Camphor

Species name: Camphor essential oil is extracted from the Cinnamomum Camphora (also known as Laurus camphora) of the Lauraceae family.

Also known as: True camphor, hon-sho, gum camphor, as well as Japanese and Formosa camphor.

The Camphor tree can grow up to a hundred feet tall, and the active component in camphor essential oil is found throughout the tree.  Camphor trees are native to Taiwan, Japan, and China. 

These trees must be at least fifty years old to produce camphor essential oil.

Home Remedies using Camphor Essential Oil:

Camphor essential oil was a widely used remedy to prevent contraction of the plague in Iran, and was also an integral part of the embalming process. The Chinese used it to build ships and temples, because of the durable and aromatic properties of the wood.

Today, camphor oil is extracted by steam from the chipped wood, root stumps, and branches. After distillation and vacuum refining, the oil is filter pressed and three types of oil are produced. 

There is white, yellow and brown camphor. Only the white camphor oil is used and has a clear and fresh smell.

The brown and yellow Camphor oil is colored by a very high safrole (saffron) content, with yellow having between 10 - 20% and the brown having 80% concentration of safrole. These two oils are considered toxic, as well as being cancer causing properties.

Benefits of Camphor Essential Oil:

Camphor oil is a powerful oil and if you choose to use it, you should exercise extreme care. Camphor essential oil is not really used in aromatherapy as it is classed as a convulsant and neurotoxin.

The therapeutic properties of camphor oil are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic. There are also many other effects attributed to the use of camphor, but again, extreme caution should be used.

Camphor oil can be used in the treatment of nervous depression, acne, reduce inflammation, muscular aches and pains, and other conditions, but since camphor oil can be toxic, it should not be used in aromatherapy massage. It is also used with great effect to repel flies and moths.

In vapor therapy camphor oil can be used for the heart, clearing the lungs and boosting circulation, as well as calming nervous diseases and for convalescence.

For bruises and sprains, cold compresses are effective although very small amounts of camphor oil would be included in any formulation. It does help reduce redness, so it is useful as an acne treatment, and for burns and chapped skin.

Side Effects of Camphor Essential Oil:

Overdosing can cause convulsions and vomiting in pregnant women and has similar effects on people suffering from epilepsy and asthma. Extreme caution should be used with administering camphor oil.