Practical
Plants

Cinnamomum camphora

Camphor

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Lauraceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
6 m
Spread
6 m
Fertility
Diptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Diptera

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The plant is poisonous in large quantities[21]. Large doses can cause respiratory failure in children[20]. See the report below on medicinal uses for more information.

Edible uses

Young shoots and leaves - cooked[2][10]. Some caution is suggested because there is a report that the plant is poisonous in large quantities. The old leaves are dried and used as a spice[2][10].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Camphor has a long history of herbal use in the Orient with a wide range of uses. It has occasionally been used internally in the treatment of hysteria, but in modern day herbalism it is mainly used as the essential oil and internal use is not advised[18]. The wood and leaves are analgesic, antispasmodic, odontalgic, rubefacient, stimulant. An infusion is used as an inhalant in the treatment of colds and diseases of the lungs[22][23][9][11][15]. The plant is more commonly used in the form of the essential oil which can be obtained by distillation of the chipped branches, trunk and wood of the tree, or from the leaves and twigs. Wood 24 - 40 years old is normally used[20]. The essential oil is anthelmintic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, carminative, diaphoretic, sedative and tonic[21][14][15][16]. It is used externally in liniments for treating joint and muscle pains, balms for chilblains, chapped lips, cold sores, skin diseases etc and as an inhalant for bronchial congestion[15]. Some caution is advised, excessive use causes vomiting, palpitations, convulsions and death[15]. It is possible that the oil can be absorbed through the skin, causing systemic poisoning[15]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Piercing'[13]. It is used in the treatment of digestive complaints and depression[15].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Aromatherapy
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

The essential oil 'camphor' is obtained from the leaves and twigs[1][21][22][23][25]. It is extracted commercially by passing a current of steam through the wood chips, 30 kilos of wood yielding 1 kilo of camphor[5]. Camphor is used medicinally, in perfumes, as an insecticide and also to make celluloid and as a wood preservative[8]. It can also be put in shoes to cure perspiring feet[11] (probably by acting as a deodorant rather than preventing perspiration[K]). The wood has been burnt as a fumigant during epidemics[17]. Wood - beautifully grained, light brownish, takes a good polish[19]. It is used for making furniture, cabinets, the interior finish of buildings etc[21][22][19].

Product or use
Deodorant
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Preservative
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Banks of streams in China[3], to elevations of 750 metres[20].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - the seed has a short viability and is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[12]. Remove the fruit pulp since this can inhibit germination[12]. Germination can take 1 - 6 months at 20°c[6]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in a warm greenhouse[26]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for at least their first two winters outdoors. Cuttings of semi-ripe side shoots, 7cm with a heel, June/July in a frame with bottom heat[26].

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils[23] but prefers a fertile sandy moisture-retentive well-drained soil in full sun or light part-day shade[12]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 8. Camphor is grown commercially in China and Japan as a medicinal tree and also for its essential oil[22]. It is only hardy in the milder areas of Britain[4][7], though it can survive occasional lows down to about -10°c when fully dormant[23]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. There are various large trees that are growing well in Cornwall[24]. A very slow growing tree[21]. The roots are very sensitive to disturbance[6]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[12].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

    ↩

  4. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  5. Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-292-78958-3

    ↩

  6. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  7. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

  8. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

  9. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩

  10. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  11. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  13. Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-9517723-0-9

    ↩

  14. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  15. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  16. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  17. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  18. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  19. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩1↩2

  20. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  21. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  22. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  23. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  24. Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.

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  25. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  26. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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