Camphor

Related Terms

1,8-cineole, (1R,4R)-1,7,7-trimethyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-on, 2-bornanone, albero della canfora (Italian), alcanfor (Spanish), alcanfor del Jap?n (Spanish), alcanforero (Spanish), alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol, ?rbol del alcanfor (Spanish), arvore da camphora (Portuguese), beta-pinene, Blumea balsamifera (Compositae), Borneo camphor, C10H16O, Campher (German), camphire, camphor laurel, camphor tree, camphora, Camphora camphora, Camphora officinarum, camphorin, camphortree, camphre (French), camphre du Japon (French), camphrier (French), candra (Sanskrit), canfora (Italian), canforo (Italian), cemphire, chang (Chinese), cinnamomin, Cinnamomum camphora, cutakkarpuram (Malayalam), cynamonowiec kamforowy (Polish), D-camphor, D(+) camphor, DL-camphor, Dryobalanops aromatica (Dipterocarpaceae), Formosa camphor, Formosan wood, Fujisawa camphor, gum camphor, ho-sho, Japanese camphor, Japanischer Kamferbaum (German), kafrovn?k l?karsky (Czech), kafrovn?k prav? (Czech), kafur (Urdu), kamfer (Norwegian, Swedish), kamferboom (Dutch), kamferipuu (Finnish), kamfertr?d (Swedish), k?mforfa (Hungarian), kamfornii lavr (Russian), kamfornoe derevo (Russian), Kampfer (German), Kampferbaum (German), kapoor (Hindi), kapur (Hindi), kapur barus (Malay), kapuur (Nepali), karabun (Thai), karpoora (Hindi), karpur (Hindi), karpura (Sanskrit, Kannada), karpurah (Sanskrit), karpuram (Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil), karpuramu (Telugu), korichnik kamfornii (Russian), kusunoki (Japanese), laurel camphor, laurier du Japon (French), lauro canforo (Italian), Laurus camphora, limonene, mushkapur (Hindi), nagi camphor, ngai camphor, nok na mu (Korean), op choei yuan (Thai - central Thailand), pacca karpuram (Telugu), pacchakarpuram (Hindi), patckafur (Urdu), payok (Burmese), payuk (Burmese), phrom send (Thai - Shan, northern Thailand), Ravintsara aromatica, sabinene, subhramsu (Malayalam), terpinen-4-ol, true camphor, viridiflorol, xiang zhang shu (Chinese), zhang (Chinese), zhang nao (Chinese), zhang shu (Chinese).
Selected combination products: JointFlex? (camphor, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, peppermint oil), Korodin? Herz-Kreislauf-Tropfen (D-camphor from Chinese Cinnamomum camphora plus liquid extract of fresh hawthorn berries), Triaminic? Cherry Menthol Vapor Patches, SatogesicT, Campho-Phenique?, Vicks? VapoRub?.

Background

Camphor can be a natural or synthetic product or a mixture of both. The natural product comes from the wood of the camphor tree, Cinnamomum camphora, which is typically found in Asia. Camphor has been used as a flavoring agent in Asian cuisine and in religious ceremonies.
Camphor and camphor-containing products are generally applied to the skin. Ingestion of such camphor-containing products may result in poisoning and cause a number of adverse and potentially fatal side effects. However, Germany's Commission E has approved camphor for internal and external use for hypotonic circulatory regulation disorders, mucus discharge in the respiratory tract, muscular rheumatism (a painful muscle condition), or cardiac symptoms.
Several combination products containing camphor and other supplements, such as glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, peppermint oil, and hawthorn berries, have been shown to reduce osteoarthritis pain and to benefit patients with a type of low blood pressure called orthostatic hypotension.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Studies in humans have shown that a German combination product of camphor and hawthorn berry extract (Korodin? Herz-Kreislauf-Tropfen) may improve blood pressure in patients with orthostatic hypotension. These findings represent good evidence for this use; however, additional studies are needed.

 B


Studies in humans have shown that a German combination product of camphor and hawthorn berry extract (Korodin? Herz-Kreislauf-Tropfen) may improve blood pressure in patients with orthostatic hypotension. These findings represent good evidence for this use; however, additional studies are needed.

 B


Human studies have shown that a combination product including camphor, glucosamine sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate (JointFlex?Pain Relieving Cream) may reduce the pain of knee osteoarthritis. These findings represent good evidence for this use; however, additional studies are needed.

 B


Human studies have shown that a combination product including camphor, glucosamine sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate (JointFlex?Pain Relieving Cream) may reduce the pain of knee osteoarthritis. These findings represent good evidence for this use; however, additional studies are needed.

 B


Early evidence suggests that a German combination product of camphor and extract of hawthorn berries (Korodin? Herz-Kreislauf-Tropfen) may reduce overall symptoms in patients with functional heart disease. While these early findings are promising, additional research is required before any conclusion may be made.

 C


Early evidence suggests that a German combination product of camphor and extract of hawthorn berries (Korodin? Herz-Kreislauf-Tropfen) may reduce overall symptoms in patients with functional heart disease. While these early findings are promising, additional research is required before any conclusion may be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose of camphor in adults. The German Commission E recommends a general dose of 30-300 milligrams taken by mouth as the average daily dosage of liquid or solid preparations of camphor. For application to the skin, Commission E recommends a general dose of 10-20% in semisolid preparations of camphor, or 1-10% in camphor spirits.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Camphor, when used as part of the combination product Korodin? Herz-Kreislauf-Tropfen, may increase blood pressure. Caution is advised in patients taking drugs that affect blood pressure.
Camphor may interact with agents that affect the nerves, antibiotics, antifungals, anti-inflammatory agents, drugs that are toxic to the liver or kidneys, iron salts, and pain relievers.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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