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| Latin Name |
English Name |
Sanskrit Names |
Cinnamomum camphora
(Linn.) Presl. (Lauraceae)
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Camphor tree |
Kapur, Karpura |
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| History |
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| It is not known
when camphor was first extracted. Though Chinese literature
refers only the Camphor from C.Camphora, Sanskrit writers mention
two kinds of 'Karpura' the 'Pakva' and 'Apakva'. 'Pakva is from
C.camphora and the 'Apakva' from Dryobalanops aromatica. Both
are used in Ayurveda. 'Apakva' was used more in medicine than
'Pakva'. Chinese Camphor was exported to Europe. In India, camphor
was imported both from China and Japan, but the latter variety
is pure and imported more than the former. |
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| Habitat |
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It was introduced
and cultivated in India as an ornamental and as a source of camphor
in south India and also in Dehra Dun, Saharanpur and Calcutta at an
elevation of 1,500-2,000 m.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
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A large, handsome,
evergreen tree, native to China and Japan. Leaves are glabrous, sub-
coriaceous, ovate-elliptic to elliptic to sub-ovate-elliptic, inflorescence
is in axillary, slender, glabrous and many flowered panicles. The
fruits are one-seeded berries, globose, slightly fleshy, seated on
a shallow, thin cup, turning black when ripe. C. camphora comprises
many forms.
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| Principal
Constituents |
 Camphor
is the active constituent of the plant.
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| Pharmacology |
It has antibacterial
and anti-fungal activities1.
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| Toxicology |
Camphor in large
doses is toxic. Toxicity symptoms include headache, nausea, excitement,
confusion and delirium. Camphor also affects the central nervous system
and is toxic to humans. Toxicity symptoms in adults have been noted
after use of as little as 2 gram.
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| Indications |
Camphor liniment
is used for relief of pain in muscular rheumatism. Camphor oil is
used externally in rheumatism. Applied externally to the skin, camphor
acts as a rubefacient. It is taken internally as a carminative. It
has stimulant, antispasmodic, rubefacient and analgesic properties.
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| Product
Range |
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Ophthacare, Pilex
(VeinCare), Cold Balm, Canisep, Rumalaya
Vet, Scavon Vet.
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| References |
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- Adhikari et. al., J Instn Chem India, 1976, 48, 223;
Thind & Suri, Indian Perfum, 1979, 23, 138; Naqvi et. al.,
Pakist J sci industr Res, 1985, 28, 269.
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