Essential Oil - Camphor
Essential Oil – Camphor
Botanical Information
Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) belongs to the Lauraceae family. It is also known as Laurus camphora, true camphor, hon-sho, laurel camphor, gum camphor, Japanese camphor, and Formosa camphor. It is a tall, evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 metres in height. The tree has many branches bearing clusters of small white flowers followed by red berries. Mature trees over 50 years old produce a white crystalline substance known as crude camphor, which is obtained from the wood.
Habitat and Cultivation
Camphor is native to Japan, Taiwan, and China. It is also widely cultivated in India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Egypt, Madagascar, Southern Europe, and America.
Related Species
Several species and chemotypes of camphor exist. The ho-sho variety produces ho leaf and ho wood oil, while the Chinese variety produces apopin oil. The Japanese and Taiwanese hon-sho (true camphor) varieties produce two chemotypes: camphor–safrol (Japan) and camphor–linalool (Taiwan). These should not be confused with Borneo camphor (borneol), which comes from a different botanical source.
Traditional Uses
Historically, camphor was widely used as a traditional remedy and was believed to help prevent infectious diseases. Pieces of crude camphor were often worn around the neck as protection against illness. It was also traditionally used to treat nervous disorders, respiratory diseases, and even heart failure. However, crude camphor is highly poisonous in large doses and has since been removed from the British Pharmacopoeia.
Traditional Therapeutic Actions
Camphor has traditionally been described as anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, counter-irritant, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, rubefacient, and vermifuge.
Extraction Method
Crude camphor is collected naturally as crystalline deposits from mature trees. The essential oil is produced by steam distillation of the wood, root stumps, and branches. The oil is then vacuum-rectified and filter-pressed to produce three fractions: white camphor, brown camphor, and yellow camphor.
Aroma and Characteristics
White camphor is the lightest (lowest boiling) fraction and appears as a colourless to pale yellow liquid with a sharp, penetrating camphoraceous aroma. Brown camphor is the middle fraction, while yellow camphor is the heaviest fraction and appears as a blue-green or yellowish liquid.
Major Chemical Constituents
The composition varies according to the fraction. White camphor contains mainly cineole, together with pinene, terpineol, menthol, and thymol, and contains no safrol. Brown camphor contains up to 80% safrol along with some terpineol, while yellow camphor consists mainly of safrol, sesquiterpenes, and sesquiterpene alcohols.
Safety Profile
Brown and yellow camphor contain high levels of safrol, making them toxic and potentially carcinogenic. These fractions should not be used internally or externally for therapeutic purposes. White camphor is comparatively safer because it does not contain safrol. It is generally regarded as non-toxic, non-sensitising, and non-irritating when used appropriately. However, it is considered an environmental hazard and marine pollutant, so it should be used responsibly.
Aromatherapy and Home Uses
Only white camphor is recommended for aromatherapy and should be used with care. It may help support skin care, including acne, oily skin, inflammation, spots, and insect prevention against flies and moths. For the musculoskeletal system, it has traditionally been used for arthritis, muscular aches, rheumatism, and sprains. It is also used to support the respiratory system, helping relieve bronchitis, chills, and coughs, while promoting the immune system during colds, influenza, fever, and other infectious illnesses.
Other Uses
White and brown camphor are widely used as raw materials in the manufacture of various perfumery chemicals, including safrol and cineole. White camphor is also used as a solvent in the paint and lacquer industries and in the production of celluloid. Fractions of white camphor oil are commonly used as fragrance and masking agents in detergents, soaps, disinfectants, and a wide range of household products.
