Abstract
CAJEPUTI oil, obtained by the steam distillation of leaves of Melaleuca cajeputi Powell (Myrtaceae), has had a wide range of medical applications in the Indo–Malaysian region for many years1. This reputation caused it to be one of the first products brought by the Dutch to Europe from SE Asia. Several early eighteenth century publications2 related to its introduction into Europe by the Dutch, but present day requirements are met by leaf oils of related Eucalyptus species. There have been, however, consistent reports regarding antiseptic and analgesic properties of cajeputi oil, which are hardly accounted for by the reported composition. This is largely cineole, together with pinene, terpineol and its simple aliphatic esters, and traces of benzaldehyde and valeraldehyde2.
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References
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LOWRY, J. A New Constituent of Biogenetic, Pharmacological and Historical Interest from Melaleuca cajeputi Oil. Nature 241, 61–62 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/241061a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/241061a0
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