Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) Research

Family: Lauracae

Camphor is a potent essential oil with constituents including 1,8-cineole, camphor, and safrole.  It can be found as an ingredient in over the counter products including Vick’s Vapor Rub and Tiger Balm.  It has been used to help with coughs and muscle pains.  White camphor is preferred, having the lowest level of toxic constituents.

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• WebMD. (n.d.).  Camphor.  Retrieved in November, 2015.  Retrieved from www.webmd.com.
• Lis-Balchin, M.  (2006).  Aromatherapy science, A guide for healthcare professionals.  Pharmaceutical Press.  London.
• Tisserand, R. & Young, R. (2014).  Essential Oil Safety.  Second Edition.  Churchill, Livingstone, Elsevier.
• In this review of research, essential oils from the family Lauraceae family have shown significant antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. From: Damasceno, C. S. B., Higaki, N. T. F., Dias, J. D. F. G., Miguel, M. D., & Miguel, O. G. (2019). Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Essential Oils in the Family Lauraceae: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Planta medica.

INSECTICIDAL / LARVICIDAL

• Lice infesting of buffaloes was significantly reduced after treatment with camphor, peppermint, chamomile, and onion and rosemary essential oils. Moreover, the oils significantly repelled fly species:  Musca domestica, Stomoxys calcitrans, Haematobia irritans and Hippobosca equina.  From: Khater, H. F., Ramadan, M. Y., & El-Madawy, R. S. (2009). Lousicidal, ovicidal and repellent efficacy of some essential oils against lice and flies infesting water buffaloes in Egypt. Veterinary parasitology, 164(2), 257-266.
• Thirteen oils from 41 plants (camphor, thyme, amyris, lemon, cedarwood, frankincense, dill, myrtle, juniper, black pepper, verbena, helichrysum and sandalwood) induced 100% mortality after 24 hours of mosquito larvae.  From:  Amer, A., & Mehlhorn, H. (2006). Larvicidal effects of various essential oils against Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex larvae (Diptera, Culicidae). Parasitology research, 99(4), 466-472.

IMPROVED RESPIRATION

• In participants with the common cold who inhaled a mixture of aromatic vapors of eucalyptus, menthol, camphor, breathing was improved.  From:  Cohen, B. M., & Dressier, W. E. (1982). Acute aromatics inhalation modifies the airways. Effects of the common cold. Respiration, 43(4), 285-293.

ANTIFUNGAL / ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIMICROBIAL

• Camphor, menthol, thymol and oil of Eucalyptus citriodora were the most efficacious components against the test toe fungus organisms.  From:  Ramsewak, R. S., Nair, M. G., Stommel, M., & Selanders, L. (2003). In vitro antagonistic activity of monoterpenes and their mixtures against toe nail fungus pathogens. Phytotherapy Research, 17(4), 376-379.
• Bay, cinnamon, grapefruit, lemongrass, thyme, clary sage, wintergreen, clove, allspice, and camphor essential oils showed varying degrees of inhibition against MRSA and MSSA bacterial samples from hospital patients. From:  Sharma, P. U. J. A., Mack, J. P., & Rojtman, A. (2013). Ten highly effective essential oils inhibit growth of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Int. J. Pharm. Pharmacol, 5(1), 52-54.
• Thirty essential oils were tested against pathogenic plant bacteria. Ceylon cinnamon (leaf and bark), oregano, clove bud, palmarosa, basil, peppermint, rosemary, blue gum, camphor, lemongrass, aniseed, ylang ylang, silver fir, lemon, dwarf mountain pine, bay laurel, scots pine, black cumin, Indian frankincense, bergamot orange, common juniper, bitter orange, and neem showed varying degrees of reaction. From: Popović, T., Milićević, Z., Oro, V., Kostić, I., Radović, V., Jelušić, A., & Krnjajić, S. (2018). A preliminary study of antibacterial activity of thirty essential oils against several important plant pathogenic bacteria. Pesticidi i fitomedicina, 33(3-4), 185-195.

COUGH

• Camphor has been FDA approved for use as a chest rub in concentrations less than 11% (WebMD, n.d.).​

PAIN

• A topical cream containing glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and camphor reduced symptoms of arthritis in the knee.  From:  Cohen, M., Wolfe, R., Mai, T., & Lewis, D. (2003). A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial of a topical cream containing glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and camphor for osteoarthritis of the knee. The Journal of rheumatology, 30(3), 523-528.
• Camphor has been FDA approved as a topical painkiller and for itching in concentrations of 3% to 11% (WebMD, n.d.).

GREEN GARDENING

• Thirty essential oils were tested against pathogenic plant bacteria. Ceylon cinnamon (leaf and bark), oregano, clove bud, palmarosa, basil, peppermint, rosemary, blue gum, camphor, lemongrass, aniseed, ylang ylang, silver fir, lemon, dwarf mountain pine, bay laurel, scots pine, black cumin, Indian frankincense, bergamot orange, common juniper, bitter orange, and neem showed varying degrees of reaction.  From: Popović, T., Milićević, Z., Oro, V., Kostić, I., Radović, V., Jelušić, A., & Krnjajić, S. (2018). A preliminary study of antibacterial activity of thirty essential oils against several important plant pathogenic bacteria. Pesticidi i fitomedicina, 33(3-4), 185-195.

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Last Updated: 8/27/19