botanical name(s): Cinnamomum camphora
synonyms: camphor, laurel camphor, gum camphor, karnpferbaum, camphrier
part(s) used: resin, volatile oil, distillate from wood
qualities: aromatic, pungent, bitter, dry
affinities:
actions: anodyne, anthelmintic, carminative; diaphoretic, sedative, antispasmodic
dosage:
» powder: 0.06 - 0.32 g
» spirit of camphor (10%): 1 - 30 drops
specific indications: "insomnia and restlessness, the pulse being soft and tongue moist; diarrhea" (Scudder); low grades of inflammation and fevers, particularly typhoid with great restlessness, morbid watchfulness, muttering delirium, subsultus, dry skin, and quick, irritable pulse; strangury; urination frequent, difficult, and tenesmic (Felter and Lloyd, p. 413)
therapy:
» external: used as an antipruritic, antiseptic, rubefacient, stimulant; intertrigo, chronic eczema; urticaria; herpes zoster; myalgia; facial neuralgia; rheumatic joints; deep inflammations; chronic indurations; sprains; contusions; inflammatory swellings; erysipelas; nervous headache; acute colds, coryza; influenza (Felter, pp. 267 - 268)
» internal: to allay nervous excitement; nervous nausea and vomiting; flatulence; hiccough; tendency to spasms or fainting; palpitation of the heart due to gaseous distention of the stomach, or nervous irritability; occipital headache; adynamic depression attending or following exhausting diseases (Felter, p. 268)
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b, 2d (do not exceed recommended dose; not for long-term use) (McGuffin)
toxicity: 2; oil of camphor is very toxic
» use of camphor near the nose of infants or small children is contraindicated (DeSmet) since its inhalation and absorption in small doses can result in CNS overstimulation and seizures (Brinker)
» contraindicated in pregnancy due to emmenagogue, abortifacient, foeticidal properties (Brinker, p. 26; Tyler et al, Farnsworth)
» use contraindicated on broken skin (DeSmet) due to the rubefacient effect of its monoterpene camphor (Brinker)
» topical irritant; essential oil application has resulted in cheilitis and dermatitis (von Oettingen, p. 305)
» camphor oil is readily absorbed from skin applications and/or upon inhalation; in large doses can be hallucinogenic (Tyler, et al; Felter and Lloyd, p. 417; Lewis)
» Camphor leaves have caused numerous poisonings in humans, especially children. Immediate effects include esophageal and gastric pain; large doses result in vomiting, and gastric ulceration can occur. The patient can then develop a feeble pulse, cold sweat, sensation of warmth, hypotension, decreased respirations; mental confusion, drowsiness, delirium, or stupor can occur. Optic signs include mydriasis, strabismus, amblyopia, and a flickering of the eyes. Auditory-vestibular signs may also occur. Skin erythema, especially on the face. Large doses cause clonic twitches, muscles spasms, paresthesias, delirium and hallucinations. Epileptiform convulsions, collapse, and death due to respiratory failure can occur (Cain, p. 447; Felter, p. 267)
» clinical examination reveals camphoraceous odor on the breath, hyperreflexia, rapid pulse, and an initial hypertension followed by hypotension; rapid respirations occur in the early stages, followed by slower, more shallow during the later stages
» long term use has led to mental confusion; overuse of Oil of Camphor can cause respiratory failure, paralysis, narcosis, and hallucinations (Duke, pp. 125 - 126; Felter, p. 267)
» essential oil contains safrole, a suspected carcinogen (Duke, pp. 125 - 126; Keeler and Tu, p. 252)
constituents: volatile oils; lignans
footnotes
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Cain, H.D. 1980. Flint's Emergency Treatment and Management, 6th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company.
De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Felter, H. W., and Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.
Keeler, R.F., and Tu, A.T. 1983. Handbook of Natural Toxins. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.
Lewis, W.H., and Elvin-Lewis, M.P. 1977. Medical Botany. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Scudder, John, M.D. 1882. Specific Diagnosis: A Study of Disease. Cinncinnati, OH: Witlstach, Baldwin and Co.
Tyler, V.E., Brady, L.R., Robbers, J.E. 1988. Pharmacognosy. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.