On Camphor

Other Name(s):

Alcanfor, Camphora, Camphre, Camphre de Laurier, Camphre Gomme, Camphrier, Cemphire, dl-Camphor, dl-Camphre, Formosa Camphor, Gum Camphor, Kampfer, Karpoora, Karpuram, Laurel Camphor, Spirit of Camphor, 2-Bornanone, 2-Camphanone, 1,7,7-Trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one.

?IUPAC name:? 1,7,7-Trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one

CAS Number: 76-22-2?

???????????????? 464-49-3 (R)?

?????????????????????? 464-48-2 (S)?

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Molecular Formula:? C10H16O

Camphor used to be made by distilling the bark and wood of the camphor tree. Today, camphor is usually manufactured from turpentine oil. It is used in products such as Vicks VapoRub. People apply camphor to the?skin?to relieve pain and reduce?itching. It is also applied to the?skin?on the neck and chest so that it can be breathed in to reduce the urge to?cough. It is also used for other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support other uses of camphor. Oral camphor is unsafe. It is also important not to apply camphor to broken?skin, because it can enter the body quickly and reach concentrations that are high enough to cause poisoning.

Camphor, scientifically known as Cinnamomum Camphor, is a combustible, translucent white solid which has a piquant smell and sour?taste, though some people quite like its menthol-like, nose tingling fragrance. Camphor is obtained from the bark of the tree Cinnamonun camphora. Only 50-years old trees produce a waxy substance which is used as camphor oil. The process of steam distillation is used to extract camphor oil from the stems of the tree. The camphor tree is said to be a native of Hiroshima, Japan. It is evergreen and now grows all over Asia, primarily in Indonesia. The Indonesian variety is named Dryobalanops camphora. Camphor can be used in multiple ways. It is considered as an important ingredient in vapor rubs, balms and liniments as the?oil?is said to allay pain and reduce?itching. It also helps in keeping cockroaches, moths and other insects at bay from our wardrobe. Camphor is used in religious ceremonies too. Besides, it is beneficial for the skin and?hair. Here are some skin, hair and?health?benefits of camphor:

1. Relieves Pain and Swelling On the skin it acts as a counter irritant and is therefore used topically to relieve pain and?swelling. It causes numbness of sensory nerve endings of skin, thereby reliving pain and inflammation, and preventing skin redness.

2.Alleviates Skin Rashes Another skin problem faced by many people is rashes that cause redness. Camphor can help in getting rid of rashes and redness when used as topical itch relieving gels. How to use: Just dissolve the camphor oil in water and apply it on the affected area for a few days.

3. Treatment of Nail Fungus Nail fungus or onychomycosis may require treatment by oral anti-fungal, but topical preparations like Vaporub containing camphor oil can be added for faster clearing of the fungus. However, it is effective against onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida parapsilosis, which are species of fungi.

4. Used to Treat Eczema Camphor can be used to treat irritated symptoms of eczema in kids and adults. Camphor helps in relieving the pain and inflammation, which is a symptom of eczema. Camphor is also found in many lotions and ointment treatments of eczema.

5. Helps Induce Sleep Fragrance of camphor oil has a calming effect on the?mind?and brings a good night’s sleep. How to use: Few drops of the oil can be rubbed on the pillow to induce sleep.

6. Treats Cold and Cough Camphor helps in treating?cold?and cough and relieves throat congestion. Camphor oil is an ingredient of many vaporub and decongestants. How to use: Rub some on your chest and back and let it work its magic.

7. Promotes Hair Growth Less hair on the scalp is a nightmare. This could result due to a number of factors, such as improper hair care routine and spending lots and lots of money on chemical loaded hair care products. So, here’s a solution to the problem - use camphor oil. Application of camphor oil on the hair makes it soft and boosts hair growth. How to use: Mix camphor oil to your regular oil and apply it on the scalp. This will stimulate blood flow to the applied area and promote hair growth. ??

8. Home Remedy for Head Lice Camphor oil mixed in bathing water is used for the treatment of Pediculosis capitis or head lice. How to use: Mix powdered camphor tablet in coconut oil and apply it evenly on scalp and hair before going to bed. Wash your hair with shampoo and say goodbye to lice. This is because camphor powder suffocates the lice and hence kills them.

How does it work ?

Camphor seems to stimulate nerve endings that relieve symptoms such as pain and itching when applied to the skin. Camphor is also active against fungi that cause infections in the?toenails.

Also, Likely Effective for

• Cough. Camphor is FDA-approved as a chest rub in concentrations less than 11%.
• Acute pain. Camphor is FDA-approved for use on the?skin?as a painkiller in concentrations of 3% to 11%. It is used in many rub-on products to reduce pain related to?cold sores,?insect stings?and bites, minor burns, and?hemorrhoids.
• Itching. Camphor is FDA-approved for use on the skin to help itching or irritation in concentrations of 3% to 11%.

Insufficient Evidence for

• Insect bite. Early research shows that applying camphor along with menthol and eucalyptus oil might help reduce the size of?mosquito bites.
• Acne.
• Low blood pressure?that occurs upon standing (orthostatic hypotension).
• Osteoarthritis.
• Toenail fungus?(onychomycosis).
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of camphor for these uses. When taken by mouth: Camphor is?UNSAFE. Ingesting camphor can cause severe side effects, including death. When applied to the skin: Camphor is?POSSIBLY SAFE?for most adults when applied to the skin in a cream or lotion in low concentrations. Camphor can cause some minor side effects such as skin redness and irritation. Do not use undiluted camphor products or products containing more than 11% camphor. These can be irritating and unsafe. Camphor-containing products are?LIKELY UNSAFE?when applied to broken or injured skin. Camphor is easily absorbed through broken skin and can reach toxic levels in the body. When inhaled: Camphor is?POSSIBLY SAFE?for most adults when inhaled as the vapor from rubs applied to the chest. Camphor is?LIKELY UNSAFE?when inhaled in large amounts. Inhaling large amounts of camphor can cause toxic effects. Do not heat camphor-containing products (Vicks VapoRub,?BenGay, Heet, many others) in the microwave. The products can explode and cause severe burns.

Precaution and warnings:

Pregnancy?and?breast-feeding: Taking camphor by?mouth?is?UNSAFE?during pregnancy or breast-feeding. There isn't enough reliable information to know if applying camphor to the skin is safe when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Children: Camphor is?POSSIBLY UNSAFE?in children when applied to the skin. Children tend to be more sensitive to the side effects. Doctors recommend that camphor products are not used on the skin in children. Camphor is?UNSAFE?in children when taken by mouth.?Seizures?and death can occur if these products are eaten. Keep camphor-containing products away from children. Liver disease: Taking camphor by mouth or applying it to the skin has been linked to?liver?damage. In theory, using camphor might make liver disease worse.

Dosing:

The following doses have been studied in scientific research: APPLIED TO THE SKIN:

• For cough: A layer of 4.7% to 5.3% camphor ointment is applied to the throat and chest. The area may be covered with a warm, dry cloth or left uncovered.
• For itching: A 3% to 11% ointment is typically used three to four times daily.
• For acute pain: A 3% to 11% ointment is typically used three to four times daily.

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