Camphor Oil

Camphor oil is balancing oil which is used for medicinal purposes in China, Japan and India. Camphor increases prana, opens up senses and brings clarity to the mind, eases headache and awakens perception. It acts as expectorant, decongestant, stimulant, antispasmodic, bronchodilator, nervine, analgesic, and antiseptic. It strongly affects respiratory and nervous system. Camphor mixes well with Rosemary oil, Eucalyptus oil, Frankincense oil, Juniper oil and Wintergreen oil.

The word camphor derives from the French word camphre. In Hindi, it is known as Corpora or Kapoor and in Sanskrit known as karpura. It is a waxy, white or transparent solid with a strong aromatic odour. Camphor`s aroma is usually clean, fresh, and very sharp due to which it is widely used in aromatherapy. Camphor is traditionally obtained by chopping the wood of a Camphor Laurel that is at least 50 years of age.

Camphor has a long history of herbal use in the Orient with a wide range of uses. It has occasionally been used internally in the treatment of hysteria, but in modern day herbalism it is mainly used as the essential oil. Cinnamomum Camphora, two varieties of camphor is mentioned by Sanskrit writers, namely, pakva and apakva that is prepared with the aid of heat and without it. The latter is considered superior to the former. It would seem from the above description that by the term apakva karpura, was probably meant the camphor obtained in Borneo from the trunk of Dryobalanops aromatica (Shorea Camphorifera) and by the term pakava karpura, the China camphor obtained by sublimation from the wood of Cinnamomum Camphora.

Health Benefits of Camphor
The Rajanirghantu describes an oil of camphor under the name of Karpura Taila. It is said to be useful in rheumatism and in giving firmness to loose teeth. This oil is not recognized or used by the native practitioners of the present day, but it most probably meant the camphor oil or liquid camphor obtained my making incisions on the Borneo camphor tree.

Camphor is regarded as carminative, stimulant and aphrodisiac; it is used in fever, diarrhoea, impotence, cough, eye-diseases, etc. It is also much used in the preparation of medicinal oils for imparting fragrance to them, singly as well as in combination with other aromatic substances.

Dose of Camphor in Medicine
Camphor enters into the composition of numerous medicines for the diseases mentioned above. The following is an illustration.

Karpura Rasa: Take cinnabar, opium, camphor, tubers of Cyperus rotundus (mustaka), indrajava seeds and nutmegs, equal parts; powder the ingredients and make into 4 grain pills with water. These pills are used in diarrhoea.

Camphor, rubbed with the milky juice of Ficus Bengalensis, is recommended to be applied to opacities on the cornea. It also enters into composition of several collyria. A small tent made with camphor is introduced into the urethra for the relief of irritability of the bladder and frequent micturition.

• It is used in massage oil, compress, salve, inhalation diffuser, and lotions. 
• Used for medicinal purpose in case of bronchitis, asthma, hysteria, nervous related diseases, rheumatism etc. 
• Camphor increases prana, opens up senses and brings clarity to the mind, eases headache and awakens perception. 
• It is a good stimulant and counter-irritant for joint and muscle pain. *
•It acts as an expectorant and a febrifuge, meaning that it cools fevers and helps clear lung congestion. 
• It can be used in the treatment of nervous depression.
• White camphor oil is a very good therapeutic treatment for controlling thinning, fragile, and breaking hair. 
• Camphor oil is recommended for use by the sportsperson as it is effective in the treatment of muscle aches.

• Camphor should be used only in low dosage (3-5 drops per 0z. of vegetable oil); otherwise it can prove to be pretty harmful. 
• If Camphor is used in excess, it acts as a narcotic poison. 
• Avoid use of camphor oil in cases of epilepsy, asthma, or at the time of pregnancy. 
• It is also advisable not to use camphor oil directly to the face or inside the nostrils of asthmatic patients or small children, as this may cause convulsions and asphyxia.