Cajeput essential oil, “Nam Man Khiao” in Thai (น้ำมันเขียว) is very popular in traditional Thai medicine.
It is extracted from the leaves of Cajeputier or Melaleuca Blanc. It helps to relieve pain and inflammation in muscles and joints.
The main suppliers are located in the provinces of Krabi, Satun and Trang where oils of remarkable quality are produced in mainly traditional farms.
It contains various compounds that are beneficial to health, including terpenes, aldehydes, phenols, and esters, which give it numerous benefits.
Cajeput oil has a long history of use in Thailand in traditional medicine practices. Because of the often oral nature of the transmission of this knowledge, there is little precise documentation on the exact date of its introduction in Thailand. It is likely that it has been used in the region for centuries, perhaps even since ancient times.
This text is mentioned several times in the “Phay Sua Samut” (ภัยเสือสมุทร): This text, also known as the “Sea Tigers Medical Treatise”, was written during the Ayutthaya period (14th, 18th century). It discusses diagnoses, treatments, and healing practices.
Today, cajeput oil is widely used throughout Thailand, whether in hospitals and clinics, or in homes as an herbal remedy for a variety of conditions.
Cajeput oil has also been used in other traditional medicines around the world, in addition to traditional Thai medicine.
In traditional Chinese medicine, cajeput oil is known as “baiyao oil.”
In Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine from India, it is known as “Karpuradi taila.”
Called “minyak kayu putih” in Indonesian, it is widely used in traditional local medicine.
It is also recognized in traditional Vietnamese medicine under the name of “dầu bạc hà”.
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Cajeput oil is an essential oil extracted from the leaves and twigs of the Cajeput tree (Melaleuca leucadendra) native to Southeast Asia and Australia.
Cajeput trees can grow in a variety of soil types, but they prefer well-drained, nutrient-rich soils. The trees are also drought resistant and can survive in low humidity conditions.
The best regions in Thailand for growing cajeput and producing cajeput oil are located in the south of the country, where the hot and humid climate provides suitable conditions for the growth of the Melaleuca cajuputi tree:
We therefore naturally favour producers in these provinces where farms are essentially traditional.
In Thailand, there may be various methods of making cajeput oil, which may vary by region and local practices.
The steam distillation manufacturing process is as follows:
Cajeput oil is composed of a complex mixture of chemical compounds, which may vary slightly depending on the method of manufacture and the source of the plant:
In addition to these main compounds, cajeput oil may contain other compounds such as gamma-terpinene, p-cymene, alpha terpinene, and traces of other volatile compounds.
