleuca pollen; 16 with positive tests chosen for challenge tests; 11 people for odour challenges (4 with cajeput oil) |
Melaleuca quinquenervia pollen extract; odour of blossoms, bark, leaves and cajeput oil Pollen, blossom, bark, leaf; cajeput oil from leaves Not reported here |
Four people inhaled the odour of cajeput oil for 1 hour in a closed system. All 38 odour challenges (blossoms, bark, leaves and cajeput oil) caused no reaction. The authors conclude that the Melaleuca tree is not a significant source of airborne allergen and that its odour is not a respiratory irritant. A few people with positive pollen skin tests did react to pollen extract on challenge. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Nose and lung reactions; spirometry before and after odour challenges Limitations: Only four people breathed the cajeput oil, for one hour each, in a closed system. This is a 2002 study, mostly about the tree's pollen. It does not cover long diffusing, babies, people with asthma or oil on skin. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Thalib 2026 Modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines by Melaleuca leucadendron (L.) gel in oral wound healing: An in vivo study. J Dent Sci · PMID 42689083 · DOI |
Animal study Rat |
28 28 male Wistar rats with tongue ulcers |
0.7% Melaleuca leucadendron extract gel (an extract, not the essential oil) Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
Twice-daily gel for seven days lowered IL-1 beta and IL-6 compared with control rats (P < 0.05; ROC-AUC 0.95 and 0.889). TNF-alpha also fell, with more limited discriminatory ability. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Pro-inflammatory markers (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha) in ulcer tissue over 7 days Limitations: Rats, 14 per group, a marker study rather than a healing study. The gel is an extract, not the essential oil, and the abstract does not say how the extract was made. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Tibballs 1995 Clinical effects and management of eucalyptus oil ingestion in infants and young children. Med J Aust · PMID 7651249 · DOI |
Retrospective case series Human children |
109 109 children admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, 1981 to 1992 (mean age 23.5 months) |
Swallowed eucalyptus oil (a cineole-rich oil) Leaf (oil) Not reported here |
Effects were seen in 59%. Thirty-one (28%) had lowered consciousness: 27 drowsy and three unconscious after known or estimated amounts of between 5 and 10 mL, and one unconscious with slow breathing after an estimated 75 mL. Vomiting occurred in 37%, unsteadiness in 15% and lung problems in 11%. All recovered. Mean hospital stay was 22 hours. The author concludes that swallowing eucalyptus oil caused significant illness in infants and young children. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Symptoms, estimated amounts swallowed, treatment, hospital stay Limitations: About eucalyptus oil, not cajeput. Amounts were often estimated by carers. It is used here as a read-across, since both oils are rich in 1,8-cineole. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| US Food and Drug Administration Aromatherapy fda.gov · Source |
Regulator web page n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Read 2026-10-25. How an aromatherapy product is regulated depends mainly on its intended use, judged from labelling, websites, advertising and how it is marketed. A product meant only to cleanse or make a person more attractive or smell good is a cosmetic, which does not need FDA approval before sale. A product intended to treat or prevent disease, or to affect the structure or function of the body, is a drug. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety, identity or regulatory statements Limitations: General statement on aromatherapy products; it does not name cajeput. Read: full-text |
| Villar 1994 Toxicity of melaleuca oil and related essential oils applied topically on dogs and cats. Vet Hum Toxicol · PMID 8197716 |
Review of veterinary poison centre cases Dog and cat |
Dogs and cats given melaleuca oil on the skin | Melaleuca (tea tree) oil on skin Leaf (oil) Not reported here |
Veterinarians reported cases to a national animal poison control centre when melaleuca oil was applied to dogs and cats, mostly at inappropriately high amounts for skin conditions. The typical signs were depression, weakness, incoordination and muscle tremors. With supportive care, animals recovered without lasting effects within two to three days. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Signs of poisoning and recovery Limitations: About melaleuca (tea tree) oil. No cajeput report was found. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Vivekanandhan 2024 Biocontrol efficacy of cajeput oil against Anopheles stephensi L. mosquito and its effect on non-target species. Front Physiol · PMID 38496298 · DOI |
Laboratory study (insects, earthworms) Anopheles stephensi (insect) |
Anopheles stephensi larvae; Eudrilus eugeniae earthworms as a non-target check | M. cajuputi essential oil Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
The oil killed second to fourth stage larvae of the malaria mosquito An. stephensi at 24 hours and lowered detoxifying enzymes. Earthworm tissue showed no toxicity in the authors' histology check. The authors call it a candidate for mosquito control. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Larval killing, enzyme changes, effects on earthworms Limitations: Larvae in water, not adult mosquitoes or people. The abstract gives no figures. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Vázquez 2023 HPTLC Analysis and Chemical Composition of Selected Melaleuca Essential Oils. Molecules · PMID 37175338 · DOI |
Laboratory chemistry study Melaleuca cajuputi and others |
11 Laboratory (no people): seven tea tree oils and four other Melaleuca oils |
Tea tree oils and other Melaleuca oils including one M. cajuputi oil Leaf (oil) Not reported here |
In the M. cajuputi oil the main compound was 1,8-cineole (64.63%). Tea tree oils were instead mostly terpinen-4-ol (37.66 to 44.28%). Two niaouli chemotypes differed greatly from each other (nerolidol and linalool in one, 1,8-cineole 52.20% in the other). HPTLC fingerprints told tea tree oil from the other Melaleuca oils, which the authors propose for quality control. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Composition by GC-MS and HPTLC fingerprinting Limitations: One cajuput sample. Gives composition, not safety or benefit. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Zhang 2019 The antifungal activity of essential oil from Melaleuca leucadendra (L.) L. grown in China and its synergistic effects with conventional antibiotics against Candida. Nat Prod Res · PMID 29537894 · DOI |
Laboratory study Candida species; mouse cells |
Candida in the laboratory; mouse immune cells (RAW264.7) for inflammation | M. leucadendra essential oil from Fujian, China Not stated in abstract Not reported here |
The oil was antifungal against Candida, worked together with front-line antifungal medicines, and damaged the yeast membrane on electron microscopy. It lowered nitric oxide in stimulated mouse immune cells, which the authors read as an anti-inflammatory effect. Its chemical makeup was almost the same as tea tree oil, the authors say. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Antifungal activity, synergy with antifungal medicines, nitric oxide in stimulated cells Limitations: Dish and cell work, no numbers in the abstract. The claim of 'almost the same components' as tea tree oil comes from the abstract only and conflicts with the cineole-rich picture in other papers, so it is not used here as a fact about the oil. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
What we do not know yet
- What the evidence supports: nothing above very low; there is no controlled human trial of cajeput oil for any health use.
- No cajeput-specific patch-test, poisoning, pregnancy, asthma or pet data; child, seizure and pet cautions are read across from eucalyptus and tea tree.
- No source on kayu putih oil in infant massage.
- The mosquito skin screen gives no number of volunteers or recipe, and there is no outdoor trial.
- Tisserand, IFRA, RIFM, LiverTox and LactMed not read.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it is added.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 4
Mosquito protection time on skin
Up to 8 hours with a special formulation (lab best case) in trials
How many hours a treated patch of skin stays free of mosquito bites in a laboratory cage test.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
The main outcome in repellent tests.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A lab cage measure, not a test against bites or disease outdoors.
Safety implication
A repellent result does not show the oil is safe on skin.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Cajeput was one of the five best of 41 oils and 11 mixtures, with up to 8 hours' protection and 100% repellency against all three mosquito species. | Human volunteers' skin in a lab cage test | Cajeput oil (Melaleuca leucadendron), formulation not described |
Candida growth-stopping and killing levels (MIC and MFC)
Growth stopped and yeast killed in a dish in trials
The lowest amount of oil that stops (MIC) or kills (MFC) yeast in a dish.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
The standard lab measure of antifungal strength.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A dish measure that does not tell you what happens on skin or in the body.
Safety implication
None.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | MIC 0.31 to 1.25 microlitres per mL and MFC 0.63 to 1.25 microlitres per mL across 14 fluconazole-resistant C. albicans isolates. | Laboratory isolates | Thai cajuput oil |
Herpes virus plaque formation (cell dish)
Lowered in a dish in trials
How many patches of dead cells (plaques) herpes virus makes on a layer of cells.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Standard lab measure of antiviral effect.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A dish measure, not cold-sore healing.
Safety implication
A low selectivity index means the effective and harmful levels are close.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Cajuput oil: IC50 7.5 micrograms per mL and 66% fewer plaques at non-toxic levels; its selectivity was low. | Monkey kidney cells | Cajuput oil |
Highest non-harmful level for cultured cells
Cajuput oil about 17 times more toxic to cells than 1,8-cineole alone in trials
The highest strength of oil at which cultured animal cells still looked healthy.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Cell toxicity is a first check before cosmetic or health-care use.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Shows the whole oil is harsher on cells than its main compound; this is a caution, not a benefit.
Safety implication
Supports keeping the oil away from eyes, damaged skin and mucous membranes.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Highest non-toxic level 0.006% for cajuput oil and clove oil; 0.1% for 1,8-cineole alone. | Vero and RC-37 animal cell lines | Cajuput oil and its compounds |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 7
- Do not swallow cajeput oil, and keep it away from children and pets.. Poison Control says some essential oils can be poisonous if swallowed, that choking an oil into the lungs can cause pneumonia, and that children's thin skin and immature livers may make them more vulnerable. We found no case report of cajeput oil poisoning in PubMed. Related oils show what can happen. A 23-month-old boy became confused and could not walk after swallowing less than 10 mL of a 100% tea tree (Melaleuca) oil product, and recovered within a day. In Melbourne, 109 young children were admitted after swallowing eucalyptus oil, another oil rich in 1,8-cineole: 59% had effects, three became unconscious after between 5 and 10 mL, and all recovered. In Victoria, 74% of such children reached the oil through a home vaporiser at floor level. If anyone may have swallowed any essential oil, call a poison centre (US 1-800-222-1222) or your emergency number at once. This page gives no safe amount. Read across 26 15 35 7 10 22
- Babies and young children: keep cajeput oil away from their faces, noses and mouths. It is rich in 1,8-cineole.. Cajeput oil is about 61% 1,8-cineole (EFSA batches: 58.7 to 63.4%). The EU herbal committee says eucalyptus oil medicines, which are also cineole-rich, must not be given to children under 30 months because of a risk of spasm of the voice box, nor to children with a history of seizures. That is about eucalyptus, not cajeput, but the compound is the same, so the careful reading is that it applies. In India, 17 children had seizures after eucalyptus oil drops swallowed in water or milk, usually within 20 minutes. We found no source describing kayu putih oil in infant massage, so we cannot say what is safe there; ask a paediatrician or pharmacist. Read across 9 28 8 6 4
- Skin, eyes and airways: EFSA says treat it as an irritant and a sensitiser.. EFSA's 2024 opinion says cajuput oil should be considered an irritant to skin and eyes, and a skin and respiratory sensitiser. This is based on a safety data sheet. The company's search found 17 published papers on user safety, and none reported a problem. We found no patch-test study of cajeput oil. Poison Control says pure oils are potent, should be diluted in a carrier oil if used on skin, and should not go on damaged skin; stop at once if a rash appears and wash the oil off. NCCIH says tea tree oil is more likely to irritate if old or exposed to heat, light or air. This page gives no dilution figure and no way to use the oil. Regulatory 8 26 22
- Breathing the vapour: one small test found no reaction, and the data stop there.. In a 2002 US study of the Melaleuca tree, four people breathed the odour of cajeput oil for one hour in a closed system, and none reacted. That is far too little to show safety for long diffusing, for people with asthma or for babies. EFSA still labels the oil a respiratory sensitiser. In Victoria, young children got to eucalyptus oil mostly through home vaporisers. Human challenge 33 8 7
- Pets: cats and birds are at the greatest risk of essential-oil poisoning.. Pet Poison Helpline says cats and birds are at the greatest risk and lists eucalyptus, tea tree and melaleuca oils among the oils that can poison pets. EFSA says cats have an unusually low capacity to clear these compounds (glucuronidation) and need a wider safety margin even in tiny feed amounts. A review of veterinary calls describes depression, weakness, incoordination and tremors in dogs and cats after melaleuca oil on skin, with recovery in two to three days. A series of 443 dogs and cats exposed to 100% tea tree oil had drooling, lethargy, weakness, unsteadiness and tremors for up to 72 hours. Keep bottles and diffusers away from pets. Veterinary 24 8 37 18
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: no source we read shows cajeput oil is safe.. We found no study of cajeput oil in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and LactMed was not searched. Ask a doctor or midwife before using it. Not found 8
- What is in the bottle varies, and cajeput oil is sometimes used to substitute for tea tree oil.. EFSA says fresh leaves of both trees are commonly mixed before distillation, and the oil is defined mostly by its cineole share. A 2016 chemistry paper says substitution or adulteration of tea tree oil with oils such as cajeput is common. Poison Control says essential oil products are not well regulated and it can be hard to know the plant species, strength or contaminants. A label should give the Latin name and the plant part. Chemistry 8 3 26
Side effects 4
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin or eye irritation; skin and airway sensitisation Based on a safety data sheet and a search that found 17 papers with no user-safety issues. No patch-test study was found. | No rate found for cajeput oil | Not graded; EFSA's panel labels the oil an irritant and a sensitiser Poison Control says to stop and wash the oil off; a persistent rash needs a doctor | Regulatory 8 26 |
| Drowsiness, confusion, unsteadiness, and in severe cases loss of consciousness, after swallowing a cineole-rich or melaleuca oil Cases are of eucalyptus and tea tree oil, not cajeput. | 59% of 109 children had effects after eucalyptus oil (read-across); no cajeput rate exists | Three of 109 children were unconscious after 5 to 10 mL of eucalyptus oil; all recovered All recovered in the series; hospital stay averaged 22 hours | Read across 35 15 |
| Seizures after swallowing a cineole-rich oil Eucalyptus oil cases. Cajeput is not named in the reviews, and not being named is not proof of safety. | Rare but under-recognised (authors of the Indian series); no cajeput case found | Generalised tonic-clonic seizures in all 17 children; none recurred over 6 to 9 months Recovered in the series; one older report describes a less favourable course in a child | Read across 28 6 4 |
| Poisoning in cats, dogs and birds Tea tree and melaleuca oil data. | 443 dog and cat cases with 100% tea tree oil over 10 years in one database (read-across) | Serious signs for up to 72 hours Recovery in 2 to 3 days with supportive care in the melaleuca-oil review | Veterinary 18 37 24 |
Liver
No liver injury linked to cajeput oil was found. LiverTox was not read. EFSA says the main compound 1,8-cineole is absorbed, broken down by oxidation and excreted in lab animals and humans, and is not expected to build up. Poison Control says children's immature livers may make them more vulnerable to essential oils in general. 8 26
How often. Not established.
Monitoring. Not applicable.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Cajeput Oil supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 2
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicines used for epilepsy or seizure-prone people condition | 1,8-cineole has been named as a convulsive agent in a systematic review and eucalyptus oil, which is cineole-rich, has caused seizures in children when swallowed. | Unknown for cajeput oil. Listed as a precaution only. | Read across Not enough evidence 4 28 9 | If you or your child has epilepsy or has had seizures, do not use cineole-rich oils without asking a doctor. The EU committee bars eucalyptus oil medicines in children with a seizure history. |
| Prescription medicines (any) drug | No interaction study of cajeput oil with any medicine was found. | Unknown. | None found Not enough evidence 8 | If you take medicines, ask a pharmacist before using essential oils on large areas of skin or around a baby. |
Who should check first 5
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Swallowing the oil (any person, child or pet) | Do not swallow essential oil. If it happens, contact a poison centre at once (US 1-800-222-1222) or your local emergency number. | Authoritative guidance 26 22 |
| Babies' and young children's faces, noses and mouths | Keep cineole-rich oils away. The EU committee bars eucalyptus oil medicines under 30 months. | Read across 9 35 |
| Children or adults with a history of seizures | Do not use cineole-rich oils without asking a doctor. | Read across 9 4 |
| Broken or damaged skin, and eyes | Do not put essential oil on damaged skin or near the eyes (Poison Control; EFSA labels the oil an eye irritant). | Authoritative guidance 26 8 |
| Anyone who has had an allergic rash from an essential oil | Do not use. EFSA labels cajeput oil a skin sensitiser. | Regulatory 8 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No toxic amount for cajeput oil in people is given in the sources we read. Related cineole-rich and melaleuca oils cause poisoning when swallowed, especially in young children.
Amounts. No safe amount is established, and this page gives none.
Onset and course. For eucalyptus oil in children: drowsiness, vomiting, unsteadiness, and rarely unconsciousness; seizures usually within 20 minutes in the Indian series; all children in the Melbourne series recovered. Not described for cajeput.
Repeated use. Not studied for cajeput oil.
Animal data. EFSA derived safe levels for feed for each animal species from a margin-of-exposure approach, and used a wider margin for cats (the safe level for cats is the lowest, 5 mg per kg of complete feed). Dogs and cats given melaleuca oil on skin had tremors and weakness.
Toxic parts. The oil is steam-distilled from leaves. About three-quarters is 1,8-cineole, alpha-terpineol and limonene (EFSA mean 75.56%).
Not read. Tisserand and Young safety profile, RIFM and IFRA assessments, EU cosmetics rules, LiverTox and LactMed were not read. No cajeput-specific figure for sun sensitivity, asthma or cats was found.
What is in the bottle can differ from the label, and two tree species are used under one name.
Two species mixed under one name. EFSA says fresh leaves of M. cajuputi and M. leucadendra are commonly mixed before distillation. GBIF lists both as accepted species. Papers also use the spelling 'M. leucadendron'. 8 11 12
Composition varies. 1,8-cineole was 61.46% on average (58.71 to 63.40%) in five EFSA batches, 64.63% in one cajuputi sample, and 43.0% in a Cuban M. leucadendra leaf oil, which also had 24.2% viridiflorol; a second Cuban M. leucadendra oil had 61% cineole. 8 39 25 20
Adulteration and substitution. A 2016 paper says substituting tea tree oil with other tea tree species such as cajeput, niaouli, manuka or kanuka oils is common. We found no study of how often cajeput oil itself is adulterated. 3
Impurities and shelf-life. EFSA says no data were provided on impurities such as heavy metals and pesticides, and none supported the stated 12-month shelf-life. The panel judged carry-over into a steam-distilled oil unlikely, except mercury. 8
Old or air-exposed oil. NCCIH says aged or air-exposed tea tree oil is more likely to irritate skin. No cajeput-specific data was found. 22
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA FEEDAP Panel - cajuput oil (animal feed additive) (EU) | Concluded the oil is safe in animal feed up to stated levels (lowest for cats), and should be considered a skin and eye irritant and a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Not a human medicine assessment. source | 2024-04-10 (published) |
| EMA (European Medicines Agency) - eucalyptus oil (EU) | Traditional use only for cough with colds and muscle pain; not for children under 30 months or with seizure history. About eucalyptus, not cajeput. source | 2016-12-05 |
| US FDA - aromatherapy products (US) | Regulation depends on intended use: a product meant only to cleanse or give a pleasant scent is a cosmetic; one intended to treat or prevent disease is a drug. source | undated page |
When to get medical help
- If a child or pet may have swallowed any essential oil, call a poison centre (US 1-800-222-1222) or your local emergency number at once. Do not wait for signs.
- Call emergency services for any breathing difficulty, swelling of the face or throat, collapse or a seizure after exposure to an essential oil.
- Drowsiness, confusion, unsteadiness or repeated vomiting after swallowing or heavy exposure need emergency care.
- A spreading, blistering or weeping rash: stop using the oil, wash with soap and water and see a doctor.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is cajeput oil safe to swallow?
No. Do not swallow essential oil. Poison Control warns some oils can be poisonous, and swallowed tea tree oil, a relative, has made a toddler confused and unable to walk. We found no cajeput cases and no safe amount. If a child or pet may have swallowed any essential oil, call a poison centre (US 1-800-222-1222) or your emergency number.
Is cajeput oil safe for babies and young children?
Keep it away from their faces, noses and mouths. The EU medicines agency bars cineole-rich eucalyptus oil medicines for children under 30 months because of voice-box spasm, and for children with seizures. Cajeput oil is also cineole-rich, but no cajeput-specific statement was found. We also found no source on kayu putih oil in infant massage. Ask a paediatrician or pharmacist.
Can cajeput oil cause skin reactions?
Is it safe to breathe in cajeput oil or use it in a diffuser?
Is cajeput oil safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Unknown. We found no study of cajeput oil in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Ask a doctor or midwife.
Is cajeput oil safe around pets?
Be careful. Pet Poison Helpline says cats and birds are at the greatest risk from essential oils and lists melaleuca and tea tree oils among those that can poison pets. EFSA says cats clear these compounds poorly. A review describes tremors and weakness in dogs and cats after melaleuca oil on skin. Keep bottles and diffusers away from pets.
Does cajeput oil help with colds or a blocked nose?
Does cajeput oil repel mosquitoes?
Does cajeput oil treat fungal infections, herpes or cancer?
Is cajeput oil the same as tea tree, niaouli or eucalyptus oil?
Are all cajeput oils the same?
Can I trust the label on a bottle?
Explore by health goal
Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We read the abstracts of 32 PubMed papers, read the full EFSA opinion on cajuput oil, read the Poison Control, NCCIH, EMA, Pet Poison Helpline and FDA pages, checked both tree names in GBIF and three compounds in PubChem.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Industry links are labelled where we could see them.
Sources 40
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
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