Camphor

Latin Name: Cinnamomum camphora

Origin/ Where Found

The camphor tree, a large evergreen, grows in Asia, South America, Florida and California

Properties

Soothes muscle aches, relieves coughs and repels moths.

Sensoric Quality

It has a smell akin to turpentine.

Part(s) Used

Camphor is actually a white crystalline substance that's distilled from the wood and roots of the camphor tree. However, most commercial products said to contain camphor today actually contain a synthetic version of it.

History

Historically, camphor was known to be used for medical purposes, although many of its uses have fallen out of favor because of potential toxicity problems. External use, as a rub-on oil has stood the test of time. Camphorated oil was banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US in 1980 after reports of poisoning through accidental ingestion.

Organs/ Systems Affected

Integumentary, Nervous

Usage/ Dosage

The pungent fumes and vapours of camphor would ward off bugs with a taste for cashmere. Camphor has recently been replaced by more effective repellents such as naphthalene.

External uses of camphor continues to be popular as a rub-on oil called the camphor Liniment, that actually consists of cottonseed oil containing enough dissolved camphor to make a strong 20 percent solution.

In Ayurveda, the ancient East Indian system of healing, camphor is used to strengthen and activate the nervous system and stimulate digestion.

Topical creams such as Amrutanjan, Ben-Gay and Aurum Gold Analgesic, containing up to 11 percent camphor, are available and are considered safe. These creams produce a sensation of warmth that helps to counter pain. They also increase blood flow to the area to which they are applied. The famous Vicks' products contain camphor, evidencing that inhaling fumes from a vaporizing camphor ointment rubbed on the chest can help to ease coughing and congestion.

As research continues to find alternatives of all that is natural, most commercial products said to contain camphor now contain a synthetic version of it.

Availability

Camphor tablets are available at grocery stores across India and cakes of pure camphor can be ordered at a pharmacy - you can make your own camphorated oil.

Allergic Reactions/ Contraindications

Do not take Camphor if you are pregnant, or have burns or ruptured skin segments on the body. Also, do not expose infants and small children to camphor - especially facial/ nasal regions.

Please note though, you may want to think twice before experimenting with this potentially harmful substance, as ingesting amounts as small as a teaspoonful could be fatal.

Side Effects

Eczema. It can produce toxic symptoms such as dizziness, tremors, nausea, and in high quantities, lead to death.