Camphor Tree

Camphor tree is an evergreen, growing slowly to reach up to 15 m in height. It blooms between March and June with white or yellow-white hermaphrodite blossoms and fruits in the shape of small strawberries of red-purple colour.

It originated in China, India, Mongolia, Japan, and Taiwan. The tree is known for its persistence for enduring whatever man may throw its way. It lived through the atom bombing in Hiroshima, recovered and became a symbol of hope, recuperation and inspiration for people trying to rebuild their lives. In 1973 the inhabitants of Hiroshima voted it the tree of the city.

The tree has always been cultivated for its essential oil, which can be found in all its parts and has a uniquely distinct smell. It had an important role in the cuisine of that time (for example to add extra flavour to ice cream), and it was used in folk medicine.

Camphor is a waxy white crystalline substance with an intensive smell and sharp taste, originating from the wood of the camphor tree. It is produced by steam distillation, cleaning and sublimation of the wood, branches and bark of the camphor tree. It contains cineol, linalool, eugenol, limonene, safrole, bisabolol, pinene, and other. It is easily absorbed by the skin, and can also be injected, inhaled, or consumed.

Camphor is a natural product with numerous applications in the traditional and modern medicine. In the Orient it used to be intensively used for healing hysteria, as a snake and reptile repellent. Because it is poisonous to them, also as an insect repellent. Additionally, it was used as a cooling substance to soothe chest congestion symptoms and for healing diseases in connection with infections, such as rheumatism, sprains, bronchitis, asthma, muscle pains.

When applied, it offers the skin a cooling effect by stimulating nerve endings, sensitive to the cold. It gives you a warm sensation, activates and desensitizes sensory nerves to ease the pain, itchiness and irritation of the affected area.

In Ayurvedic medicine it is used as a tree extract. The latter is very effective in soothing cramps and respiratory diseases, removing unpleasant odour and improving taste in the mouth, stimulating the heart, and improving blood circulation – by first widening the arteries and then constricting them. It plays a crucial role in the respiratory system for it helps coughing up excess mucus and improving the health of the larynx. It increases urine and sweat secretion, lowers body temperature, can be used as an aphrodisiac, but is mainly useful as an antifungal agent, fighting skin infections.

In contemporary medicine, it is most commonly used as an essential oil, while internal use is not recommended. The wood and leaves represent an effective analgesic or stimulant, while its infusion can be inhaled to heal colds and lung diseases. The essential oil is used against parasites, cramps, rheumatism, as a cardiotonic or a relaxant. It functions as a mild anaesthetic and antibiotic and can be used to heal joint and muscle pains, digestive problems, depression, arrhythmia, skin diseases, herpes and as balsam for chapped lips or an inhalant in bronchial congestion.

It rejuvenates the skin and stimulates the growth of young, new cells, regenerates the epidermis and removes wrinkles. It is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent and, therefore, an excellent ally in battling infections, reducing acne and other skin rashes. It soothes irritated and tired skin, improves its tone and eliminates redness, leaving the skin silky smooth.

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