Camphor Essence

Description

CAMPHOR (Cinnamomum camphora)

Family: Lauraceae (laurel)

Source: The Essential oil is obtained from the clippings, wood and roots.

Fragrance:: Mild eucalyptus.

Volatility: Middle note.

General description and habitat:

Related to the cinnamon and cassia trees; height up to over 30 meters (100 feet); native of China, Taiwan and Japan; evergreen; sometimes grows down to the ground.

This is usually "white" camphor. Other varieties include: Borneo camphor and yellow camphor.

Principal constituents: Camphene, azulene, borneol, cadinene, pinene, carvacrol, cineol, citronellol, cuminic alcohol, terpineol, safrol, dipentene, eugenol, phellandrene.

History

History and folk use:

The Chinese say that it can live for up to 1,000 years; used to be used in mothballs.

Properties & Uses

General properties: Analgesic, antispasmodic, balancing, sedative, stimulant, warming.

Primary Uses:

Circulatory Disorders,	Chest Infections,
Diarrhea,	Diuretic,
Gastroenteritis,	Fibromyalgia,
Skin Eruptions,	Stress.

Secondary Uses:

Aching,	Acne,
Anxiety,	Arthritis,
Asthma,	Bronchitis,
Bruises,	Burns,
Colds,	Constipation,
Coughs,	Depression,
Digestion (Stimulates),	Fevers,
Flatulence,	Fluid retention,
'Flu,	Gout,
Heart Tonic,	Hypotension,
Inflamed Skin,	Insomnia,
Insufficient Blood Circulation,	Irritability,
Pneumonia,	Rheumatoid Arthritis,
Sprains,	Toothache,
Ulcers,	Vasoconstrictor,
Vomiting,	Worms,
Wounds.

Contraindications

Only to be used for acute conditions as it is highly toxic, especially for those who are asthmatic or allergy prone.

Do not use during pregnancy.

It is not approved by the FDA for internal consumption.

Camphor has approval status by the German Commission E.

References:

Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.