Camphor

Cinnamomum camphora

The camphor trees Hon-Sho and Ho-Sho belong to the Lauraceae family and the camphor is a solid substance which, together with the essential oil, is present in the wood of both trees, which grow naturally in China and Japan, and are cultivated in Sri Lanka and California. Camphor is mostly used in the production of celluloid.

Camphor from the Hon-sho tree is a fractionated oil, therefore not complete. Camphor oil from the Ho-Sho is complete -the camphor content does not crystallize -this essential oil is not easy to obtain.

The top fraction of the Hon-sho oil, the one normally sold for aromatherapy, contains a lot of camphor (a ketone) and needs to be used carefully.

General properties

• analgesic
• antispasmodic
• balancing
• sedative
• stimulant
• warming

Blends well with

• clary-sage
• cypress
• frankincense
• sandalwood

General uses

• heart tonic
• hypotension
• low body temperature
• poor circulation
• vasoconstrictor
• cholera
• colic
• constipation
• diarrhea
• flatulence
• gallstones
• gastroenteritis
• digestion
• vomiting
• worms
• anxiety
• depression
• hysteria
• insomnia
• irritability
• panic
• chronic fatigue
• shock
• stress
• fluid retention
• toothache
• arthritis
• fibrositis
• gout
• rheumatism
• rheumatoid arthritis
• sprains
• asthma
• bronchitis
• colds and flu
• coughs
• pneumonia
• tuberculosis
• acne
• bruises
• burns
• chilblains
• fevers
• inflamed skin
• ulcers
• lice
• oily skin
• wounds

Caution

Only to be used for acute conditions because it is highly toxic, especially for those who are asthmatic or allergy prone. Do not use during pregnancy.