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In brief: Cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi) is a relative of tea tree and eucalyptus. It contains up to 60% 1,8-cineole, smells fresh, camphoraceous and lightly fruity, and belongs mainly in a diffuser in the cold season (2–4 drops). On the skin 1–2%, never near the faces of children; for children only from 6 years.
| Latin name | Melaleuca cajuputi (also M. leucadendron), cajuput |
|---|---|
| Plant part and extraction | leaves and twigs, steam distillation (our oil: Australia, BIO) |
| Main components | 1,8-cineole (up to 60%), α-terpineol, p-cymene, terpinolene, γ-terpinene, limonene |
| Scent | fresh, camphoraceous, herbal, lightly fruity |
| Dilution on the skin | adults 1–2% (2–4 drops per 10 ml), children from 6 years up to 1% |
| Safety | cineole: not near children's faces, not under 6 years, caution with epilepsy and asthma |
In Asia, cajuput is traditionally used in balms and oils for rubbing in and for inhalation. The tree is recognised by its pale, papery bark. It is less well known here than eucalyptus, but anyone looking for a fresh winter scent with a softer, fruitier finish often stays with it.
Because cajuput is rich in 1,8-cineole, the same rules apply to it as to eucalyptus. In this article we summarise them together with dosing and recipes.
What is in the bottle: 1,8-cineole and its relatives
BIO Cajuput is distilled from the leaves and twigs of a tree of the myrtle family, the same family as tea tree, manuka or eucalyptus. Commercial cajuput oil contains up to 60% 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol). This gives it a fresh, "bronchial" scent. The rest is mainly α-terpineol, p-cymene, terpinolene and limonene, thanks to which the scent is softer and fruitier than that of eucalyptus.
| Oil | Latin name | Character of the scent | Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cajuput | Melaleuca cajuputi | fresh, camphoraceous, lightly fruity | from 6 years, not near the face |
| Eucalyptus | Eucalyptus globulus | sharp, camphoraceous, cooling | from 6 years, not near the face |
| Tea tree | Melaleuca alternifolia | medicinal, herbal, sharper | from 6 years |
| Myrtle | Myrtus communis | delicate, green, herbal | from 6 years, not near the face |
We write about the related oils in the articles eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil.
Diffuser and oil burner: when cajuput makes sense
The best use of cajuput is scenting the home in winter, when the air is stale and you want a fresh scent. In an ultrasonic diffuser, 2–4 drops in a small room, 4–6 in a medium one. In an oil burner 2–3 drops. Diffuse for 20–30 minutes and ventilate. Details in the article how many drops for a diffuser and oil burner.
Blends with cajuput
- Winter home (diffuser): 2 drops of cajuput, 2 drops of lemon, 1 drop of fir.
- Study (diffuser): 2 drops of cajuput, 1 drop of rosemary, 2 drops of lime.
- Fresh forest (oil burner): 1 drop of cajuput, 2 drops of fir.
Cajuput goes well with lemon, lime, fir, rosemary and eucalyptus. Tips for scents for cold season can be found in the article essential oils for a runny and blocked nose.
Steam inhalation for adults
- Pour hot water (not boiling) into a bowl and add 1 drop of cajuput.
- Close your eyes, lean over the bowl at about 30 cm and breathe through your nose for 3–5 minutes.
- When your eyes or nose begin to sting, stop. More drops will not help.
Steam inhalation with cajuput is not for children or for asthmatics.
On the skin: chest and back massage for adults
In massage oils, cajuput is traditionally used on the chest, back and after sport. For adults 1–2% is enough.
| Carrier oil | 1% | 2% |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ml | 2 drops | 4 drops |
| 30 ml | 6 drops | 12 drops |
Warming back massage: add 6 drops of cajuput and 4 drops of lavender (about 1.7%) to 30 ml of jojoba oil. Do not apply to the face, under the nose or to irritated skin. Cajuput may irritate the skin, so do a test on the forearm. For a bath, add it only mixed into a spoonful of carrier oil or cream, 3–4 drops per bath. More about dilution in the article essential oils for the complexion.
Why 1,8-cineole must not go near children's faces
Tisserand and Young point out that, because of its 1,8-cineole content, cajuput may cause breathing and nervous system problems in small children. The same warning applies to eucalyptus and other oils rich in cineole. So the following applies:
- Children under 6: no cajuput at all, not even in a diffuser in their room.
- Children from 6 years: 1–2 drops in a diffuser, for at most 15–20 minutes; on the skin up to 1% and only on the back or chest, never on the face or under the nose.
- Epilepsy: people with epilepsy do not use oils with a high cineole content (eucalyptus, cajuput, rosemary) without consulting a doctor.
- Asthma: a strong scent may trigger a coughing fit in sensitive people; start with 1 drop.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: only briefly in a diffuser, on the skin after consulting a doctor.
- Cats: cineole oils (eucalyptus and relatives) are risky for cats. Do not diffuse in a room with a cat. See essential oils and pets.
The rules for all age groups are summarised in the article essential oils and children. Store the bottle out of reach of children: accidental swallowing of an oil with cineole is dangerous for children.
Traditional use and storage
In Southeast Asia, cajuput oil is traditionally used for rubbing in and for inhalation; in Australia the Aboriginal people inhaled the vapours of crushed leaves. Laboratory studies deal mainly with the antimicrobial properties of cineole. At home, take cajuput as a scent, not as a remedy for colds, and never take it internally.
Store the oil in a dark bottle in a cool, dark place, tightly closed, and use it up within 1–2 years of opening. When it begins to smell sharp or like turpentine, do not use it on the skin any more.
Frequently asked questions
What is cajuput oil used for?
Mainly in a diffuser for a fresh scent in winter, and diluted in massage oils for the back and chest. Traditionally it is used for colds, but it is not a medicine.
What is the difference between cajuput and eucalyptus?
Both contain a lot of 1,8-cineole. Cajuput smells softer and fruitier, eucalyptus sharper and more cooling. The safety rules are the same for both.
Can I put cajuput in a diffuser for children?
Not under 6. For older children 1–2 drops for a short time, never near the face and not for the whole night.
Is cajuput the same as tea tree?
No, it is a different species of the same genus, Melaleuca. Tea tree (M. alternifolia) is dominated by terpinen-4-ol, cajuput (M. cajuputi) by 1,8-cineole.
Recommended products
- BIO Cajuput, essential oil 10 ml – a fresh cineole oil from the leaves of Melaleuca cajuputi.
- BIO Lemon oil 10 ml – brightens cajuput in a winter blend.
- BIO Silver fir, essential oil 10 ml – a woodland partner for the diffuser.
- BIO Jojoba 10 ml – a carrier oil for a back massage blend.
- Ceramic oil burner 9 × 7.5 cm – for 2–3 drops of cajuput in a smaller room.
Sources
- AromaWeb: Cajeput Essential Oil, composition and safety according to Tisserand & Young – aromaweb.com
- Tisserand R., Young R.: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd edition, Churchill Livingstone 2014 (Cajuput profile, p. 224).
- Brophy J. J., Craven L. A., Doran J. C.: Melaleucas: their botany, essential oils and uses, ACIAR 2013 (1,8-cineole content in cajuput oil).
- Tisserand Institute: How to Use Essential Oils Safely – tisserandinstitute.org
Updated: 27 September 2026
Author: Jana Vránová, the editorial pen name of the Pěstík.cz team. She writes about the garden, herbs and essential oils. We take safety and dosage information from specialist literature and official sources, which we cite in every article.