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Camphor (zhang nao)
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Family |
Lauraceae |
Genus and specie |
Cinnamomum camphora or Laurus camphora |
Zhangnao (Chinese).
The camphor tree is evergreen and its pointed shiny leaves give off a distinctive camphor aroma. Mature leaves are about 15 cm long. The tree bears flowers in summer that appear in clusters and are small and yellow to white. The flowers are followed by small (up to 9 mm wide) black fruits. Indigenous to Japan and tropical South East Asia.
Wood is distilled for its essential oil, but people also use the leaves as a herb.
Stimulates the circulatory and nervous system, Bitter and aromatic herb that combats inflammation and eases spasms and pain. Camphor is reported to enhance digestion and to kill internal parasites.
It has definite antiseptic, spasmolytic (in bronchial tubes), anti-irritant, carminative, circulatory, as well as analeptic properties. Although the smell stimulates the cold receptors in the mucus membranes, it does not have a direct decongestive effect.
Camphorated oil is subject to legal restriction in certain countries and large doses of camphor are toxic.
Excess causes heart palpitations, vomiting, convulsions, and can lead to death.
The oil is absorbed through the skin, and care must be taken not to use a liniment, balm, cream, or blend containing this oil in too high concentrations, or to use it excessively, as this may cause toxicity.
This must not be taken as advice against using a product containing camphor, but rather as a warning to use camphor on small areas or on occasion, and to take note of the concentration of camphor in a product.
High doses applied to the face or nose should not be used on children, as it may cause respiratory arrest.
None.
To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.
Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us. | |
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