Collection: Camphor Essential Oil

Camphor Essential Oil (also known as White Camphor Oil) is steam-distilled from the wood, roots and bark of the camphor tree—cinnamomum camphora—also referred to as the camphorwood or camphor laurel. Its pungent woody scent is very powerful, not unlike mothballs, while reassuring and sentimental, and has wide-reaching properties and applications. 

Properties

Camphor oil is a powerful agent. It comprises camphor, terpene, safrole, camphene, pinene, borneol and alcohol, leaving it perfectly situated as an insecticide, decongestant, antitussive, anaesthetic, stimulant, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. Applied to the skin, it has a counter-irritant mild analgesic effect, and when inhaled, it has a cough suppressant effect. 

How to use camphor essential oil

Camphor essential oil should be used with care. It is very easily absorbed by the skin, and should always be mixed with a carrier oil. Here are three ways of administering Camphor Essential Oil.

Topical application

Numerous blends can be created to assist in the relief of a range of aches and pains, including sore muscles, rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia, sciatica and fibromyalgia. 

Camphor oil's counter-irritant analgesic action is similar to tiger balm, in that it works on a set of channels that run through our skin cells, called Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid (TRPV), helping to communicate our perception of heat and cold. TL;DR: it's an effective pain reliever. 

To assist in the relief of arthritis, combine 1 drop of camphor essential oil, 1 drop of juniper berry essential oil, 1 drop of lavender essential oil with 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil such as tamanu. 

To assist in the relief of toothache, a camphor oil blend can be applied externally along the jawline—NEVER place camphor oil in the mouth or ingest it. Combine one drop of camphor essential oil with one drop of clove bud essential oil, one drop of yarrow essential oil, and one drop of spikenard essential oil with a carrier oil such as borage.

Use topical applications of camphor oil blends sparingly to maintain their effectiveness. 

Via steam inhalation

Adding camphor oil to a diffuser or vaporiser assists in the relief of coughs and colds on two levels: the perceived relief of nasal congestion, and the antitussive action to relieve cough. 

For a more rounded home remedy combine one drop of camphor essential oil with one drop of eucalyptus blue gum essential oil and one drop of frankincense essential oil, and add to a diffuser or vaporiser. 

In soap

The main reason for including camphor essential oil in soap is due to its antibacterial properties, making it potentially effective against acne and blackheads.

Essential Oils are highly concentrated and must be used with care. Do not use during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Not to be taken internally.

Do not use camphor oil for medical treatment without first speaking to a medical professional.