Camphor by Wanderer MoonChild

Botanical Basics

1. Common Name(s): Camphor, Camphor Laurel, Camphor Tree
2. Folk Name(s): Gum Camphor, Japanese Camphor, Arbol Alcanfor
3. Scientific/Latin Name: Cinnamomum camphora
4. Family: Lauraceae (Laurel family)
5. Plant Type: Evergreen tree
6. Botanical Description: A large evergreen tree reaching 50–100 feet tall, with glossy, ovate leaves that release a strong camphor scent when crushed. Small yellowish flowers appear in spring, followed by black berry-like drupes.
7. Growing Zones/Climate: USDA Zones 9–11; thrives in warm, subtropical to tropical climates.
8. Best Zones for Growth: Southeastern U.S. (Florida, Gulf Coast), parts of California, Asia (native to China, Japan, Taiwan).
9. Habitat & Range: Native to East Asia; naturalized in many warm regions worldwide, often invasive in some areas

Cultivation & Harvest

1. Soil & Sun Requirements: Prefers well-drained, loamy soils; full sun to partial shade.
2. Propagation: Usually grown from seed or cuttings; also cultivated for essential oil extraction.
3. Companion Planting: Rarely used in companion planting due to allelopathic properties (inhibits growth of nearby plants).
4. Harvesting Guidelines: The wood and leaves are steam-distilled to extract camphor oil. Harvest mature branches/leaves for maximum yield.
5. Drying/Preservation: Camphor oil is stored in glass containers away from light and heat; leaves can be dried for sachets or fumigation.

Traditional & Historical Use

1. Cultural Significance: Highly valued in traditional Chinese, Indian, and Middle Eastern medicine; used in religious rituals and temple offerings.
2. Traditional Medicine: Used as a decongestant, antiseptic, stimulant, and topical analgesic. In Ayurveda, employed to balance Kapha dosha and aid in breathing.
3. Symbolism: Represents purification, clarity, and spiritual protection; often burned as incense to ward off negativity.

Medicinal & Practical Properties

1. Active Constituents: Camphor (a terpenoid ketone), safrole, cineole, linalool, pinene.
2. Medicinal Uses:
   
3. Relieves coughs, congestion, and bronchitis (vapors, balms).
4. Soothes muscle aches and arthritis pain (topical rubs).
5. Used in chest rubs, cooling ointments, and salves for itching.
   
6. Preparation Methods: Distilled essential oil, ointments, balms, infused oils, incense, fumigation.
7. Dosage & Guidelines:
   
8. External use only: Camphor oil is potent and toxic if ingested.
9. Dilute oil properly (1–2% in carrier oil).
10. Use in small amounts in balms or vaporizers.
    
11. Safety/Precautions:
    
12. Toxic when taken internally; even small doses can be fatal.
13. Avoid use on infants/children, during pregnancy, and in epilepsy.
14. Always dilute before topical use.
    

Magical & Spiritual Properties

1. Elemental Association: Air & Fire
2. Planetary/Deity Correspondence: Moon, Mercury; linked to deities of purification and healing (Kwan Yin, Shiva).
3. Magical Correspondences: Purification, protection, psychic clarity, banishing, spiritual elevation.
4. Ritual Use: Burn camphor chips/resin to cleanse sacred space, ward off evil, and invite spiritual clarity; often used in exorcisms and house cleansings.
5. Symbolism in Divination/Dreams: Dreaming of camphor suggests spiritual cleansing, release of burdens, or divine messages.

Ecological & Culinary Uses

1. Pollinator Value: Flowers attract bees and butterflies.
2. Wildlife Uses: Birds feed on the fruit; foliage provides shelter.
3. Culinary Uses: Not edible—toxic if ingested; unlike culinary cinnamon relatives.

Household/Practical Uses

1. Repels moths and insects (camphor blocks or sachets).
2. Used in ointments and balms for cooling effect.
3. Incorporated into ritual incense and cleansing smoke.

Fast Facts

1. Quick Uses: Inhaled for congestion; rubbed on sore muscles; burned in ritual for purification.
2. Notable Traits: Strong, penetrating scent; highly flammable resin/oil; powerful insect repellent.
3. Special Notes: Historically used in embalming and temple rituals; today mainly distilled into camphor oil and moth repellents.
   
   

Supporting Notes

1. Chevallier, A. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. DK Publishing, 2016.
2. Grieve, M. A Modern Herbal (1931).
3. Duke, J. A. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. CRC Press, 2002.
4. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): Camphor Toxicology & Uses.