Camphor: India's Most Spiritual Plant

Camphor is considered as the most spiritual plant in India. With its medicinal and spiritual uses since centuries, camphor has a lot to offer us. Find out its benefits in this article. 

In India, camphor (called as kapoor in Hindi) can be found in almost every home as we Hindus use it for our prayers and rituals. I LOVE the smell of camphor - reminds me of my grandma and how she would use camphor in our temple prayers and rituals especially during the festivals. Like I said, we always had camphor in our home - it is considered one of the most spiritual plants in India and this is why you will find it in all  the Hindu temples.
​
Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) -

Camphor is the powder that comes from the bark and the wood of the camphor laurel tree. Camphor is colorless and has a strong scent to it with many uses in aromatherapy as well as for medicinal purposes. Camphor tree is found in East and South-East Asia  - a large beautiful lush green tree. 

This camphor we are going to talk about in this article is the white camphor (the only one that is not toxic - blue, brown and yellow camphor are toxic) sold in Indian stores everywhere and one which is considered very spiritual. Camphor is very easy to find - you can use camphor blocks or oil.

Camphor has been used in holistic medicine since centuries due to its many benefits. Let's see what are the benefits of camphor and how this spiritual plant can help you. 

Benefits & Uses of Camphor -

Camphor Incense or Camphor Blocks for Outdoor Uses - 

-Burning camphor blocks or camphor incense inside or outside can help to get rid of germs and mosquitoes

-Camphor is known to purify the air due to its antibacterial and antiviral properties so burning it in homes or outside is great for respiratory health

Camphor Benefits for Skin & Hair Uses - 

-Camphor helps ease skin irritations and can help with dryness, eczema, acne as well as itching

-Camphor is anti-inflammatory so it can help with conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and redness

-Camphor can be used along with coconut oil to remove dark spots, acne spots, pimple marks and age spots

-Camphor can help boost collagen and thus can be an effective remedy against wrinkles

Hair - 

-Camphor helps with dry scalp and dandruff as well as promotes thick hair growth

-Camphor is used as an effective remedy in preventing or reversing gray hair 

-Camphor is antimicrobial so it can help prevent hair and scalp from bacterial and fungal infections

-Camphor is cooling so it can help boost blood circulation to the scalp and thus help in hair growth

-Camphor can help with lice infestations

Camphor Benefits for Body, Sleep, Stress & Tumors - 

-Camphor helps with sleeping (induces sleep) and is great at reducing tension from the scalp area

-Camphor helps with pains and treats muscles stiffness as it is great at boosting blood circulation and has an analgesic effect on the nerves - it warms and cools the nerves and then warms them again to further boost blood circulation and ease the pain as well as the stiffness

-Camphor is great at calming headaches and migraines

​-Camphor helps with colds, coughs, sinus, congestion, fever - apply some camphor infused oil or camphor essential oil mixed with a carrier oil on the chest or the temples to find relief

-Camphor oil is known to have antitumor activity and boosts immune cells - especially when it comes to skin cancer

How To Apply? -

Infuse Camphor in Coconut Oil - Use very little camphor and just infuse some coconut oil with camphor blocks or you can add one to two drops of camphor essential oil in coconut oil or any carrier oil of your choice and apply on the chest for cold and congestion.

For Skin Issues & Hair Growth - Infuse camphor in some coconut oil and apply with fingertips on your scalp or skin areas that need healing and massage for a few minutes for maximum benefits. Keep the ratio of camphor to coconut oil to one part camphor to ten parts coconut oil (1:10) - you may increase it if needed but always start slowly and with the lowest and safest dose. 

For Aches & Pains (pain/aches/joints/back/neck/headaches/migraines) - Same as above; infuse some camphor blocks or camphor oil in coconut oil and massage as needed. Warm the infused oil for maximum benefits.

Burning Camphor Incense During Tough Times -

Going through tough times? 

Camphor incense is known to boost positive energy in the home, purify the air, eliminate negative energy in the home and the surroundings and can help you with sleep as sleep is usually the first thing we humans struggle with when we go through tough times.

Camphor's aroma is known to induce sleep and it also helps with relieving anxiety and stress - light some camphor incense or cones and see if that helps you feel better.

Camphor in Temples or for Spiritual Reasons - 

Camphor is burned in temples due to the belief that burning camphor pleases the Gods and the Goddesses. It is also believed that the temple devotees get blessed, enlightened and connected to the divine. When camphor is burned it leaves no residue or trace thus symbolizing complete union with God. 

It is also believed that when camphor is burned, the fumes that are released have healing energies and are excellent for transmuting negative energies into positive ones. So, burning some camphor incense or cones or using camphor essential oil in a diffuser can do wonders for your home environment when it comes to increasing positive energy and vibrations. 

Tension Relief Oil Remedy - Camphor & Cloves -

Coming home stressed from office work and not feeling good?

Or, stress causing hair fall or tension in the scalp?

Try this camphor head oil massage remedy -

Ingredients - 

-Coconut oil (or any of your choice) - About 4 oz.

-Camphor block (crush it with hands and let it dissolve) - Just 1 or 2

-Fenugreek seeds (optional)

-Cloves - 4-5

On low heat, infuse it very well and then apply on your scalp - massage with fingertips for a few minutes to increase your blood circulation, boost hair growth and to relax the scalp and the hair follicles.

This is it - sleep well after this.

Precautions -

Camphor is NOT recommended for those who suffer from seizures or epilepsy.

Also, make sure to not exceed 11% camphor in your infused solution.

Camphor should not be used internally ever!

Keep away from eyes and do not apply on open wounds or burns.

For all other uses, always patch test first.

​-Somyata

Ref. (1). Ref. (2). Ref. (3)