Plant description
His home countries are China and Japan. Is also cultivated in cultures. The tree can reach a height of 30 m. It grows gnarled and branched, the leaves are oblong, elliptical, with downy hairs on the underside.
The inconspicuous, yellowish to greenish flowers are arranged in long-stemmed, less flowered panicles. From these develop purple-red, almost black, fleshy fruits, ovoid to spherical. They ripen in autumn.
Medicinally used plant parts
Mainly the lower trunk sections of older trees. They contain the most essential oil. The trees are felled, crushed, crushed and the essential oil is extracted by water distillation.
Ingredients
Essential oil (ravintsara oil)
Curative effects and application
The internal use of camphor is not common, except as a homeopathic remedy. Formerly used as a heart medicine and for coughs. Today camphor is known, primarily as an alcoholic camphor extract, but also in ointments, as a means of rubbing in for muscle pain and rheumatic pain.
Combination with other medicinal plants
In ointments camphor is often found together with rosemary oil, lavender oil and thyme oil.
Application in homeopathy
Camphora is used in cases of circulatory collapse with cold sweat, paleness and blue coloration of the skin. There is nausea, pulse is small and barely perceptible, the patient is scared to death. In this case 1 to 2 drops are applied directly to the tongue.
Also for flu with circulatory problems and great weakness. The symptoms worsen in cold, through exercise and at night. After sweating improvement. Commonly used in the potencies D3, D4, D6.
Side effects
Side effects may occur as soon as the camphor is applied in concentrated form to the skin. Burning and inflammation may occur.
