Camphor, also called kaphoor is extracted from the Cinnamomum camphora trees usually found in East Asia. Camphor is an organic compound "terpene" comprehended for its expansive usage in cosmetics like creams or lotions etc, there are a lot of camphor benefits. The oil extracted from the wood of the camphor tree is known as camphor oil. It has been utilized for medical purposes for centuries. Camphor oil usually has a strong odor and powerful taste and absorbs into the skin easily and quickly. Camphor is safe to use as long as it is used correctly. Taking camphor by mouth is harmful.
This universal oil is so common because of its vast use in medicine and skincare due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits. There are many companies like Pharma Health that offer products which have camphor in them to provide people with whitened and smoothened skin. Many people are curious to know how to use camphor for skin whitening. Let's have deeper a look at camphor benefits and uses:
Camphor benefits for skin:
Camphor is widely known and used to treat skin and health problems. There are a number of camphor benefits for the skin. It is an inflammation reducer and is used because of its anti-bacterial and antifungal properties that’s why it is world widely accepted among people due to camphor's benefits and uses. Camphor benefits for the skin include treating acne, irritation, healing burns, inflammation, pain or rashes on the skin. But apart from nursing the skin, can camphor be used to lighten the skin? If so then “how to use camphor for skin whitening?”
Camphor benefits on health:
Apart from just treating the skin, camphor can be useful when it comes to human health. Camphor is highly effective when treating cold problems like sore throat, and blocked nose and it aids congestion. It has some special properties which can treat chest congestion and work on lung inflammation. It is also found to be effective in a number of respiratory disorders. Let’s discuss these skin and health benefits further:
-
Treats Skin irritation or itchiness:
Camphor is known for its soothing properties because it is anti-inflammatory. So whenever camphor is applied on the skin or wherever irritation is taking place, it provides immediate comfort to the irritated spot on your skin lessening the pain. Camphor works as a cooling agent for irritated spots on your skin, and due to its anti-septic properties, camphor also fights against any further infections on your skin.
-
Camphor heals burns:
Since camphor has anti-inflammatory properties, it is most likely to heal burns easily. In 2018, an animal study done by the National Institute of Health discovered that an ointment named “herbal ointment” containing sesame oil, camphor and honey decreased the healing time of burn wounds on rats, these burns were second-degree. The ointment containing camphor was found to be more beneficial than other ointments. To treat, we apply camphor- having ointment on the burn once a day.
-
Treats Acne:
Acne is a common condition in which breakouts or pimples occur on your skin. While acne does not pose any serious threats to your health, it still needs treatment as it can be painful and scarring. As camphor can be toxic in large quantities, it is recommended to use a little bit as a spot treatment, because it is one of the most important camphor benefits, camphor is most likely to fight against acne because of its cooling sensation property.
-
Camphor helps to treat eczema:
Eczema is a disease in which your skin becomes dry, bumpy and itchy. Because camphor has different properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial cooling and moisturizing sensation, it easily helps to treat eczema. It treats eczema by providing coldness to the skin, avoiding irritation and further infections.
-
Deals with Toenail fungus:
Toenail fungus, also known as Nail fungus is a condition in which the fungal infection occurs inside your nails. It usually starts with a small yellow spot in the nail and gradually it expands. Camphor can treat this condition when it is applied with menthol and lemon eucalyptus. Nail fungus can also be treated easily if we apply topical ointments like Vicks to the affected area daily till it is fully treated.
-
Used for skin-lightening:
“How to use camphor for skin whitening?” is people’s question nowadays, does camphor whiten the skin? The answer to that is yes, Camphor surely helps with skin whitening, it brightens the skin and also deals with hyperpigmentation and dark spots on the skin which are the main reason that your skin looks tanned. To lessen the tanning on your skin, you can use any product with camphor in it at your doctor's consultation, as camphor is the brightening agent for the skin. Pharma Health provides Solaris cream SPF 35 which contains an amount of camphor with other bleaching ingredients, which not only will protect your skin from sun’s radiation but also lead you to sun-kissed beauty.
-
Relieves pain and inflammation:
Till now, we’ve learnt a lot of camphor benefits and uses, and out of them, this camphor benefit stands out. Are you dealing with pain in any part of your body? Or is there inflammation in the affected part? If yes then Camphor works as a savior ingredient. Applying camphor with menthol and essential oil of clove as an ointment will do better. Apply the ointment several times per day to the affected shoulder, back, neck or wherever the pain is taking place. Its anti-inflammatory properties will activate and it will take care of the pain soon.
-
Treating arthritis:
Out of many Camphor benefits and uses, treating arthritis is one of those benefits. This is a health-related camphor benefit. Arthritis- an inflammation in the joint which can go from one joint to many. Camphor products are designed to treat inflammation, pain and swelling in the joints which can occur due to arthritis.
Directly applying camphor to your skin can be harmful because it is powerful, you always apply it in the form of ointments which have other ingredients too. When you put these ointments on the affected joint, the mixture of cold and hot sensations will distract you from the real pain. So, applying camphor ointment several times per day will treat arthritis.
-
Deals with coughing:
Out of all camphor benefits for health, this camphor benefit is the most common. It works as a cough stopper and treats colds. Camphor is used a lot in home remedies when it comes to nursing colds. In cold your chest usually becomes congested and dry cough occurs. To treat this various vapor rubs or camphor balms are used. Treatment includes taking a steaming hot bowl, applying balm on your nose and neck inhaling deeply holding a towel on your head so that the vapors won't escape. Doing it thrice a day will treat chest congestion, coughing and blocked nose.
-
Improved blood circulation:
Using camphor to improve local blood circulation has been a useful treatment. A study was conducted by Biological and Pharma Bulletin to examine this and to see how camphor actually works to regulate blood pressure. In short, this experiment concluded that the cooling sensation of camphor does the magic to regulate blood circulation, making camphor a popular ingredient for different ointments used for regulating blood circulation.
-
Stress reduction:
When we talk about stress reduction, Camphor plays a major role in reducing one’s stress and putting them at ease. White camphor is known to possess natural soothing properties that calm nervous energy and uplift the mood.
The camphor is renowned for its calming and soothing effects because of its cold sensation. Also, inhaling the camphor scent works like magic in reducing anxiety, and stress and provides mental well-being.
Risks and precautions while using Camphor:
Camphor can be dangerous to use, but adults can use it safely if used in the correct way. Here are some of the precautions you must follow whenever working with camphor:
- Never use open camphor, do not take camphor by mouth ever as it can be deadly.
- Do not use products which have more than 11% of camphor.
- Always do a skin patch test before applying any camphor product.
- Always consult your skin doctor before applying anything camphor–related to your skin.
- Do not heat products having camphor in them like Vicks VapoRub etc, as they can explode.
- Whenever you go for steam-inhalation treatment, never use more than 1 tablespoon of camphor in the steamed water.
- People suffering from respiratory conditions should be extra careful around camphor. As inhaling camphor can be deadly for people with breathing problems like asthma.
Read More: 10 Safe Natural Skin Lightening Ingredients To Use As a Top Choice
Conclusion:
Camphor has many potential skin and health benefits, but if it is used properly and in the right way. Whenever buying camphor or any product having camphor, make sure to follow the provider’s directions exactly as directed.
You should always consult a doctor before making use of camphor and follow what they advise. From soothing skin irritation to treating back pain and stress, camphor is always utilized as many remedies and products.