I love the smell of camphor; even the artificial kind. It evokes memories of visits to temples where the priest brings around the lit aarthi plate with burning camphor on it. I would cup my hand over the flame and trap the heady smell of camphor and inhale it deeply. In some temples pacha karpooram or edible camphor is added to the prasadam water along with tulsi leaves. One always felt like asking for more!
There are two main kinds of camphors; the natural and the synthetic. The natural one is derived from the wood of Camphor Laurel or Cinnamomum camphora. I am trying to find some young saplings to plant in my farm, but haven’t been successful in locating them. Probably the Forest Department has some tree saplings in the hills stations. Since the trees have to be more than 20 years old for obtaining oil and about 50 years for good oil production, I guess my daughter and grandchildren will have to do it.
In traditional Tamil cooking, pacha karpooram or edible camphor is added in minute quantities to paysam/kheer and to boondi laddus imparting its trademark fragrance to the dish. About 80 per cent of the world’s supply of natural camphor comes from the island of Taiwan. Japan and China are also important producers. India and the US (Florida) produce in small quantities. Synthetic camphor is derived from a distillate of turpentine and is the one used mostly in our temples. This camphor is not edible. Natural camphor is usually seen as colourless, translucent whitish crystals.
In the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia, one of the popular tailams is Karpuradi Tailam which is a blend of camphor or karpooram and oil (usually gingelly oil). About 10 ml of oil is mixed with 2.5 gm of camphor. This is extremely effective for joint and muscular pains. Please start using these tailams when you detect those twinges of pain. Nothing is very effective against a disease or joint pain which is decades old. At best, it can prevent further deterioration or alleviate the disease a little. Since oil, by its very nature, subdues vaayu, the aggravation of which dosha causes pain, you should get good relief by the use of this tailam. Camphor has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
I particularly like this tailam because of its wonderful fragrance. You can apply this oil on the joints or elsewhere (avoid applying the oil on the face or groin area) before going to bed, allow the oil to soak for about 10 to 15 minutes, or for as long as it is practically possible, and then shower with hot water. Do not use soap; just rub dry with an absorbent towel. You will feel wonderful and have a restful sleep surrounded by fragrant camphor vapours.
The oil of camphor is available as an essential oil and is used in aromatherapy. It is said to calm nervous depression. It is also said to be useful in clearing lung congestion. I remember this nursery rhyme from my school days: John Brown’s baby had a cold upon his chest and he rubbed it up with camphorated oil. While using camphorated oil for topical applications, do not use the essential oil alone; you must get one that can be used on the skin directly. I normally use the Ayurvedic oil which smells delightful and is pretty effective.
If you have an aromatherapy diffuser, you can mix some essential oil of camphor with water, or you can float a few pieces of camphor on water, and light a small candle underneath to keep away mosquitoes, files and other insects. Be careful to place the dispenser away from an open flame or other inflammable materials. Be safe, have fun!
The writer was earlier Health Secretary, Tamil Nadu, and is currently Additional Chief Secretary, and Chairman and MD, Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at www.arogyamantra.blogspot.com