The genus Cinnamomum

236 K. Nirmal Babu, P.N. Ravindran and M. Shylaja
In Cuba, camphor is used as an antiseptic, antispasmodic, anaphrodisiac, antiasthmatic
and anthelmintic. It is given in the case of nervous and cruptive fevers. The leaves
are crushed and steeped in alcohol, which is applied as a rub to relieve rheumatic pains
(Roig and Mesa, 1945). In the south western United States, the American Indians
melted camphor and pork fat together or mixed camphor with whisky for the same
purpose (Curtin, 1947). Camphor in olive oil is popular in Mexico and South America
as an application on bruises, concusions and neuralgia and camphor is much employed
in treating rhinitis, asthma, pulmonary congestion, chronic bronchitis and ephysema
(Manfred, 1947). In the past it was a common and nearly universal practice to wear
around the neck a little bag containing a lump of camphor in the belief that the
emanation would cure colds and related ills (Wren, 1970).
The industrial use of camphor is mainly for the manufacturing of explosives, disinfectants
and insecticides. Camphor oil is used in perfumes, soap, detergents, deodorants,
as a solvent in paints, varnishes and inks. White camphor oil, free of safrole, contributes
to the formulation of vanilla and peppermint flavours, and enters into the flavouring of
certain soft drinks, baked products and condiments (Furia and Bellanca, 1971).
Camphor is a basic ingredient in the manufacture of celluloid and films and of medicinal
and pharmaceutical preparations such as ‘vita camphor’ (trans--oxo-camphor),
camphenal (oxo-camphor) and bromo-camphor. Camphor is employed in mineral
flotation, as a deodoriser and antiseptic and in agrochemicals. In India large quantities
of camphor are used for burning during religious ceremonies and in Hindu worship.
All over the world the camphor trees were originally introduced as an ornamental
shade tree and also for wind breaks and hedges. A variant known as the Majestic Beauty,
which has an erect growing habit, large leaves and a rich green colour, is a valuable
avenue tree. In China camphor wood is greatly prized as it does not warp or split, it is
immune to insect attacks and repels moths. It is valued as a cabinet wood especially for
the production of storage chests for clothes. This wood was once commonly used for
panelling, but is today very expensive.
Indeed the versatile camphor tree is a rare gift of nature. Its varied uses, from ornamental
and horticultural to medicinal and industrial, continue to be, exploited by mankind.
References
Anonymous (1950) The Wealth of India, Raw materials Vol. III. CSIR, New Delhi, pp. 173–183.
Anonymous (1966) Pharmacopoeia of India. Pub. Dept. Govt. of India (Ministry of Health).
Baruah, A.K.S. (1975) Volatile oil of Cinnamomum camphora grown in Jorhat, Assam. Indian
J. Pharm., 37, 39–41.
Bhandari, J., Shiva, M.P., Mehra, S.N., Paliwal, G.S. and Jain, P.P. (1992). Prospects of camphor
and camphor oil production from the leaves of pollarded bushes of Cinnamomum camphora:
In S.P. Ray Chandhuri (ed.) Recent Advances in Medicinal, Aromatic and Spice crops, Vol. 2. Today
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Bhandari, J. (1995) Comparative chromatographic studies of Cinnamomum camphora (Linn.) Nees
and Eberm. young pollarded bushes and trees of essential oil. J. Eco. Tax. Bot., 19, 287–292.
Burkill, I.H. (1935) Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula Vol. 2. Crown agents
for the colonies, London.
Chalchat, J.-C. and Valade, I. (2000) Chemical composition of leaf oils of Cinnamomum from
Madagascar : C. zeylanicum Blume, C. camphora L., C. fragrans Baillon and C. anguistifolium.
J. Essential Oil Res., 12, 537–540.