Camphor, known scientifically as Cinnamomum Camphor, is a clear white solid with a menthol-like, nose tingling fragrance. Most people associate camphor with vapor rubs, as it’s often used as an ingredient in these products.
Camphor is taken from the bark of the tree Cinnamonun camphora, a native of Japan. It can be used in multiple ways – and we’ll be covering everything you need to know in this video, so stay tuned!
Camphor benefits
1. Can soothe skin conditions
Camphor has antifungal and antibacterial properties that have shown to help in alleviating some skin-related issues like itching and irritation.
One animal study found camphor to be an effective wound-healing agent. This is because it can increase collagen and elastin production. Camphor is also a key anti-wrinkle ingredient in many cosmetic products used today.
2. Can reduce pain
Camphor can be used to reduce pain and swelling. This was proven in a study conducted in Pakistan, which found that a spray consisting of menthol, eucalyptus, clove, and camphor displayed pain-killing and anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Can heal burns
You can use camphor as a treatment for minor burns, and to heal burn scars. In one animal study, it was found that a herbal ointment containing camphor, sesame oil, and honey reduced the healing time of burns.Â
To try this for yourself, you’ll just need to dissolve a small amount of camphor in water and apply it to your burn. You should make sure to do this on a daily basis until the scars disappear.
4. Can treat acne
We all suffer from acne from time to time, and studies have found that camphor has the potential to treat the skin condition. Experts think it can bring down the pain and swelling caused by the inflammation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands.Â
The antibacterial activity of certain bioactive compounds in camphor is effective in acne treatment
5. Can soothe eczema
Acne isn’t the only skin condition camphor can soothe – according to research, it can also be used to relieve eczema and control itching. It’s an especially effective remedy when eczema flares up, and you need to control the inflammation and itching.
6. Can cure nail fungus
Fungus on toenails can be painful and not the prettiest sight, and luckily, there’s a natural remedy to get rid of it: camphor paste. This can help inhibit the growth of fungus.Â
7. Softens cracked heels
We still need more scientific proof on this one, but evidence by camphor users suggests that it can soften cracked heels. Many people swear by camphor for keeping the soles of their feet soft and smooth.Â
Try it out for yourself and soak your feet in a solution of camphor and water, giving them a good scrub. Finish with an application of moisturizer or petroleum jelly.
8. Can relieve skin rashes
We already know that camphor can soothe eczema, so it comes as no surprise that it can relieve skin rashes in general. It contains certain anti-inflammatory compounds that make it particularly good for skin rashes that occur due to heat and perspiration.Â
When you dissolve camphor in water and apply it to skin rashes, your rashes will gradually fade over several days of use.
9. Can treat bacterial and fungal infections
Being a cooling topical ingredient, camphor is often used in skin ointments that are designed to treat a whole range of fungal and bacterial infections. The antifungal and antibacterial properties of camphor have made it a must-use ingredient in the cosmetic industry.
10. Can strengthen the hair and fight hair loss
Again, we’ve not seen a lot of research on this yet, but evidence from camphor users shows that the use of camphor strengthens hair roots. It’s thought that combining egg or yogurt with camphor oil can supply your hair with a wide variety of much-needed nutrients.
Camphor oil can also improve the texture of hair strands and give you smooth and soft hair. Some users even claim that it can reduce hair loss and boost hair growth by stimulating blood circulation at the scalp. We look forward to a more scientific study on the subject.
11. Can kill headlice
Camphor keeps your hair looking at its best, which is helped by its ability to kill headlice. It acts as an excellent cleaning and disinfecting agent, which helps to create an environment on the scalp that headlice can’t survive in.Â
If you’re having a lice problem yourself, just mix camphor oil with coconut oil and apply it to your scalp for immediate effect.
12. Can alleviate aches and pains
Camphor oil, in combination with menthol, can be used for pain relief, especially for back pain. This mixture also eases muscle tension with the help of its anti-inflammatory properties.Â
Simply massaging your painful muscles with camphor oil will increase the blood flow in that area and ultimately reduce the pain and stiffness.
13. Can treat arthritis
If your aches and pains are a cause of a chronic condition, you’ll be interested in this health benefit in particular. An animal study in China found that the anti-inflammatory effect of camphor may help in treating arthritis.Â
We still need to conduct more studies into how this may translate when used on humans, but the evidence so far looks promising.
14. Can treat muscle spasms
The antispasmodic properties of camphor have been found in studies to calm nerves and treat muscle spasms. Camphor oil’s vapours are believed to promote a sense of calm by reducing stress.Â
When you massage your skin with this oil, you should experience some relief from spasms.
15. Can promote sleep
Camphor oil is incredibly aromatic, and many of its users have cited its ability to help them drop off into a deep sleep at night. It’s thought that camphor can help relax the body and mind and induce sleep as it contains P-cymene, which has been found to have a sleep-enhancing effect in animal studies.
16. Can treat cold and cough
Experts have found that camphor is very effective against the common cold and chesty coughs. Unsurprisingly, camphor has been used for years as an active ingredient in many decongestants and vaporubs.Â
You can use camphor to treat cough and congestion in a number of ways, including inhaling it, rubbing it on your skin, and using it as steam vaporization. Dissolving camphor in hot water for ten minutes and inhaling its steam is particularly good for clearing your sinuses. It can even soothe throat irritation and treat some lung conditions, like bronchitis.
17. Can promote weight loss
Camphor tree seed kernel oil is specifically thought to help in reducing body fat. An animal study conducted found that using this oil can effectively reduce body weight and fat deposition. Why exactly this is, scientists still aren’t sure. More research is needed to fully understand camphor tree seed kernel oil’s role in weight loss, and whether it is as effective in humans.
18. Can promote blood circulation
Abnormal blood flow in your body leads to many health problems, but inhaling camphor might help to correct the issue. We mentioned already that camphor can improve blood circulation in the scalp, but it can actually improve the flow of blood all over the body.Â
This can alleviate the symptoms of conditions like gout and arthritis.
19. Additional benefits
It’s worth keeping in mind that research on the benefits of camphor so far is limited. There are so many other claimed benefits of camphor, including its ability to treat warts, low libido, cold sores, earaches, bloating, anxiety and depression, and haemorrhoids.Â
Just because scientists haven’t researched all the benefits of camphor so far, it doesn’t mean that they don’t exist.
How To Use Camphor
Now that we know a bit about Camphor’s benefits, let’s look at how we can use it as a treatment.
1. Camphor as a liniment
To get instant relief from pain, you can make your own pain-relief spray at home using camphor. You’ll just need 2 drops of camphor essential oil, 1 ounce of pure grain alcohol, and an empty, clean glass spray bottle.
First, mix the alcohol and camphor essential oil in a small bowl. Then pour the solution into your glass spray bottle and spray it directly onto sore muscles and sprains to relieve the pain.
2. Camphor as a chest rub
If you’ve run out of your stock of Vicks, you can make your own vaporub at home using camphor. Gather together 1 ounce of olive oil, some 2-inch cubes of beeswax, and 3 to 5 drops of camphor essential oil, along with a glass jar.
Start by heating up the olive oil in a pan and adding beeswax to it, then stir until the wax melts. Finally, add the camphor essential oil and mix thoroughly. Then pour the mixture into a jar and let it cool – it’s as simple as that. Store the mixture at room temperature and use it when you need it. It’ll last up to a year in an airtight bottle.
3. Camphor as a bath soak
I’m sure we’ll all agreed that there’s nothing more relaxing than a long soak in the bath. But using regular soap isn’t going to cut it if you want to soothe your tired muscles.Â
Instead, opt for 2 to 3 drops of camphor essential oil to enhances blood circulation and give your muscles the soothing treatment they need. If you’re dealing with a cold or flu, a camphor oil bath will also help you to get rid of uncomfortable congestion.
4. More uses of camphor
You can also add a touch of camphor to your regular cold creams and antiseptics, or use it as an insecticide to ward off pesky mosquitos and other nuisances.
Camphor’s side effects
Camphor is generally safe when you use it in the recommended amounts. It’s important to know your dosing, as even a slight overdose of camphor, whether by inhalation or application on the skin, can cause some side effects like poisoning, vomiting, and a drop in body temperature.
Remember to store camphor products away from your little ones, as it can cause more serious health effects if taken in excess by a child. Always talk to your doctor if you’re uncertain about using camphor as a natural remedy.
Conclusion
So there you have it – 19 benefits and four uses of a product you probably knew very little about until now! The easiest way to purchase camphor is as an essential oil, though you can also buy natural blocks or granules of camphor online. It’s not too expensive, so if you’ve never tried it before, it’s worth giving it a go. You’ll probably enjoy using it so much that it becomes a staple in your bathroom cupboard.
- Natural Camphor Balls: Enjoy our natural camphor balls, also known as alcanfor tablets, bhimseni camphor, and blue anil and camphor. These alcanfor en bolitas are perfect for aromatherapy and odor elimination.
- Camphor Blocks Pure: Experience the purity of our camphor blocks pure, also known as alcanfor en bloques and pure camphor. These natural camphor blocks are perfect for creating a tranquil environment in your home or office.
- Quality Camphor Cubes: Each pack contains 12 camphor tablets, also referred to as pastillas de alcanfor original. These camphor blocks provide a soothing scent and are perfect for a variety of uses.
- Multipurpose Alcanfor Tablets: Our pastillas de alcanfor, also known as alcanfor en tabletas, camphor blocks, camphor tablets, and alcanfor puro, are versatile. Use them for puja rituals, as kapoor for pooja, or simply to refresh your surroundings.
- 1 Block of Deer Camphor = 4 Tablets 1 ounce weight.
- Helps Prevent Tools & Silverware from Rusting.
- No residue, authentic refined synthetic camphor blocks.
- Multi-Use Product. Guarantee Purity. Made in India.
- 100% PURE & NATURAL SIVA CAMPHOR ESSENTIAL OIL- It is obtained by steam distillation extraction method of Cinnamomum camphora. It is 100% Pure, Natural & authentic essential oil.
- ONLY ONE INGREDIENT- No Additives, Alcohol-Free, No Added-Fragrance and Undiluted. It is completely free from any other ingredient or formulation. It is 100% Pure, Natural, Undiluted, Vegan and Cruelty free product.
- DIFFUSER & AROMATHERAPY- SIVA Camphor Oil has sharp, camphoraceous and woody aroma. It has been used profusely in diffusers to uplift and enhance the ambience. It is one of the most suitable oils for aromatherapy and helps improve overall well-being. It has an appealing aroma that boosts relaxation and calmness.
- SKIN CARE- SIVA Camphor oil promotes rejuvenated and revitalized skin. It helps to soothe the skin and promote radiant appearance. It is a great addition to your everyday creams, lotions and all kinds of skin care regimes. Always dilute it with carrier oils before any kind of topical application.
- Box Includes 16 Packets X 4 Tablets = 64 Tablets (200 Grams Total)
- Box includes 16 packets x 4 tablets = 64 tablets (200 grams total)
