White Camphor Essential Oil

Cinnamomum camphora

Family: Lauraceae plant or camphor tree is native to Asia, China, Taiwan, and Japan. The trees are abundantly grown in India and Sri Lanka, and also can be found in Florida.

The reason “why” I added White camphor into my blend was because of its ability to destroy bacteria, and fungi. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, as well.

Safety data on White camphor oil stated non-toxic, non-irritant, and non-sensitizing from the Essential Oils Aromatherapy encyclopedia when used accordingly. It is the yellow, brown, and blue camphor that can be very toxic.

Camphor is a terpenoid, waxy white color. At room temperature has a strong aromatic odor. Melts at 170 °Celsius or 338 °Fahrenheit. Insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol. Chemical formula C10H16O. (Molecules, Chen et al., 2015, vol 18, 5434-5454)

Eighty percent of the people in developing countries use traditional medicines such as essential oils for primary care (Singh & Jawaid, Pharmacognosy Journal, vol 4(28), 2012). Used as a fumigant in the Black Death.

Each oil consists of many active constituents. This is the chemical makeup, close to 200 compounds that are unique to just that plant, tree, or shrub. Various parts of that plant (stem, leaves, bark, resin, flowers) are used in making oil and can contain different active constituents designed by nature for protection and growth. The location in the world where the plant is grown affects its therapeutic nature as well. The mixture of the chemistry of the plant gives it the aroma. Like a rose is a rose. There are several ways to extract the oil but mostly the oil is produced by steam distillation. up to 260 F., This is known as the best method without harming active ingredients.

White camphor oil comes from the wood and bark of this evergreen. The leaves and twigs are being used more today and yield different compounds containing linalool. Important compounds found in Camphor are camphor, linalool, camphene, dipentgene, terpineol, safrole, and cineole. Some trees can grow to be 1000 years old. The tree will be at least 50 years old before harvest and can grow to 100 feet. White camphor oil is a terpene commonly used in lotions and creams. According to Plant Therapy, White Camphor oil is good up to 113 F.

The top four main constituents are 1.8 cineole, limonene, alpha-pinene, and sabinene.

• 8 Cineola is a bronchodilator, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, relieves coughs, and reduces mucus. (35.9% in pure oil)
  • Limonene is known to prevent or slow down cancer growth (12.6 % in pure oil)
  • Alpha-pinene helps with cognition (thought process), is anti-inflammatory, and bronchodilator (12.3% in pure oil)
  • Sabinene is invigorating, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antiseptic. (11.4% in pure oil)

List of the many benefits of White Camphor

• Insect repellent – Repels insects naturally
• Decongestant– Eases blocked chest
• Antispasmodic– Relieves muscle spasms
• Anesthetic– Pain reliever and helps treat numbness
• Anti-inflammatory– Fights pain, swelling, redness, pain, high temperature
• Sedative– Relaxes and helps you sleep
• Antiseptic– Prevents infections
• Antipruritic– Prevents the formation of pus
• Rubefacient– Helps you relieve pain by dilating your blood vessels
• Contraceptive– Prevents pregnancy
• Expectorant– Helps you to spit out sputum
• Nasal decongestant– Helps relieve congestion or blocked nose
• Cough suppressant– Prevents cough
• Antirheumatic– Prevents rheumatism
• Anticancer– Fights cancer
• Antimutagenic– Prevents the cancer cells from spreading
• Insecticidal– Kills harmful insects
• Antimicrobial– Fights harmful organisms such as bacteria
• Antifungal– Effective against fungi

More added benefits are:

• Cooling and penetrating scent
• Nullifies apathy (lack of interest)
• Eases skin diseases
• Fights fungal infections
• Relieves muscle stiffness or cramps
• Soothes your nerves

White Camphor oil research articles

•  Anti-viral research with camphor compound camphecene showed anti-hemagglutinin (natural antibody) activity against influenza viruses A and B with low cytotoxicity. The influenza virus has high resistance to medicines. (Science Direct, Antiviral Research Journal, Zarubaev, et al., 2015, vol 120,126-133).
• Many essential oils can regulate the quorum sensing (QS) system of pathogens and inhibit viral expression. QS is a communication system in bacteria that help them to reproduce and secrete certain molecules. Bacteria replicate fast and have acquired resistance to medicines. Chromobacterium violaceus (C. violaceium) bacteria are found in soil and water in tropical and subtropical regions all over the world. The compounds of camphor were found to decrease the production and biofilm of this bacteria, as well as downregulate the QS system. (Molecules Journal, Wand, et al., 2019, 24, 3792)
• Chemical insecticides are harmful to humans as well as upset the eco-balance, pollution, and development of resistance. Camphor compounds were found to kill the larvae of mosquitos that cause malaria. (Journal of Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine, Xu et al., 2019, Vol 53, e20190211).
• Cephalopinatitillator (c. titillator) is a common worldwide nasal bot fly larval infestation of camels, which belongs to the family Oestridae. Nasopharyngeal myiasis is an important high-incidence disease among camels in the Middle East and North Africa that results in severe economic losses in many camel breeding areas around the world. Cinnamon, ginger, and camphor essential oils were tested against botflies and infections. Camphor showed the highest rate of insecticide in killing larvae. (Journal of Parasitic Diseases, Abu El Ezz et al., 2018, vol 42(2), p. 196-203).
•  Blowfly population control is important in the infestation of sheep known as the common green bottle fly that devours carcasses. Camphor and lavender essential oils were tested and Lavender was found more effective as a larvicide. (Journal of Parasite Diseases, Shalaby et al., 2016, vol 44(4), 1475-1482)
• The red fire ant, Solenopsis Invicta Buren, causes severe damage to humans and animals. Camphor oil was proven effective against red fire ant workers in fumigation and repellence. (Journal of Insect Science, Fu et al., 2015, vol 15, p.1-6)

Ayurvedic tradition states white camphor increases prana (universal energy [breath]), opens senses, brings clarity, and awakens perception. Used for thousands of years for bronchitis, insomnia, asthma, whooping cough, epilepsy, sinus headaches, and nasal, and pulmonary congestion.  Used in sacred ceremonies in India, Indian prayers, and Hindu celebrations, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans for incense, flavoring, and embalming, and also used for the plague in Iran and Persia.

To Your Health & Happiness,

Dr. Margie

Immune8.com