Camphor Oil

Aroma: Cool and fresh

Latin name: Cinnamomum camphora    Origin: China, Japan and Taiwan    Properties: Fresh, clearing and cool

Camphor oil is transparent in colour. The oil is extracted by steam distillation from the wood, roots, bark, chips or branches of the camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) which is an evergreen tree native to China, Taiwan, India and Japan. Camphor trees are also known to be grown in California and Brazil. Camphor oil belongs to the 'camphoraceous' family.

Camphor oil is a strong but pleasant smelling oil and traditionally is worn around the neck to ward off evil sprits, infectious diseases, arthritis, bronchitis, colds, flu, muscle aches, acne, sprains, coughs and also to strengthen the heart. It can be used as an insecticide, particularly in mothballs, as it repels insects. It is also used in confectionary and in explosives. A lot of people use it with skin applications as it helps with acne and conditioning of the skin. It can be used as a massaging oil as it is a muscle relaxant. Please note that like any essential oil, this material should not be applied to the skin undiluted. For aromatherapy use, always dilute in a suitable carrier oil such as almond oil or grapeseed oil.

Camphor oil combines well with orange, ylang ylang and olibanum.

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 Revised: 6th June 2010.