INCI: Cinnamomum camphora wood oil
Origin: China
Extraction: steam distillation
Plant part: wood
The camphor tree is an evergreen tree of the laurel family. It can grow to a height of over 30m, reach a diameter of up to 7m at breast height and live more than 1500 years. All parts of the plant smell strongly of camphor, which is why the essential oil is extracted from all parts of the tree, but especially from the wood. In order to extract the essential oil, the tree must be at least 50 years old, since younger trees still contain relatively little oil. The tree is native to Japan and parts of Southeast Asia.
The essential camphor oil smells similarly fresh and pungent as eucalyptus. It has an antibacterial, circulation-enhancing, anti-inflammatory and calming effect. Its analgesic and expectorant properties make it a valuable remedy in the treatment of the common cold. Camphor also has an analgesic and local anesthetic effect, which is why it is also used in dentistry as an anesthetic. Due to the strong, also stimulating ingredients, camphor oil should only be used in small doses and heavily diluted with a base oil or alcohol.
Warning: essential camphor oil is not suitable for epileptics, babies, small children and pregnant women! In too high a dose, it can cause poisoning and allergic reactions as well as asthmatic conditions.
