Cinnamomum camphora (Linn.) Nees & Eberm.

Family : Lauraceae.

Habitat A tree native to China and Japan and often grown as a hedge plant.

English Camphor tree.

Ayurvedic Karpura, Ghanasaara, Chandra, Chandra Prabhaa, Sitaabhra, Hima-valukaa, Himopala, Himakara, Shashi, Indu, Tushaara, Gandhadravya, Shital raja.

Unani Kaafoor.

Siddha/Tamil Indu, Karupporam.

 

 

Action Camphor taken internally in small doses (toxic in large doses) acts as a carminative, reflex expectorant and reflex stimulant of heart and circulation as well as respiration. Also used as a sedative and nervous depressant in convulsions, hysteria, epilepsy, chorea. Topically used as a rubefacient and mild analgesic. Key application Externally in catarrhal diseases of the respiratory tract and muscular rheumatism; internally in hypotonic circulatory regulation disorders, Catarrhal diseases of the respiratory tract. (German Commission E.)

The plant contains a volatile oil comprising camphor, safrole, linalool, eugenol and terpeneol. It also contains lignans (including secoisosolariciresinol dimethyl ether and kusunokiol). Safrole is thought to be carcinogenic.

The leaf oil is a natural source of linalool (94.9%); also contained citronellal (2.4%).

 

Camphor in concentration of 500 mcg!ml completely inhibits the growth of vibro parahaemolyticus, one of the causative agents of diarrhoea and dysentery. Ethanolic extract (50%) of fruits show antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil from the plant possesses antifungal activity against many fungi.

Camphor is toxic at 2—20 g.

Dosage Concentrate—125—375 mg