What Is Camphor? Health Uses and Precautions

What Is Camphor? Health Uses and Precautions

 

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Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) is a terpene (organic compound) that’s commonly used in creams, ointments, and lotions. Camphor oil is the oil extracted from the wood of camphor trees and processed by steam distillation. It can be used topically to relieve pain, irritation, and itching. Camphor is also used to relieve chest congestion and inflammatory conditions.

It has a strong odor and taste and is easily absorbed through the skin. Camphor is currently made out of turpentine, but it’s still safe to use as long as you use it correctly. It has the potential for side effects, especially if you use it in high doses. Never take camphor internally or apply it to broken skin, as it can be toxic.  

Incredible Benefits of Camphor

1. Relieves Pain and SwellingOn the skin it acts as a counter irritant and is therefore used topically to relieve pain and swelling. It causes numbness of sensory nerve endings of skin, thereby reliving pain and inflammation, and preventing skin redness. 

2. Alleviates Skin RashesAnother skin problem faced by many people is rashes that cause redness. Camphor can help in getting rid of rashes and redness when used as topical itch relieving gels.How to use: Just dissolve the camphor oil in water and apply it on the affected area for a few days.3. Treatment of Nail FungusNail fungus or onychomycosis may require treatment by oral anti-fungal, but topical preparations like Vaporub containing camphor oil can be added for faster clearing of the fungus. However, it is effective against onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida parapsilosis, which are species of fungi.

4. Used to Treat EczemaCamphor can be used to treat irritated symptoms of eczema in kids and adults. Camphor helps in relieving the pain and inflammation, which is a symptom of eczema. Camphor is also found in many lotions and ointment treatments of eczema.5. Helps Induce SleepFragrance of camphor oil has a calming effect on the mind and brings a good night’s sleep.How to use: Few drops of the oil can be rubbed on the pillow to induce sleep.

6. Treats Cold and CoughCamphor helps in treating cold and cough and relieves throat congestion. Camphor oil is an ingredient of many vaporub and decongestants.How to use: Rub some on your chest and back and let it work its magic.

7. Promotes Hair GrowthLess hair on the scalp is a nightmare. This could result due to a number of factors, such as improper hair care routine and spending lots and lots of money on chemical loaded hair care products. So, here’s a solution to the problem - use camphor oil. Application of camphor oil on the hair makes it soft and boosts hair growth.How to use: Mix camphor oil to your regular oil and apply it on the scalp. This will stimulate blood flow to the applied area and promote hair growth.    

8. Home Remedy for Head LiceCamphor oil mixed in bathing water is used for the treatment of Pediculosis capitis or head lice.How to use: Mix powdered camphor tablet in coconut oil and apply it evenly on scalp and hair before going to bed. Wash your hair with shampoo and say goodbye to lice. This is because camphor powder suffocates the lice and hence kills them. 

What Are Dosages of Camphor?

Dosages of Camphor:

Topical

• 3-11% ointment

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Topical

• Itching and pain: 3-11% ointment applied three to four times daily
• Cough: Thick layer of 4.7-5.3% ointment applied to throat and chest
• Osteoarthritis: Topical combo product containing camphor (32 mg/g), glucosamine sulfate (30 mg/g), and chondroitin sulfate (50 mg/g) applied as needed for 8 weeks

Inhalation

• 1 tablespoon solution per quart of water in a steam vaporizer three times daily
• Pediatric:
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that topical camphor products not exceed 11% camphor AND
  • Recommend that camphor not be used in treating children orally
  • Ingestion of camphor can cause significant toxicity including death

  What Other Drugs Interact with Camphor?

  If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Camphor has no known severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or for more information about this medicine.

What Are Warnings and Precautions for Camphor?

Warnings

• This medication contains camphor. Do not take camphire or Cinnamomum camphora if you are allergic to camphor or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• This medication contains camphor. Do not take Lodine if you are allergic to camphor or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Infants

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Camphor?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Camphor?"

Cautions

• The external application can cause skin irritation (eczema) or lead to poisoning through inhalation.
• See camphor toxicity.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• There are no known harmful effects regarding the use of camphor during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before use.

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