Camphor Essential Oil Benefits, Uses, & Recipes - Simply Earth Blog (2024)

Have you ever heard of Camphor Essential Oil? This powerful oil is derived from the camphor tree and has been used for centuries in traditional and modern medicine. It’s known for its many benefits, such as its ability to improve respiratory function, promote relaxation, and soothe sore muscles. Sounds pretty amazing, right? Well, it gets even better. With so many uses and benefits, there are also plenty of recipes to try out. From DIY vapor rubs to homemade muscle balms, camphor oil is a versatile ingredient you won’t want to miss out on. So, let’s dive into the world of Camphor Essential Oil and all it has to offer.

Benefits

Supports Joint Function

Camphor Essential Oil has some serious benefits for your joints. A recent study¹ showed that it has both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can help ease joint pain and reduce inflammation. That’s probably why Tiger Balm, the famous pain relief ointment, contains Camphor!

Cleanses Skin

One of the top benefits of Camphor Essential Oil is its ability to thoroughly cleanse the skin. In fact, a study² has shown that Camphor has significantly higher antifungal properties compared to other oils tested. This means that using this natural oil on your skin can help eliminate harmful fungus and keep it looking healthy and radiant.

Soothes Respiration

According to a clinical trial³, using an ointment containing Camphor Essential Oil can lead to quicker nasal cooling and decongestion times. This means that Camphor Essential Oil could be a great option for those struggling with sinus congestion or other related respiratory issues. And the best part? Camphor is a completely natural solution.

Soothes Muscles

Are you looking for a natural way to ease those achy muscles? Give Camphor Essential Oil a try! A study⁴ has shown that this powerful oil has an amazing antispasmodic effect, making it the perfect solution for anyone experiencing muscle spasms or cramps. Not only can Camphor Essential Oil help soothe tired muscles, but it can also help soothe discomfort, as mentioned above.

Promotes Circulation

One of the benefits of using Camphor Essential Oil is that it promotes circulation. A study⁵ has shown that camphor induces both cold and warm sensations, which leads to an increase in both skin and muscle blood flow in humans. So not only does it provide a nice soothing feeling, but it also has a real physiological effect on the body. Now that’s impressive!

Promotes Youthful Skin

Did you know that Camphor Essential Oil promotes youthful skin? Research⁶ suggests that it’s a powerful wound-healing and antiwrinkle agent with tons of potential for use in cosmetics. So, if you’re looking for a natural and effective way to keep your skin looking radiant and healthy, consider trying camphor.

Uses & Recipes

All-Natural Skincare Recipes

Camphor Essential Oil has been used for centuries to promote healthy skin and slow the aging process. Try adding a few drops of Camphor Essential Oil to your skincare routine to reap its many benefits. From toners to serums to DIY facials, the possibilities are endless with this all-natural ingredient.

All-Natural Personal Care Recipes

If you’re looking to switch up your personal care routine, consider Camphor Essential Oil. Not only does it clean your skin, but it also has other possible benefits like soothing discomfort and even helping with respiration. This essential oil is a popular choice in all-natural personal care recipes, like lotions, massage oils, and soaps.

• Bug Off Lotion Bars
• Soothing Zinc Body Butter
• Oil Pull Mouth Rinse

Diffuser Blend Recipes

Not only can it be used in diffuser blend recipes to create an exceptionally pleasing aroma, but it can also help soothe respiratory problems and ease flu symptoms. With just a few drops of Camphor Essential Oil in your diffuser, you can create an ambiance that not only smells great but also leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

• Meditation Diffuser Blend
• Happy Dance Diffuser Blend

Roll-Ons and Other Aromatherapy Recipes

Camphor Essential Oil is a versatile essential oil that can be used in many different ways to bring the goodness of aromatherapy into your life. One great option is to make your own roll-on with camphor – this allows you to take the soothing and invigorating properties of this oil with you wherever you go. You can also try out other aromatherapy recipes that incorporate camphor oil for different benefits, such as making a fragrant candle.

• Camp Out Candle
• Tiki Torch Roll-On

Blends Well With…

Some people consider Camphor’s scent pungent. However, others love the clean menthol, medicinal, nose-opening aroma of this oil. Camphor is a clear and thin essential oil which well with Lavender, Melissa, Rosemary, Sweet Basil, Chamomile, and Cajeput Essential Oils.

What’s the Science Behind This Oil?

See Also

Camphor overdose: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Camphor Essential Oil History

Camphor trees are originally from Japan and Taiwan, but they managed to spread to other warm and tropical countries like India, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. Ayurvedic practitioners have been using camphor in their medicine for a long time, helping with a variety of ailments like skin issues, stomach problems, and even mental health issues like speech impediments and psychological disorders! Did you know that in the 14th century, camphor was used as a disinfectant during the bubonic plague? Now that we know more about this interesting oil, it’s no wonder it’s still being used today for its many health benefits.

Chemical Constituents

1,8-Cineole

1-8-cineole gives Camphor Essential Oil its camphor-like aroma. This same component makes Camphor Essential Oil effective in soothing respiratory-related illnesses due to its antimicrobial, mucolytic, broncholytic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

α-Pinene

A-pinene is another organic compound found in Camphor Essential Oil. It has a wide range of properties such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, aiding memory, antibiotic resistance modulation, anticoagulant, antitumor, antimalarial, antioxidant, and analgesic effects.

Limonene

Limonene gives camphor its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, nervous system stimulant, psychostimulant, mood-balancing, appetite suppressant, detoxifying, and digestive properties.

What Earthies Are Saying About It

Things to Remember When Using This Oil

Always dilute an essential oil when using it on the skin. This essential oil is unlikely to cause skin irritation when diluted properly. If the oil has been oxidized (left with the cap off for long periods of time) it is more likely to cause skin irritation. Check out this dilution chart for diluting this essential oil properly.

This oil is generally not safe to use if you are pregnant. Consult your doctor prior to use.

This essential oil blend is safe to use with kids age 10+.

Cats may find this oil irritating. However, we do not expect your cat to be disturbed if you use this oil on yourself. Just be mindful of your pet’s behavior. For more information on using essential oils with cats, check out this blog post.

Dogs may find this oil irritating. However, we do not expect your dog to be disturbed if you use this oil on yourself. Just be mindful of your pet’s behavior. For more information on using essential oils with dogs, check out this blog post.

We don’t recommend ingesting essential oils unless under the direction of a doctor certified in aromatherapy. For more information on why we don’t ingest essential oils check out this blog post.

*Please note: This post is a compilation of suggestions made by those that have extensively used essential oils and has not been verified scientifically with clinical tests nor reviewed by medical experts. It is anecdotal information and should be treated as such. For serious medical concerns, please consult your doctor. The statements given in this blog post have not been verified by the FDA

References:

1. Dos Santos E, Leitão MM, Aguero Ito CN, et al. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory articular effects of essential oil and camphor isolated from Ocimum kilimandscharicum Gürke leaves. 2021 Apr
2. Mahilrajan S, Nandakumar J, Kailayalingam R, Manoharan NA, SriVijeindran S. Screening the antifungal activity of essential oils against decay fungi from palmyrah leaf handicrafts. 2014 Aug
3. Smith A, Matthews O. Aromatic ointments for the common cold: what does the science say? 2022 Aug
4. Heghes SC, Vostinaru O, Rus LM, Mogosan C, Iuga CA, Filip L. Antispasmodic Effect of Essential Oils and Their Constituents: A Review. 2019 Apr
5. Kotaka T, Kimura S, Kashiwayanagi M, Iwamoto J. Camphor induces cold and warm sensations with increases in skin and muscle blood flow in human. 2014
6. Tran TA, Ho MT, Song YW, Cho M, Cho SK. Camphor Induces Proliferative and Anti-senescence Activities in Human Primary Dermal Fibroblasts and Inhibits UV-Induced Wrinkle Formation in Mouse Skin. 2015 Dec