Evidence supporting the use of: Cajuput
For the health condition: Dandruff

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cajeput (Melaleuca cajuputi) oil has a history of traditional use in Southeast Asian folk medicine, including as a remedy for skin and scalp conditions such as dandruff. The primary rationale for its use is based on its perceived antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which are thought to help reduce the fungal populations (notably Malassezia spp.) that contribute to dandruff. In traditional practices, cajeput oil is sometimes used in topical formulations or added to shampoos to soothe the scalp and decrease flaking.

However, direct scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of cajeput oil specifically for dandruff is limited. Some in vitro studies demonstrate that cajeput oil possesses antimicrobial and antifungal activity, but these are not directly linked to clinical studies on dandruff treatment. Comparable essential oils, such as tea tree oil (from the related Melaleuca alternifolia), have more robust clinical evidence supporting their use against dandruff, mainly due to their antifungal effects. By analogy, cajeput oil is sometimes included in anti-dandruff formulations, but this is not strongly supported by scientific trials.

In summary, the use of cajeput oil for dandruff is justified more by traditional practices than by scientific evidence, and the overall evidence strength is modest, primarily derived from in vitro studies and ethnobotanical records rather than direct clinical trials.

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