374. Oleum Cajuputi.—Oil of Cajuput.

A volatile oil distilled from the leaves of Melaleu'ca leucaden'dron Linné.

BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS.—A tree with crooked stem and scattered branches, the branchlets drooping like those of the weeping willow; bark whitish. Leaves lanceolate, deep green, entire, from 3 to 4 inches long. Flowers small, white, inodorous, in axillary spikes.

HABITAT.—East Indies.

DESCRIPTION OF DRUG.—A light bluish-green (probably due to copper), limpid liquid having a penetrating, agreeable odor, and a warm, camphoraceous, bitter, afterward saline or cooling, taste. Specific gravity 0.912 to 0.925. It has a slightly acid reaction.

CONSTITUENTS.—The principal constituent is the hydrate of the hydrocarbon, cajuputene, C₁₀H₁₆ (Cajuputol, C₁₀H₁₆H₂O), said to be identical with eucalyptol, or cineol, from eucalyptus. The commercial oil often contains a trace of copper, not in large enough quantities to be dangerous, however.

ACTION AND USES.—Highly stimulant, carminative, and a counterirritant in rheumatism. Dose: 1 to 10 drops (0.065 to 0.65 mil).

A Manual of Organic Materia Medica and Pharmacognosy, 1917, was written by Lucius E. Sayre, B.S. Ph. M.