9 Benefits of Camphor Essential Oil and Potential Hazards

Last Updated on July 2, 2018 by Marc Seward

Camphor Essential Oil

Camphor essential oil or Cinnamon Camphora is a powerful oil with a wide range of excellent health benefits. Other names include Laurus camphora, Hon-Sho, and True Camphor. While the essential oil is usually referred to as camphor oil, it is actually only white camphor oil that can be used medicinally.

Brown and yellow camphor oil are not safe for medical purposes. For the purposes of this article when we mention camphor oil, we are referring to white camphor oil.

While this oil has many uses–PLEASE AVOID using on toddlers or pregnant women (see below).

Where does Camphor oil come from?

Camphor essential oil is derived from the camphor trees native to parts of Asia, particularly Japan, China, and Taiwan. These days, the trees are also cultivated in India, Egypt, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

The essential oil was originally only extracted from mature trees which are a minimum of 50 years of age. The oil was extracted by steam distillation from various parts of the trees including the root stumps, branches, flowers, and chipped wood.

Nowadays, camphor essential oil is also extracted from the leaves in an effort to preserve the trees. Taiwan is actually the world’s largest producer of white camphor essential oil and other camphor tree products.

Camphor Essential Oil Aroma

The fragrance of camphor oil is strong and some find it pungent while many others enjoy its clean, menthol-like aroma. It blends very well with other essential oils like rosemary, chamomile, cajeput, lavender, sweet basil and eucalyptus oil.

Some Facts About Camphor Oil

The essential oil of camphor is derived from the camphor tree known botanically as Cinnamomum capmphora. Other names for the plant are Gum camphor, True camphor and Common camphor.
It is steam distilled from the root stumps, chipped wood and branches of the camphor tree.
Camphor essential oil comes in four different grades. White, yellow, blue and brown but only white camphor is used for medicinal and aromatherapy purposes.
The oil has been used for centuries in both traditional Chinese and Indian medicine.
In aromatherapy, camphor is used to relieve congestion and respiratory issues by clearing out the lungs. It is used for colds, bronchitis and even pneumonia. White camphor oil is found as an ingredient in Vick’s Vaporub.
Camphor oil also has a number of other medicinal uses in aromatherapy including pain relief, boosting immunity, easing spasms and improving circulation.
Camphor essential oil can also be used topically . It is used to soothe inflammation, rashes, irritation and muscular pains and aches. It contains antifungal and anti-bacterial properties that can protect against and treat infection.
According to anecdotal evidence, camphor essential oil may also boost the libido.
Camphor oil has an intense, clean scent which works well as insect repellent. It can be used to keep mosquitoes and other nasty invaders at bay and is often used as an ingredient in mothballs.

White Camphor Oil Benefits

The main constituents in camphor oil are alcohol, linalool, pinene, camphene, camphor, borneol, safrole, and terpene.

It possesses various health benefits and properties including decongestant, antispasmodic, anesthetic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. Camphor oil is used as an ingredient in many decongestant balms and soothing cold rubs like tiger balm and Vicks Vaporub.

What is the use of Camphor oil?

Analgesic For Muscle Pain and Spasms

One of the most popular uses of the oil is to relieve pain and stiffness in the muscles. You can massage it into your aching muscles following a heavy workout or a hard day on your feet. Camphor is actually an ingredient in the very popular topical analgesic – Tiger Balm which is widely used to relieve muscle pain and spasms.

Camphor also has excellent antispasmodic properties meaning that it can also help relieve cramps and spasms in the muscles.
Before applying camphor essential oil topically, make sure that you dilute it well with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil.

Decongestant For Improved Respiration

The reason that camphor essential oil is included as an ingredient in so many commercial decongestant remedies is that it can help provide immediate respiratory relief. It helps to relieve any blockages in the respiratory system including the nasal tracts, lungs, pharynx, larynx and bronchial tubes.

Anesthetic For Rheumatism and Arthritis

Applying camphor essential oil to your painful joints can be a blessing if you are one of the millions of people suffering from rheumatism or arthritis. It has excellent anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties which will help relieve the pain and reduce your inflammation. It can also be used for other painful joint complaints like gout.

For Minor Wounds and Burns

Camphor essential oil has excellent antiseptic properties and you can apply it to the skin to relieve minor wounds, grazes, bruises and burns. Make sure that you dilute it well before you apply it and avoid applying it to any open wounds.

For Pain Relief

Camphor essential oil has soothing and cooling properties and acts as an analgesic when applied to the body. When you apply it to the skin, it confers a cooling effect similar to peppermint oil and helps block the pain nerves in the skin. It can help relieve a variety of different pains such as sinusitis, headaches, and neuralgia. Try applying a few drops of diluted camphor oil to your temples to get rid of a stubborn headache.

As a Sedative

If you are feeling anxious, worried or cannot sleep, try using camphor essential oil as a natural alternative to the powerful pharmaceutical options that so many people take. It may not be what you need but some people have found that it gives them a sense of calm and well-being and can also help them get a good night’s sleep.

As an Insect Repellent

White camphor essential oil has a potent aroma that can help repel all those nasty intruders from your home. Whether you are bothered by flies, mosquitoes, silverfish or carpet beetles, camphor oil may just be able to help. In fact, camphor is used the main ingredient in mothballs designed to keep insect away from your clothing.

You can add camphor oil to a spray bottle of water to make your own effective carpet and clothing protection and to keep unwanted critters at bay.

Circulation

Camphor boosts circulation by encouraging blood flow. It is an excellent overall stimulant which can boost the metabolism, blood circulation and digestion. By boosting circulatory health, it can treat many of the issues linked to poor digestion, metabolism and circulation like swelling and pain.

Skin Benefits

Camphor oil can be used on the skin and is sometimes found as an ingredient in commercial acne remedies. Camphor essential oil contains excellent antioxidants which can prevent damage to the skin and reverse some of the signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines. It also has excellent antifungal and antibacterial properties which may keep acne and other skin infections at bay.

Its anti-inflammatory actions can help soothe redness and swelling on the skin while it is also an effective, natural astringent that helps tighten the pores and prevent them from clogging.

Simply add a few drops of camphor oil to a skin friendly carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba and apply it to your skin with a cotton ball or swab.

How to Use Camphor Essential Oil

Like all essential oils, there are a variety of ways to use your camphor oil. Of course, how you use it will depend very much on the condition that you are trying to treat. Here are some of the most popular ways to use the oil.

1) In a Massage Oil

To help relieve muscle pain or treat joint problems stemming from arthritis and rheumatism, you can apply the oil topically. First of all, you must make sure that you dilute it well with a good base oil. Check for sensitivity by applying a small amount to a discrete area of skin and then massage it into the affected areas of your body.

The cooling sensation and pain relief offered by the oil should offer plenty of relief.

2) Warm Camphor Oil bath

Instead of massaging the oil into your body, you could add 5 or 6 drops to your bathwater for an all over body soak.

3) Inhalation

For respiratory problems, you can inhale your camphor oil. The easiest way is to rub a few drops into your hands and cup them over your face. Inhale deeply for a few seconds at a time. Alternatively, you can use a diffuser or vaporizer in the home or next to your bed at night.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is camphor oil good for?

Camphor essential oil has a wide variety of medicinal uses. It is commonly used to treat respiratory disorders like congestion, colds and bronchitis. It also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities that make it an excellent choice for muscle pain and joint problems like arthritis. camphor oil can also stimulate circulation and prevent a host of circulatory problems. You can also apply camphor oil topically to boost its health, prevent blemishes and treat acne.

Is camphor oil safe?

Camphor oil is regarded as safe in aromatherapy but should never be taken internally. Before applying it topically, you should always dilute it well with a carrier oil and it is better to perform a patch test before applying a larger dose.

Pregnant women and children should not use camphor essential oil. There are also potential side effects which we discuss on more detail below.

Is camphor oil good for hair growth?

There is no evidence that camphor oil can stimulate hair growth but some people claim that it has worked for them.

How can we make Camphor Oil at Home?

The simple answer is that you cannot make camphor essential oil at home. Most of the recipes online use synthetic camphor rather than the real thing. Bear in mind that to produce real camphor essential oil is done by a process of steam distillation.

During the distillation process, the 3 fractions (white, brown and yellow) get separated from each other with only the white being used medicinally.

Precautions when Using Camphor Essential Oil

Camphor essential oil is a very strong oil and needs to be used with care to avoid any potentially hazardous effects.
Children should not use camphor oil because of the potential of skin sensitization.
Toddlers / Young Children should not use camphor oil because of potential for serious side effects including seizures and death. (1) (2)
Always dilute it with a carrier oil before you apply it topically. Make sure that you do a patch test even after dilution.
Never apply camphor oil to open wounds.
Pregnant women should not use camphor essential oil.
Asthmatics are advised not to use it.

Potential Side effects

Crude camphor oil extracts like yellow and brown camphor oil are likely toxic to humans. Only the white variety should be used.
Ingestion of camphor oil is dangerous and may result in poisoning.
Signs that you are suffering from camphor toxicity include nausea, vomiting and a burning sensation in the mouth and throat.
Ingesting camphor oil can also result in liver damage and seizures.

Final Thoughts

This is an oil that is extremely useful. It has a number of uses both in aromatherapy and for topical use. Make sure that you use it properly and always dilute before applying it to your skin. It is potentially dangerous for pregnant women and young children especially.

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