The smell of camphor is familiar to almost everyone. It is difficult to confuse him with anything, he is so peculiar. No less peculiar is the laurel itself, from the wood of which camphor is obtained.
Camphor tree. Description
Camphor laurel, or camphor camphor - an evergreen tree that grows in height up to 30-50 meters. Forms a hip-shaped spreading crown. A strong trunk with a bark of gray color in diameter reaches 5 m. The leaves are smooth, up to 10 cm long, ovoid, pointed, green above, below - light green, as if covered with wax, with numerous translucent dots - these are drops of essential oil.
The flowers of the plant are small, greenish-white or yellowish. The camphor tree blooms from July to late autumn. Fruits - drupes, red or violet-black, up to 1 cm in diameter. Ripen in November. From the essential oil, wood and wood resin, a white crystalline substance is obtained - camphor. It grows in China, Japan, Taiwan, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and Madagascar.
Interesting fact:
Itsukushima Island, in Japan, is known for its Shinto shrines. The gates of the sanctuary - torii, are right in the sea. These torii are a symbol of Japan. The existing gates were built in 1875. Their height is 16 meters. And they are made from a single barrel of camphor laurel.
Biological features
The camphor tree grows very quickly and has a great ability to give shoots from the trunk, branches and even from a stump. Confirms the vitality of camphor laurel and the fact that in Australia and Florida it is recognized as a harmful species. Indeed, camphor tree brought to Australia in 1822 as an ornamental plant, the camphor tree “responded” to the favorable climate of the subtropics so much that it is now declared weedy. And for good reason.
A viable and strong camphor laurel, growing, destroys urban communications with rhizomes. It spoils river embankments, and the content of terpene components in the leaves adversely affects the quality of water and destroys freshwater fish. Camphor laurels have become a real threat to eucalyptus trees that are on the verge of extinction in Australia, in addition, serving as the only source of food for koalas - the pride of the Australian continent.
Interesting Facts:
- The oldest camphor tree was discovered in Taiwan. The age of the long-liver is 1400 years.
- The vitality of the camphor tree is also evidenced by the fact that its roots survived in the epicenter of a nuclear explosion in Hiroshima. 5 species of trees, including camphor laurel, were revived - they gave fresh shoots and saved the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.
Camphor
Essential oil is extracted from camphor laurel. The raw materials for it are old trees, since a large amount of oil is contained in the lower part. The tree is cut down, divided into parts to obtain camphor oil. To process a cut on a tree and grind into powder - the work of a special apparatus with water vapor. As a result, camphor oil is formed. Colorless crystals with a characteristic odor are obtained from it - this is natural camphor.
Interesting Facts:
- In ancient times, camphor was worn around the neck in bags in order to inhale its aroma. Chinese healers were convinced that the smell strengthens the lungs and nerves, and also cleanses the brain. Children wore a charm with pieces of camphor as a protection against diseases.
- In southeast Asia, camphor is valued as an incense for meditation, which cleanses the space and promotes relaxation. According to Ayurveda, camphor reveals feelings, gives clarity to the mind.
Camphor oil in medicine
Camphor has long been known for its therapeutic effect. It is a stimulant, antiseptic, expectorant, analgesic, antispasmodic. Special properties lie in its ability to restore body functions. Before the advent of modern devices, patients were given camphor with asphyxiation to maintain breathing.
It has camphor and a vasoconstrictor effect, promotes the release of sputum from the lungs. A camphor solution is also used in the treatment of heart failure, pneumonia, and poisoning. Currently, it is mainly used as an antiseptic and local irritant.
Camphor tree has found wide application in medicine. The treatment methods are different. Currently, in pharmacies you can find such drugs:
- camphor ointment - for grinding with pain in the joints;
- camphor solution in paraffin oil - with inflammation of the middle ear;
- camphor alcohol - for grinding;
- 10% camphor oil - externally for rheumatism, radiculitis, arthritis;
- 20% solution - administered subcutaneously in heart or respiratory failure;
- "Denta" - tooth drops with camphor oil, used for toothache.
Interesting fact:
Avicenna emphasized the healing properties of camphor, saying that there are two drugs for all diseases, and one of them is camphor. Already at that time, he noted all the healing actions of camphor, described them in detail in the "Canon of Medicine".
Camphor oil in cosmetology
Camphor tree oil has also become a fairly popular component in cosmetology. Use it as part of drugs, and as an independent tool. Camphor oil has the ability to regulate the sebaceous glands. Therefore, it is a component in the composition of funds for the care of problem and oily skin.
The anti-inflammatory properties of camphor were also useful in cosmetology. Creams, masks and tonics gently cleanse the skin and are successfully used in the treatment of acne and acne. As representatives of the fair sex, if a few drops of camphor are added to the care product, the skin tone is leveled. Camphor masks eliminate age spots and freckles.
