Generality
Description of camphor
Camphor is a monoterpenic monocyclic ketonic substance, obtained by distillation of the wood and the roots of the botanical species Cinnamomum camphora ; the maximum yield is obtained from plants with 50-60 years of age.
The substance can also be obtained by chemical synthesis starting from the alpha-pinene present in the essence of turpentine.
At room temperature, camphor is a white, volatile and crystalline substance with a characteristic penetrating odor; on the palate, its aromatic and pungent taste soon gives way to a feeling of cold and bitter.
Uses of camphor
In addition to the medicinal one that we will see below, camphor is used:
- As a cooking ingredient (mainly in Indian gastronomy)
- As an embalming liquid
- As a perfume in religious ceremonies
- As a flammable or explosive ingredient
- As a pesticide.
Legislative regulation on camphor
In 1980, the US "Food and Drug Administration" set a limit of 11% of permissible camphor in products (for example oil with a camouflage) and banned the trade in many items (with the exception of essential oil of white camphor).
Since alternative treatments exist, the medical use of camphor is discouraged by the FDA, with the exception of uses related to the treatment of the skin that contain only small amounts of camphor.
Indications
When to use camphor?
Today the therapeutic indications of camphor are less numerous than in the past, when it was used in various ways and for a wide range of disorders; in particular, camphor was used above all:
- In the seventh century, in ayurveda medicine, as a remedy for fever.
- Between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries:
- Against spasms and inflammation
- As a remedy for certain psychiatric disorders
- As a cure-cholera prevention etc.
- Until the 20th century:
- For the "tired" heart
- For congestion of the upper and lower airways, especially in the presence of cough
- To combat intestinal flatulence
- To combat foot mycosis.
The trend reversal mentioned in the previous paragraph is justifiable:
- From the synthesis of cardiotonic drugs with a superior therapeutic index, many of which are formulated precisely on the basis of its structure;
- From the potential toxicity that limits its use also in ointments and emulsions for external use (see below).
Property and Effectiveness
What benefits has camphor shown during the studies?
The phytotherapeutic properties of camphor are carried out above all:
- At cardiac level, where blood flow increases by dilating the coronaries and increasing the pulse
- At the respiratory level, where it performs a reducing action on the respiratory acts, decongestant, stimulating the breath, soothing for the cough
- At the skin level, where it exercises an activity:
- vasodilating
- Revulsive - rubefacient (recalls blood)
- antipruritic
- Weakly analgesic (due to nervous effects)
- Soothing (the anti-rheumatic virtues of camphor oil are famous, also used in the sports field to resolve painful contractions, cramps and muscle aches in general)
- Antimicrobial.
- At the level of the nervous system:
- Reducing the appetite
- Increasing sweating
- Increasing urination
- At the joint level:
- Fights the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
The scientific evidence on any positive effects on hemorrhoids, onychomycoses, warts, low blood pressure are weak or inconsistent.
Doses and Mode of Use
How to use camphor?
Camphor can be taken:
- Orally:
- To combat minor cardiac symptoms, in amounts of 50 mg.
- Topically:
- Against cough, applied on the chest in creams with concentrations lower than 10%
- To combat cough, applied to the chest in the form of ointment at 4.7% - 5.3%.
- For pain, applied to the skin as a painkiller in concentrations from 3% to 10%.
- Against itching and skin irritation, applied to the skin in products with concentrations ranging from 3% to 11%
- For osteoarthritis, applied on painful joints in the form of a cream containing 33 mg / g of camphor, 30 mg / g of glucosamine sulfate and 30 mg of chondroitin sulfate, up to 8 weeks.
Note : camphor is an ingredient of many adhesive products to treat cold sores, insect bites and stings, minor burns and hemorrhoids.
- By inhalation (respiratory tract):
- One tablespoon of solution per 250 ml of water, directly into a vaporizer, up to three times a day.
Side effects
In low concentration lotions applied to the skin, or at slightly higher concentrations for short periods, camphor is generally considered safe.
However, excessive use of camphor can cause:
- For topical application: strong dermatitis.
- By ingestion (more rarely at the local level and above all on the compromised skin): even deadly poisonings, especially in children and the elderly.
Also, excessive doses of camphor can cause:
- Irritability
- Disorientation
- Lethargy
- Muscle spasms
- He retched
- Abdominal cramps
- Convulsions.
The lethal doses in adults are between 50-500 mg / kg orally.
Generally, 2 g cause severe toxicity and 4 g are potentially lethal.
Symptoms appear within 5 to 90 minutes.
Contraindications
When shouldn't camphor be used?
The use of camphor is not recommended:
- In pregnancy and lactation
- In the case of liver disease, which could significantly worsen
- Orally, especially in considerable dosages, in the elderly
- In all its forms, for newborns and children, including cutaneous applications, especially at face and nose level (the prohibition concerns above all concentrated preparations, which have been banned for many years in various countries)
- Topically, in the presence of skin lesions and burns because being rapidly absorbed can lead to severe poisoning.
Pharmacological Interactions
What drugs or foods can modify the effect of camphor?
At the moment there is no information on the pharmacological interactions of camphor.
Precautions for Use
What do you need to know before taking camphor?
Before using camphor it is necessary to fully understand all the notions regarding doses, side effects, contraindications and drug interactions.
Do not heat the products containing camphor (Vicks VapoRub etc.) in the microwave oven: the product can explode and cause severe burns.
For the use of camphor in any subject with a different age than the adult and in conditions other than normal, the consultation of the doctor is necessary.
