Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) is a large, hardy evergreen tree that grows very tall; its strong connection to the earth gives it the capacity to energize the base chakra, stimulating the body’s vital energy. Ancients believed camphor gave life to the body after death; hence, it used to form an important ingredient of embalming. Camphor’s red energy gives motivation and reduces depression, and provides a feeling of strength and determination.
The word camphor is derived from the French word camphre; it was known in Latin as camfora and called kafur in Arabic. In Malay, camphor was called “kapur Barus,” referring to the port of Barus on the western coast of the Indonesian island, Sumatra, where foreign traders would call to buy camphor. In the Indian language Sanskrit, the word for camphor is karpoor. A South-Indian adaptation of this word, karpooram, is found in many South-Indian Languages.
Camphor trees are native to China, Taiwan and Japan; they are also grown now in Sri Lanka and California. In Japan, the camphor tree grows at temperature 13°C, altitudes below 800 meters. In Taiwan, the tree is found at altitudes between 500 to 1,200 meters, and in China it occurs at altitudes between 600 to 1,000 meters. The Chinese variety contains less camphor compared to other two.
These trees are usually planted by seed. Propagation can also be achieved by root cutting or branch cutting, but planting by seed is preferred. After three to four weeks in the nursery beds, the seeds start to sprout. One year later, fresh and vigorous plants are selected and transplanted to more spacious beds, where they are grown for one more year and attain a height of 80 cms. The two-year-old plants are taken to the field between March and April. After 20 years, trees are thinned out to facilitate growth.
Plants are generally cut for distillation after at least 20 years, as the yield of the oil increases with the age of the plant. When preparing for oil distillation, first the tree is removed from the soil. The roots, stump, trunk and branches are cut to convenient sizes and transported to the distillation field. Here, it is further sawed down and steam distilled. Root distillation requires 15 hours, while trunk distillation requires eight to ten hours of distillation.
Distilled material contains solid camphor and oil. Camphor is separated by filter pressing. The oil is rectified under vacuum, yielding another 50 percent of crude camphor and remaining 50 percent oil free from camphor. This oil is rich in light terpenes, cineol, safrol, terpineol and sesquiterpenes. These materials are separated in various fractions. White camphor oil is the light fraction, containing monoterpenes and cineol. Brown camphor oil is the medium heavy fraction, containing about 80 percent safrol and some terpineol. And blue camphor oil is the heavy fraction, containing sesqueterpenes.
A great quantity of camphor oil is produced—in the upper 10 of all essential oils; but, their use in perfume and flavor is limited. There are three varieties of camphor oil, all made from the same tree, but differentiated by the place where it is grown and distilled.
- Formosan camphor oil is camphor linalool and camphor safrol type
- Japanese camphor oil is camphor safrol type
- Chinese camphor oil is cineol terpineol camphor type
Camphor is widely used in medicine and pharmacy, especially for drugs targeting flu, bronchitis and lung issues. It is also used to some extent in helping to reduce muscular pain. In aromatherapy, camphor is known as a balancing oil, useful in sedating as well as uplifting. It is used in burners and vaporizers and in compresses.
It is also useful in perfumery applications. In the 9th century, the Arab chemist, Ai-Kindi (known as Alkindus in Europe), demonstrated the earliest recipe for the production of camphor in his “Kitab Kimiya’ al-’Itr,” which means “Book of the Chemistry of Perfume.” In creative perfumery, camphor provides a good camphoracious lift to perfume. It blends well with basil, lavender and cajeput.
There are certain contraindications for the use of camphor oil. It is a powerful oil and should be used with care. Overdosing can cause convulsions and vomiting. Pregnant women or persons suffering from epilepsy and asthma should not use it. Since this oil can be highly toxic, it should never be used in aromatherapy massage
Dr. Geetanjali Ranade holds a doctorate in biomedical engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. She was visiting scientist at National Cardiovascular Canter, Japan for post-doctoral research in brain physiology. She has completed her aromatherapy course from Australasian College of Herbal Studies, and is a registered medical practitioner from Indian Board of Alternative Medicine. At present she is working at Goldfield Fragrances Pvt Ltd, India. Contact the author at geetanjaliranade@hotmail.com.
/EM>