Camphor tree, Cinnamomum camphora, is a tree that reaches 120 ft (40 m) in height. Belongs to the Laurel family. The camphor tree is found in southern China and the island of Taiwan.
It is distributed in Japan, Sri Lanka, East Africa. Camphor tree blooms in May-June with small white flowers, gathered in racemose inflorescences. Even outside their homeland, placed at appropriate locations, camphor trees are well developed.
The biggest camphor tree is on the island of Taiwan. The circumference of the trunk is 48 ft (16 m) and the diameter is 16.5 ft (5.5 m). From this 51-meter tree can be prepared more than 15 435 lb (7000 kg) camphor oil. Locals believe that the tree is 1, 400 years old and below it is an altar.
Taiwanese honor camphor trees because they believe that they are inhabited by deities. About 70% of world production of camphor oil and camphor belongs to Taiwan. Already in the 13th century, Marco Polo noted that camphor oil is much valued by the Chinese as a fragrance, as medicine and as an embalming fluid.
Composition of camphor
Crude camphor is derived from camphor as a white crystalline solid. All parts of the tree contain essential oil - roots 8%, about 4% in the wood, branches have 2% and about 1.8% in the leaves.
The main chemical components in camphor oil are borneol, geraniol, cinnamic, safrole, eugenol, methyl cinnamate, camphene, limonene, sabinene and others. Camphor oil is extracted by steam distillation of the branches or roots of the tree. The extracted concentrate is placed in a vacuum, and filtered.
Three types of camphor exist- white, yellow and brown. The yellow and brown camphor are very high in safrole - about 80% in brown oil and 10-20% in yellow oil. This makes them extremely dangerous and unusable because they are considered to be carcinogenic.
Selection and storage of camphor
Camphor can be purchased in the form of oil in pharmacies and specialized stores. Store according to package directions and keep the oil away from children.
Benefits of Camphor
Usually camphor is used externally to relieve rheumatic and arthritic pain, backache and neuralgia. Can be used for skin problems such as herpes, rashes in the mouth, or a chest rub for bronchitis and other lung infections.
Camphor is very often used for steam inhalations designed to reduce coughing. These inhalations have a local anaesthetic effect and at the same time eliminate congestion.
When the cream or ointment that contains camphor is rubbed into the chest, back or neck, body heat helps to release camphor vapours that, when inhaled, help loosen mucus and relieve congested airways.
Camphor is used to soften chapped lips, relieve itching in skin complaints, such as insect bites and eczema. It promotes healing of wounds and burns on the skin, helps to repel moths and other insects.
When camphor applied to the skin as a salve, it acts as a very good counterirritant that stimulates nerve endings and help reduce pain.
Cold camphor compresses are used for sprains and contusions. Very small amounts of camphor oil, added to the creams, are sufficient to alleviate the inflammatory diseases and eliminate redness. It is extremely useful for acne and chapped hands.
Camphor relieves sunburn, helps with heart palpitations and coronary heart disease, it is used to treat chronic heart failure. Favourable effect on the heart muscle is also noted.
In Mexico, a mixture of olive oil and camphor is a very popular treatment for injuries and neuralgia. In Latin America, the solution of camphor in wine is used as a weapon against cancers and respiratory problems.
Camphor brings about a positive mood and relieves depression. It is estimated that it brings clarity of mind awakens and stimulates the mind.
Camphor oil blends well with essential oils of chamomile, basil, lemon balm and lavender.
Dangers of camphor
Camphor oil is very strong, and therefore should be used with caution. Camphor overdose can cause vomiting and seizures. Pregnant women, as well as people suffering from asthma and epilepsy should not use this oil.
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