Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Camphor

Camphor, long known for its stimulating properties, is a general tonic. Energising, it restores strength and vigour. Refreshing, this oil can also be used to clear the respiratory tract.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Suitable

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Appropriate

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Appropriate

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Appropriate

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Possible but not recommended

Features

Properties and uses

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Bark

Botanical name

Cinnamomum camphora CT cineole

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Properties and uses

Health

Find out more

Properties

Camphor essential oil is renowned for its healthy properties:

  • High in antiseptic active ingredients

  • General tonic, stimulant

  • Respiratory, expectorant

  • Helps stimulate the immune system

  • Helps activate blood circulation

Uses

It is traditionally used to improve the following conditions:

  • Respiratory problems and viral infections: flu, colds, bronchitis, coughs, winter infections, etc.

  • Poor blood circulation: heavy legs, swollen feet, etc.

  • Tiredness and asthenia

In practice

Respiratory comfort: blend into your oil blend. Massage or rub your mixture into the chest and upper back.

Light legs: Mix with your oil blend. Massage or rub the mixture into the area concerned.

Air purification, respiratory comfort: Air diffusion.

Precautions

  • Do not use during the first three months of pregnancy, while breastfeeding or on children under the age of 6.

  • Always use diluted on the skin. As a general rule, always test your product in the crease of the elbow at least 48 hours before use.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Avoid contact with the eyes.

  • Certain natural compounds contained in this essential oil may present a risk of allergy for certain individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic formula (in accordance with the 7th Amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive (2003/15/EC)): limonene, linalool.

Find out more

The camphor tree is an iconic tree associated with the city of Hiroshima. It was the first tree, along with the Ginkgo biloba, to recover from the atomic bombing! Originally from South-East Asia, this tree, which can grow to 25 metres, has acclimatised to many other regions where it is considered an invasive species. High in purifying, cleansing and tonic active ingredients, the essential oil is extracted from the bark of the cineole chemotype of this tree, which has multiple "chemotypes" (chemical variants) depending on the biochemical composition of the essential oils extracted.

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Bibliography

1

'Huiles essentielles - 2000 ans de découvertes aromathérapeutiques pour une médecine d'avenir'

Dominique Baudoux

2

'The Practice Of Aromatherapy'

Dr Jean Valnet - Éditions Maloine

3

'L'Aromathérapie exactement'

P. Franchomme and Dr D. Pénoël

4

'La bible de l'aromathérapie'

Nerys Purchon

5

'L'ABC des huiles essentielles'

Dr Telphon

6

'Aromatherapy'

Nelly Grosjean

7

'Les huiles essentielles pour votre santé'

G. Roulier

8

'Les cahiers pratiques de l'aromathérapie française - Pédiatrie'

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris

9

Aroma-News newsletters

NARD Association

10

'Aromatherapy - Healing with essential oils'

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris