You must have seen people using camphor for the aarti of God. Apart from faith, if it is a matter of health, then Camphor is not behind in this matter too. It must be a bit surprising to know this, but there is no doubt that it can be used as a medicine. The question that may arise in the mind of many people is how? So in this article on Myhealthonly, we try to know the benefits and uses of camphor as well as all the aspects related to it, which make it a great option for the treatment of many diseases. But, you also have to keep in mind that camphor can provide relief from the problem, but complete treatment depends on the medical advice.
So let’s go without delay, what is camphor? Get to know about this. Later we will also discuss the benefits of camphor.
What Is Camphor?
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Camphor is a wax-like white or transparent substance obtained from certain trees. It is flammable and has a strong smell. Based on the availability of trees found in different places, three main types of camphor are in practice. Camphor obtained from trees of Cinnamomum camphora species is called Japanese camphor, camphor obtained from Dryobalanops aromatic species is known as Bhimseni camphor and that obtained from trees of Blumea species. Camphor is popularly known as Patri Camphor.
In such a situation, the availability of camphor cannot be linked to anyone tree or species. On the basis of its abundant availability, it is also obtained from many other species of trees, whose number is so large that it is not possible to tell about them all here.
What is camphor? After knowing, let us know what are the benefits of camphor? Get to know a little about this too.
Tremendous Benefits Of Camphor
- Rich in Antioxidant Properties
According to the research of National Taiwan University published on the website of NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), camphor is found as the main ingredient in the tree named Cinnamomum Osmophloeum Kaneh. In addition, research also mentions that the camphor found in it has antioxidant properties. On this basis, it can be assumed that camphor can be used as an excellent antioxidant.
Explain that the antioxidant effect gives the body the ability to fight free radicals. Oxidative stress is caused by free radicals that damage cells and cause many serious diseases like Alzheimer’s (amnesia), heart disease, and diabetes. For this reason, it can be assumed that the antioxidant properties present in camphor can prove to be helpful in relieving many health-related problems like these.
- Acts as a stimulant
Camphor can also act as a stimulant. According to experts, it has a stimulating effect. Explain that such elements are counted in the category of stimulants, which have the ability to improve the nervous system of the body. Camphor can prove to be helpful in curing many problems related to the nervous system due to this special property.
- Enriched with Antiseptic Properties
Antiseptic means to protect against bacteria and micro-organisms. For this reason, things that have antibacterial and anti-microbial effects are considered to be full of antiseptic effects. At the same time, research conducted by MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute) mentions that both antibacterial and antimicrobial effects are found in camphor. For this reason, it can be said that camphor can prove to be helpful in protecting the minor wounds on the body from decay.
- Provide relief for gastric problem
The use of camphor can also prove beneficial in gastric, which is also called the problem of gas in the stomach in common language. According to experts, camphor oil can be used to get relief from this problem. Actually, the problem of gas in the stomach is due to excess acidity in the stomach. Camphor has a tendency to be alkaline, which can help reduce the acidic effect. For this reason, it can be assumed that the use of camphor oil can prove beneficial in gastric problems.
- Relieve Pain
Applying camphor mixed with coconut oil can provide relief from muscle pain and cramps. In addition, it can also work to reduce inflammation. The reason is that camphor has analgesic properties (pain-reducing) as well as a rubefacient (reducing inflammation of the skin) effect. Due to both these effects, camphor can show positive results in reducing pain.
- Libido enhancer
The use of camphor can also be considered beneficial in increasing the tendency towards sexual relations. Research done on the medicinal properties of camphor mentions that it has the ability to increase aphrodisiac ie libido and the use of camphor oil can prove beneficial in this case. At the same time, due to excessive use, it can also exhibit effects like anti-aphrodisiac i.e. reducing libido. Hence, here one needs to be extremely careful while using it.
- Anti-neuralgic
The term anti-neuralgic is used for a property that helps relieve neuralgia, a problem related to the nervous system. Neuralgia is characterized by pain and swelling in different parts of the body. At the same time, mainly the head and face are affected.
According to experts, camphor has analgesic properties as well as a rubefacient (reducing inflammation of the skin) effect. These two effects combined can also provide relief in neuralgia. For this reason, there is no harm in saying that camphor can be used as an anti-neuralgic. For now, further research is needed on this topic.
- Antiinflammatory
Research conducted by Jeju National University in South Korea found that its extract has anti-inflammatory effects. For this reason, it can be assumed that this quality present in the camphor tree is also present in camphor. In such a situation, it would not be wrong to say that the use of camphor can exhibit positive effects in reducing many types of physical inflammation.
- Heals Wounds Due to Burns
As we have told you earlier in the article that camphor has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. In such a situation, both these properties can remove the infection in the wound due to burns. At the same time, according to research published on the website of NCBI, camphor with sesame oil and honey is also used in medicines to heal burn wounds, which proves to be very effective. For this reason, it can be assumed that camphor has the ability to reduce the risk of infection in the burn wound to some extent and also heal it.
- Away from cold and cough
It is advised to apply camphor mixed with coconut oil and apply on the chest to prevent cold and cough. Camphor is said to have antiviral (protective against virus infection) and antitussive (cough prevention and relief) effects. Both these effects present in camphor combined can prove to be helpful in keeping away the problem of cold and cough.
- Provide relief in the problem of arthritis
As we have told you earlier in the article that camphor has anti-inflammatory (reducing inflammation) and analgesic (reducing pain) effects. Both these properties can work to reduce the swelling in the joints due to the problem of arthritis, as well as provide relief in pain. For this reason, it can be assumed that massaging with camphor oil can give beneficial results in the problem of arthritis.
- Beneficial for the skin
You have come to know about the health-related properties of camphor. Along with this, camphor has antibacterial and antifungal (removing the effect of fungus on the skin) properties, which can prove to be helpful in removing many skin-related problems. For this reason, camphor can be considered beneficial for health as well as skin. At present, further research is needed in this regard.
After knowing the benefits of camphor, now we will make you aware of the nutritious elements of camphor.
Camphor Nutritional Value –
As we have already told you in the article that camphor is isolated from some special trees. Therefore, it does not contain nutrients. The chemical elements present in the camphor tree, the presence of those same elements, and medicinal properties are found in it. That is why here we are going to tell you about some chemicals, which make camphor a great medicine.
- Pinene
- Camphene
- B-pinene
- Sabinene
- Feldene
- Limonene
- 1,8-cineole
- Y-turpinene
- A-terpinolene
- D-camphor
- Linalool
- Terpinen-4-ol
- Caryophyllene
- Safrole
- Eugenol
In the next part of the article, we will now get information about the use of camphor.
How to Use Camphor
Camphor can be used through the following points –
- Camphor can be mixed with coconut oil and applied for skin-related disorders.
- It can also be used by mixing in bath water for skin-related problems.
- It can be mixed with coconut oil and massaged to get relief from pain and swelling.
- In case of cold and flu, it is advised to massage its oil on the chest.
- Camphor can be used with oil on the skin. At the same time, camphor is also used in many types of balms and vapor rubs, which gives relief from pain and cold.
- Camphor can be used externally. Keep in mind that the consumption of camphor can be harmful in any way.
After knowing the uses of camphor, now we will talk about the side effects of camphor.
Side Effects Of Camphor
You must have known about the benefits of camphor, but if it is used incorrectly or unbalanced then it can display many side effects. Camphor can be harmful if consumed in excess, inhaled, and used on the skin. The reason is that some toxic elements are present in it. Let’s take a look at its side effects:
Mild Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tremors and twitches due to muscle stimulation
- Itching and burning due to excessive use on the skin
- Itching and burning in the nose when sniffing
Serious Side Effects
- Epileptic condition lasting several hours due to overdose
- In some cases, coma and death can also arise.
We hope that you must have understood well what is camphor and what are the benefits of camphor. Along with this, you must have come to know the important things related to its use. You can use it in controlled amounts to reduce the effects of the health problems mentioned in the article. Also, keep in mind the side effects of camphor, so that all its benefits of it can be achieved effectively. Hope this article will prove to be helpful to a great extent in solving health-related problems.
