CAJUPUT OIL

cajuput oil, a volatile oil obtained by distillation from the leaves of the myrtaceous tree _melaleuca leucadendron_, and probably other species. the trees yielding the oil are found throughout the indian archipelago, the malay peninsula and over the hotter parts of the australian continent; but the greater portion of the oil is produced from celebes island. the name cajuput is derived from the native _kayuputi_ or white wood. the oil is prepared from leaves collected on a hot dry day, which are macerated in water, and distilled after fermenting for a night. this oil is extremely pungent to the taste, and has the odour of a mixture of turpentine and camphor. it consists mainly of cineol (see terpenes), from which cajuputene having a hyacinthine odour can be obtained by distillation with phosphorus pentoxide. the drug is a typical volatile oil, and is used internally in doses of 1⁄2 to 3 minims, for the same purposes as, say, clove oil. it is frequently employed externally as a counter-irritant.