15 Top Uses Of Camphor Oil For Hair, Skin & Health

Camphor oil | Kapoor Oil refers to both camphor essential oil also referred to as Cinnamomum Camphora Oil and edible camphor dissolved in coconut oil. Both have wonderful health benefits and medicinal uses. The scientific name of camphor is Cinnamomum Camphora, it is a white waxy substance that is highly flammable. There are two types of camphor, one is synthetically derived from turpentine and the other is derived from trees.

Usually plant based camphor is got from Camphor Laurel tree and along with other trees like Indian Kapur tree. We call the camphor got from the trees Pachai Karpooram in Tamil, Karpur in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati & Bengali, Pachai Kalpooram in Malayalam, Karpooram in Telugu, Karpoora in Kannada, Kappur in Punjabi and Karpuram in Sanskrit. The synthetically derived camphor is called just Karpooram in Tamil. Camphor essential oil is got by steaming the wood, stump and branches of Camphor Laurel tree which is then rectified and filter pressed.

Types Of Camphor Oil:

After filter pressing, three different types of camphor oil are produced. They are white, yellow and brown camphor oil. The three oils vary in safrole content with brown camphor oil containing around 80 %, yellow camphor oil containing around 10 to 20 % and the white camphor oil containing 8 % or less.

Out of these three only white camphor oil is used for therapeutic purposes and both yellow and brown camphor oils are considered toxic and carcinogenic due to the high amounts of safrole present. Even the white camphor oil should be used with caution as it is a very very powerful oil.

Camphor oil is mainly used for cold, flu, bringing down the inflammation, sprains, arthritis, aches and pains and also as a wonderful insect repellent. Plain camphor oil that is sold in Indian markets is different from camphor essential oil, it is just edible camphor mixed in coconut oil at different concentrations.

Camphor Oil Chemical Constituents:

Camphor Oil Chemical Properties:

How To Make Camphor Oil?

Camphor Oil Side Effects:

Where To Buy Camphor Essential Oil?

15 Top Camphor Oil Uses For Hair Growth, Skin & Health: 

Camphor Oil Uses For Skin:

1. For Acne & Acne Scars:

Massaging the skin with few drops of good quality camphor essential oil along with a base oil will treat acne and acne scars very effectively. Never use camphor essential oil directly on the skin. Some good base oils are extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, wheat germ oil, etc.

2. For Eczema & Psoriasis: 

One of the main problems of eczema and psoriasis is the constant itching and camphor oil is very effective when applied on the affected area as it greatly helps relieve the itching. For the remedy take 2 tbsp of virgin coconut oil in a bowl, add in 5 drops of camphor essential oil to it, mix and apply. You can store this oil for months together and use whenever needed.

3. For Toenail Infections:

For treating toenail infections, take 2 to 3 liters of warm water in wide bowl large enough to immerse your feet. Add in a handful of neem leaves to it, finally add in few drops of camphor essential oil, mix well and soak your feet in it till the water turns cold. Since camphor has anti bacterial properties, it greatly helps treat and prevent toenail infections.

4. For Skin Fairness:

Camphor oil greatly helps treat dark spots and scars in face resulting in fair and glowing skin. But please remember not to go above 8 to 10 % concentration when mixing camphor essential oil to base oils. To use, mix 3 drops of camphor essential oil to 1/4 cup of unrefined coconut oil and massage all over the face few minutes and then wash it off.

5. For Dark Circles:

For treating dark circles, mix 2 to 3 drops of camphor essential oil in 1/4 cup of unrefined castor oil and massage gently around the eyes. Regular use should fade away the dark circles soon.

Camphor Oil Uses For Hair:

6. For Dandruff:

Camphor oil is amazing for treating dandruff in fact camphor is good for treating all scalp infections as it has anti bacterial properties. For treating dandruff, take 2 tbsps of sesame oil in an iron pan and heat till gets warm. Now add in 2 drops of camphor essential oil and mix well. Use this mixture o massage your scalp. Wait for 10 to 15 minutes before having hair wash.

7. For Hair Growth:

Camphor oil improves blood circulation in the area it is applied and increased blood circulation strengthens the hair roots and greatly promotes hair growth. To use, you can use it as a pre-shampoo treatment like mentioned above or mix camphor essential oil in coconut oil and use.

8. For Head Lice:

Camphor oil has amazing anti parasitic properties and it helps get rid of head lice very effectively. For treating head lice, remove the lice with a lice comb as much as you can and now mix 1 tbsp of coconut oil with 2 drops of camphor essential oil and apply all over the scalp. Wait for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off.

9. For Hair Loss:

Camphor oil is great for arresting hair loss if the hair loss is caused due to scalp infections as it has wonderful anti bacterial properties. Since it boosts blood circulation in the scalp, it strengthen the week hair roots thus arresting hair fall.

Camphor Oil Uses For Health:

10. For Pregnant Women: 

In India, we make camphor oil at home to treat pregnancy cramps. Mustard oil or coconut oil is heated with a pinch of edible camphor till it is fully melted. Once it cools down to lukewarm temperature, it is can be massaged on the legs. I followed this remedy regularly when I was pregnant with my son as I suffered from severe leg cramps during the last trimester.

11. For Sprains: 

Since camphor oil reduces pain it can be used as a massage oil when we suffer from minor sprains. To use mix 2 to 3 drops of camphor essential oil in a cup of warm water. Dip a thick cotton cloth in the mixture, wring out excess and apply as a compress.

12. For Cold, Flu & Headache:

If you are suffering from fever, cold and headache, a warm massage on the forehead with coconut oil mixed with camphor essential oil will help relieve headache and it also greatly helps with all the symptoms of cold and flu.

13. For Muscular Aches & Pains:

If you are suffering from aches and pains which can happen when we over exert ourselves, a camphor oil soak will help. For the soak, take a handful of Epsom salt in the tub fill in warm water and add in 3 drops of camphor essential oil and soak in it.

14. For Nervous Depression:

Camphor oil has a soothing effect on our nerves, if you are feeling nervous or depressed, take a diffuser and add in few drops of camphor essential oil and light it. The smell of camphor will greatly help ease the nervousness. The smell of camphor also will help get rid of mosquitoes…

15. For Babies:

Camphor essential oil mixed with coconut oil can be used a chest rub for babies to help relieve chest congestion. To use, warm 2 tbsp of unrefined coconut oil very lightly. Add in 2 drops of camphor essential oil and massage this gently on the chest and forehead. This remedy can be used for babies above 1 year but please be careful about the strength of the camphor oil.