| Latin Names |
English Names |
Hindi Names |
Melaleuca leucadendron
Linn.
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Cajuput Tree,
Tea Tree |
Kayaputi, Kajuput |
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 Habitat
It was indigenous to Burma, Cambodia, Thailand and Malay Peninsula to Australia. It was introduced to India and grown in gardens and parks as an ornamental plant.
Morphology Description (Habit)
It is an evergreen tree of small or moderate size with pendulous branches, sometimes attaining a height of 21 m. and a girth up to 1.5 m. The Bark is white, soft, spongy, peeling off in elongated papery flakes; leaves oblong-elliptic, gland-dotted; flowers small, creamy white, in more or less interrupted elongate spikes; capsules small, globular or hemispheric, woody; the seeds numerous, obovoid or cuneate, very small. |
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Principal Constituents
Ursolic acid isolated from chloroform extract and piceatannol and oxyresveratrol from methanalic extract, are identified as active compounds1.
Pharmacology
The Essential oil exhibited anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antifebrile, antibacterial and expectorant activities. It has anti-dandruff activity.
Toxicology
No adverse effect was reported on usage of this plant.
Indications
It acts as an anthelmintic. It is also effective against lice.
References
- Chem. Pharm. Bull., 1991, 39, 3276.
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