The genus Cinnamomum

Camphor Tree 223
Yu-Sho oil:
Specific gravity – 0.942 (at 13°C), 0.9712 (16°C)
Optical rotation – 18°53 to 29°51
Refractive index
Sho-Gyu oil (C. kanahirai):
– 1.4746 (at 19°C) to 1.4789 (20°C)
Specific gravity (at 9°C) – 0.910
Optical rotation at 9°C – 23°15
Refractive index at 20°C – 1.4748
Acid number – 0.63
Ester number – 0.65
Saponification number
after acetylation
– 100.7
Alcohol content (calculated as C10H18O) – 30.05%
Obha-Kusu (or Pha-Chium) oil (C. micranthum):
Specific gravity (20/4) – 1.089
Optical rotation (26°) – 0°14
Refractive index (20°C) – 1.5457
Acid number – 0.5
Ester number – 3.5
Saponification number after acetylation – 5.7
Safrole content – 90% or more
Physico-chemical properties of fractionated camphor oil
White (light) camphor oil:
Boiling range – 160–185°C
Specific gravity – 0.870–0.880
Optical rotation – 15°020°0
Refractive index (25°C) – 1.4663
Camphor content – Below 2.5%
Cineole content
Brown camphor oil (red camphor oil):
It is reddish brown in colour.
– 20–25%
Boiling range – 210–250°C
Specific gravity – 1.000–1.035
Optical rotation – 0° to 12°C
Refractive index at 25°C – 1.4663
Camphor content – Below 2.5%
Cineole content
Blue camphor oil (green camphor oil):
– 20–25%
This is a higher boiling fraction and exhibits a blue colour.
Boiling range – 220–300°C
Specific gravity (15°C) – Below 1.000
Refractive index (25° C) – About 1.5050
Camphor content – Below 2.5°C