Health Benefits of Camphor Essential Oil
The health benefits of Camphor Essential Oil include it properties like stimulant, anti spasmodic, anti septic, decongestant, anesthetic, sedative and nervous pacifier, anti neuralgic, anti inflammatory, disinfectant, insecticide, etc.
Essential Oil of Camphor is obtained during process of extraction of Camphor, from two types of Camphor Trees. The first one is Common Camphor tree, bearing scientific name Cinnamonum Camphora, from which the common camphor is obtained, and the second one is Borneo Camphor tree, which gives Borneo Camphor and is scientifically known as Dryobalanops Camphora. The Camphor Oil obtained from both have similar properties, but differs slightly in aroma and in the concentration of various compounds found in them.
The various components of Camphor Oil are Alcohol, Borneol, Pinene, Camphene, Camphor, Terpene and Safrol. Camphor Oil, apart from having a cool, penetrating and lasting aroma, has many medicinal properties too, which are listed below.
Stimulant & Diaphoretic: Camphor Oil is an effective stimulant. It stimulates circulation, metabolism, digestion, secretions and excretion, thereby treating problems and ailments associated with improper circulation, digestion, sluggish or hyper metabolic rates, obstructed secretions etc.
Anti Septic, Disinfectant and Insecticide & Germicide: Camphor Oil is an excellent disinfectant, insecticide and germicide. Camphor Oil can be added to drinking water, particularly in summer and rainy seasons when there is more chance of water getting infected, to disinfect it. A bottle or container of Camphor Oil, if kept open, or a piece of cloth soaked in it, if burnt, drives away insects and kills germs. A drop or two of Camphor Oil, mixed with large quantity of food grains, keep it safe from insects. Camphor is also used in many medical preparations such as ointments and lotion to cure skin diseases, bacterial and fungal infections on skin etc. Mixed in bathing water, it disinfects the whole body externally and kills lice etc.
Decongestant: The strong penetrating aroma of Camphor Oil is a powerful decongestant. It immediately opens up congestions of bronchi, larynx, pharynx, nasal tracts and lungs. It is therefore used in many decongestant balms and cold rubs.
Anesthetic & Nervous Pacifier: It is a pretty good anesthetic and very effective for local anesthesia. It causes numbness of the sensory nerves and the related area of application. It also calms down nervous disorders and convulsions, epileptic attacks, nervousness etc.
Anti Spasmodic: It is very efficient Anti Spasmodic and gives immediate relief in spasms, cramps etc. It is also effective in curing extreme spasmodic cholera.
Aphrodisiac: Camphor Oil, when internally consumed, boosts libido by stimulating those portions of brain which are responsible for sexual desires and libido. When externally applied, helps cure erectile problems by increasing blood circulation in the affected parts, being a stimulant.
• Anti Neuralgic: Neuralgia, a severely painful situation, which is caused when the Ninth Cranial Nerve is pressurized due to swelling of the surrounding blood vessels, can be treated using Camphor Oil which makes the blood vessels to contract and reduce pressure on the Ninth Cranial Nerve. This is yet another application of the sedative property of the Camphor Oil.
Anti Inflammatory & Sedative: The cooling and the penetrating effects of Camphor Oil make it an anti inflammatory and sedative agent. It is very helpful in curing nearly all types of inflammation, internal or external. It also relaxes body and mind and gives a feeling of peace and freshness. It proves to be very cooling and refreshing, particularly in summer. Camphor Oil can be mixed with bathing water to have that extra cooling in summer.
Narcotic: It has narcotic effects as it temporarily desensitizes the nerves and relaxes brain. It can also make brain lose control over limbs if taken in excess. The smell of Camphor Oil is also addictive. People have been seen to develop strong addiction of smelling Camphor Oil or consuming it.
Carminative: Very helpful in giving relief in gas trouble. Primarily, it does not let gas form and secondarily, effectively removes the gases.
Anti Rheumatic, Anti Arthritic & Anti Phlogistic: Being a detoxifier and stimulant for circulatory system, it excites blood circulation and gives relief in rheumatism, arthritis, gout etc. It is also anti Phlogistic, that is, reduces swelling of body parts. This is yet another beneficial effect of proper circulation.
Other Benefits: Sometimes used in cases of Cardiac Failure, in combination with other medicines. It is also beneficial in treatment of Hysteria, viral diseases like whooping cough, measles, flu etc. food poisoning, infections of the reproductive organs, insect bites etc.
Few Words of Caution: Camphor Oil is toxic and can be fatally poisonous if ingested in excess. Even 2 grams can be lethal. Ingestion in slight overdoses can show symptoms of poisoning such as extreme thirst, vomiting, loss in body temperature etc. It should be remembered that the substance which is toxic for insects can be toxic for human beings too.
Blending: Camphor Oil’s blend-partners are Basil, Cajuput, Camomile, Melissa and Lavender Oil.
