Cinnamomum camphora / Camphor / Lauraceae (Laurel family)

Information

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Other Names

Camphor, Laurel Camphor, Camphor Laurel, Cinannamomum camphora, Gum Camphor, True Camphor, Hon-sho, Japanese Camphor, Formosa Camphor.

Scent

Powerful, penetrating and medicinal are three words to describe the unique fragrance of Camphor. Most people know the typical odor from moth repellent (moth-balls).

Aromatic Properties

The fragrance of Camphor increases Prana, opens up senses and brings clarity to the mind, eases headache and awakens perception.

Contents

Alpha-pinene, camphene, beta-pinene, sabinene, phellandrene, limonene, 1, 8-cineole, y-terpentine, p-cymene, terpinolene, furfural, camphor, linalool, bornyl acetate, terpinen-4-ol, caryophyllene, borneo, piperitone, geraniol, safrole, cinnamaldehyde, methyl cinnamate and eugenol.

Synergic Combinations

Blends well with Rosemary, Basil, Cajeput, Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Juniper, Melissa, Wintergreen.

Historical

Camphor has a big variety of uses. It has been, and still is used in the Mahashiva Ratri celebrations of Shiva, in India. It burns cool without leaving an ash residue. In the 19th century there was a big demand for it in the use of making celluloid. An edible form of Camphor is currently widely used in flavouring sweets and desert dishes in Asia. Other modern uses include moth repellent and other anti-insect products, embalming, fireworks. Is is an active ingredient in vapor-steam products. Camphor is a well-established folk remedy(1).

Health Warnings

Camphor is poisonous if ingested in large quantities.

Plant Description

Camphor trees of the Lauraceae family are found on Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra, Japan, China and are a close relative of the Cinnamon tree. White Camphor crystals are found in some old trees, whereas other trees produce only oil. The oil can be oxidized into crystals. Also the clippings, roots and wood chips of the tree are steam distilled to produce Camphor crystals and Camphor oil. The sturdy tree has glossy, waxy, dark green aromatic leaves. When mature, the tree can reach a height of 20-30m.
The wood itself repels insects, moths, flies and is very durable against the erosion of salt air. The tree must be at least 50 years old to produce oil.

References

(1) Monograph, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database
- King's American Dispensatory, by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898.
- Camphor: A Diminishing Industry of Great Importance, by Amanda Boyd, Ethnobotanical Leaflets

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Cinnamomum camphora - Wikipedia