Camphor has been used since ages for its various medicinal, therapeutic and beauty benefits. It has antiseptic, anesthetic, decongestant, antispasmodic, disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, antineuralgic and stimulant properties. There are two types of camphor, Cinnamomum Camphora and Dryobalanops Camphora. Although both are similar in nature and in terms of their various properties and medicinal values, there is a slight variation in their composition and aroma. In spite of all the medicinal and healing properties, camphor is toxic in nature and should be used with caution. Excess ingestion of camphor can be fatal or lethal, depending upon the quantity consumed. If you experience vomiting, a fall in the temperature of the body or feel too thirsty, you should seek immediate medical intervention. For external use, you can blend it with carrier oils and other components like lavender oil, basil, chamomile oil, rose water, Mellissa or coconut oil.
In This Article, We Have Listed Some Of The Health, Skin And Hair Benefits Of Using Camphor:
1. Relieves Pain
Camphor is anti-inflammatory in nature and helps in reducing pain. The various sprays, ointments and balms that are used for relieving pain contain camphor. It is as effective pain-killer for pain caused due to injury, back pain, joint pain or muscle pain. The easiest way of reducing pain is to rub some camphor on the affected area. You can also dissolve some camphor into water and use it for bathing.
2. Relieves Osteoarthritis
If you are suffering from osteoarthritis, camphor may help you get fast relief. It helps in reducing inflammation and swelling caused due to stiffness and pain in the joints. It is a naturally safe substitute for ointments, gels and balms available in the market for joint pain relief.
3. Improves Blood Circulation
Camphor stabilizes the irregular flow of blood and improves the circulation of blood to the different parts of the body. You can improve your blood circulation by inhaling camphor. This helps in avoiding a number of diseases and health conditions like arthritis, gout, skin diseases and swelling in the body (3).
4. Fights Cold And Flu
If you are suffering from cold, cough, bronchitis or flue, camphor can be an effective home remedy for this. It is anti-inflammatory in nature that has soothing effects. You can use it in a number of ways to get relief from cough and nasal congestion. You can put some camphor in hot water and inhale it. Another way is to rub in on your chest, back and neck which will soothe the throat and remove congestion. Most of the balms and vapor rubs present in the market contain camphor (4).
5. Reduces Toenail Infection
Fungal infection in the toenail is painful as well as embarrassing. The anti-microbial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties present in camphor makes it an excellent remedy for toenail infection. If your toenails are prone to fungal infection, the condition is more likely to recur. To avoid this, you need regular care and ailment. Although, there are many over-the-counter medications and ointments available for this, they come with a hefty price tag and also contain chemical that may cause other side-effects. Using camphor as an ailment for toenail infection is cost-effective and at the same time, works as a natural remedy that can be applied with ease.
6. Soothes Minor Burns
Camphor is effective in healing minor burns and wounds. It also helps in reducing the scars and blemishes caused due to burns. It is anti-inflammatory in nature that helps in soothing the affected area. Further, it has a natural cooling and calming effect on the nerves as well as the skin, and helps in providing relief from pain and inflammation.
Take some water in a small bowl and add a small pinch of camphor into it. You can also a few drops of camphor oil, which is equally effective in healing burns. Apply it over the affected area of the burn or wound. You may apply it every day until the burn is healed and the scar is completely gone.
7. Reduces Acne
Camphor is very effective in reducing and healing acne. Therefore, it is widely used in soaps, cleansers, solutions and lotions for acne cure. It has antiseptic and anti-microbial properties that help in reducing the infections and diseases that cause acne and pimples. It reduces the excess oils in the sebaceous glands that clogs the skin pores and causes acne. Moreover, it is anti-inflammatory in nature which works on the acne affected area by reducing inflammation, irritation, swelling, redness or pain. It also removes the blemishes and scars caused due to acne breakout (7).
8. Reduces Head Lice
Camphor helps in destroying head lice and reduces their growth. It is strong in nature and works like an insecticide and disinfectant by killing them. It contains components that are present in an anti-lice shampoo and kills them and stop their infestation. Add a teaspoon of camphor to a small tumbler of water and wash your scalp and hair with it. Repeat this on alternate days until your hair is completely lice-free (8).
9. Improves Metabolism And Promotes Digestion
Camphor is effective in soothing the digestive track and improve metabolism. It also helps in reducing gastroenteritis and diarrhea. It helps in avoiding the formation of gas in the stomach. You can add a pinch of camphor to your dessert which also adds flavor to it (9).
10. Relieves Muscle Sprain And Ache
Camphor is a strong component and is counter irritant in nature. This helps in reducing muscle sprain, ache and swelling caused due to daily activities or workouts. Its anti-inflammatory properties create numbness in the muscles and skin and provide relief (10).
11. Calms The Mind And Reduces Depression
The cooling effect of camphor and its aroma helps in calming the mind and promote a good night’s sleep. This help in reducing stress and reduce the symptoms of depression. You can add some camphor or its oil into oil diffusers. The other ways of using camphor to induce sleep are rubbing a little camphor on your pillow or inhaling it (11).
12. Reduces Itching
Itching, redness and rashes are common skin problems which are irritating as well as embarrassing. Applying camphor can help in reducing these skin problems, if you use it in place of anti-itching ailments. Regular applying of camphor infused water on the affected area helps in reducing these skin irritations.
