136 /CABBAGE(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8. Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.Gaesalpinia bonducella
See Divi-Divi
Cajuput
Melaleuca leucadendra
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the oil distilled from
the fresh leaves and twigs.
Flower and Fruit: The tree has racemes of small, sessile,
creamy white flowers on long terminal spikes up to 15 cm
long, which themselves terminate in a tuft of leaves. The
flowers have numerous stamens extending to 15 mm.
Leaves, Stem and Root: Melaleuca leucadendra is a large tree
up to 40 m tall with a flexible trunk and irregular pendulous
branches. The tree is covered in a pale, lamellate bark, which
is soft and spongy and occasionally peels off its layers. The
leaves are alternate, entire-margined, oblong-lanceolate,
tapering, ash-colored and on short petioles.Characteristic: It has an odor reminiscent of camphor and
eucalyptus.
Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Southeast Asia and the
tropical regions of Australia. It is cultivated elsewhere.
Production: Cajuput oil consists of the essential oil of
Melaleuca leucadendra. It is extracted from the fresh leaves
and twig tips of a number of varieties collected from the wild
or from cultivation, followed by air-drying and aqueous
steam distillation.
Other Names: White Tea Tree, Swamp Tea Tree, Paperbark
Tree, White Wood
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Chief constituents: cineol, (+)-alpha-terpineol, (-)-alpha-ter-
pineol, (+)-alpha-terpineol valerate, (-)- alpha-terpineol val-
erate, furthermore alpha-pinenes and bicyclic sesquiterpenes,
non-rectified oils also contain 3,5-dimethyl-4, 6-di-O-meth-
yl-phloroacetophenone
EFFECTS
In vitro, the drug has an antimicrobial and a rubefacient
effect.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Approved by Commission E:- Rheumatism
- Neurogenic pain
- Temporary relief of muscular pain
- Tendency to infection
- Wounds and burns
Unproven Uses: The drug is used for painful muscles and
joints in rheumatic disorders, sciatica, lumbago, slipped disk
and low back pain. Cajuput is also used for muscular tension
and pain following sports injuries such as sprains, bruising,
and pulled muscles or ligaments.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
No internal administration of the drug should take place in
the presence of inflammatory illnesses of the gastrointestinal
area or of the biliary ducts, nor in the presence of severe liver
diseases. Preparations containing the oil should not be
applied to the faces of infants or small children (glottal
spasm or bronchial spasm or even asthma-like attacks or
respiratory failure might occur).PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
General: No health hazards or side effects are known in
conjunction with the proper administration of designated
therapeutic dosages; however, contact dermatitis is possible.
Pediatric Use: The drug should not be applied to the facial
area, in particular not around the nose, of infants and small
children (glottal spasms could occur).
OVERDOSAGE
Overdoses of cajuput oil (more than 10 gm) could lead to
life-threatening poisonings, due to the high cineole content.
Symptoms include including loss of blood pressure, circula-
tory disorders, collapse and respiratory failure. Vomiting is
not to be induced in the case of poisoning, because of the
danger of aspiration. Following administration of activated
charcoal, the therapy for poisonings consists of treating
spasms with diazepam (i.v.), treating colic with atropine,
electrolyte substitution and treating possible cases of acidosis
with sodium bicarbonate infusions. Intubation and oxygen
respiration may also be necessary.DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Cajuput oil is used only for external
purposes.
LITERATURE
Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Vol. 1. 2nd Ed.,
CRC Press 1975.