Camphor for Conjunctivitis: Does It Work?
Does Camphor (Karpura) help with conjunctivitis? In classical Ayurveda, yes, as an ingredient in eye preparations made by a practitioner. Of the substances linked to pink eye, camphor has one of the clearer classical records, but it is also one of the riskiest to use on your own.
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu calls camphor beneficial for the eyes (Chakshushya, Netrya) and lists eye diseases (Netra Roga) among its classical uses. It also lists relief of burning sensation (Dahaprashamana), a key complaint in an inflamed eye.
The Sushruta Samhita names camphor directly in its chapter on Pitta-type conjunctivitis.
A rasa-kriya (decoction concentrate) should be made with sugar and camphor, from palinda or madhuka (licorice).
Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 10: Pittabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya
Ayurveda calls conjunctivitis Abhishyanda, "that which overflows", and sees it mainly as aggravated Pitta, the hot dosha, in the eye. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu classes camphor as cold in potency (Sheeta Virya), which is why it fits a hot, burning eye. These are practitioner-made preparations. Never put camphor in your own eyes.
How Camphor Helps with Conjunctivitis
Ayurveda describes conjunctivitis as Pitta inflaming Alochaka Pitta, the part of Pitta that governs sight. The result is a red, burning, light-sensitive, weeping eye. The Sushruta Samhita gives the Pitta-type form (Pittabhishyanda) its own chapter, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 10, and camphor appears in it.
Cooling the burning
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu classes camphor as cold in potency and cooling (Sheetala), and says it relieves burning sensation. Burning is the signature symptom of the Pitta-type eye, so this is the most direct line of reasoning. The same text says camphor alleviates Pitta and Kapha.
A named eye action
Camphor also carries a specific eye action, beneficial for the eyes (Chakshushya), and the Bhavaprakash Nighantu calls it a key ingredient in many formulations for eye diseases. Its taste is bitter, pungent and slightly sweet (Tikta, Katu, Madhura).
Why it is always paired
Camphor is also sharp and penetrating (Tikshna), and some Ayurvedic sources warn that it can aggravate Pitta in excess. That is why the Sushruta preparations pair it with soothing partners, sugar and licorice, rather than using it alone. Our sources hold no modern research on camphor for conjunctivitis.
How to Use Camphor for Conjunctivitis
For conjunctivitis, camphor is a practitioner-only eye ingredient. Classical texts use it in prepared eye remedies, but our sources give no home recipe or eye dose, and camphor is harmful in excess.
| Form | Amount | For Conjunctivitis | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concentrate (rasa-kriya) with licorice, sugar and camphor | Not specified in our sources | Pitta-type conjunctivitis in the Sushruta Samhita | Prepared and applied by a practitioner only |
| Classical eye formulations containing camphor | Not specified in our sources | Eye diseases, per the Bhavaprakash Nighantu | Practitioner-prepared |
| Household or worship camphor | None | No role | Usually synthetic and toxic; keep away from the eyes and mouth |
Choosing the right camphor matters
Our sources say only natural edible camphor (Bhimseni or Pakva Karpura) is suitable for any use near the face or inside the body. Even that grade stays away from the eye unless a practitioner is preparing a classical formula.
What the home approach looks like
The Ayurvedic home approach to conjunctivitis centres on cooling Pitta. Our condition sources describe a Triphala eye wash, rose water to soothe and ghee to calm the heat within. Ask a practitioner how to prepare these safely.
Safety first
See an eye doctor for any red, painful or discharging eye. Do not self-apply camphor, or any oil, paste or powder, to the eye. Avoid camphor in pregnancy, with a seizure history, and around young children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put camphor in my eye for pink eye?
No. Classical eye preparations with camphor are made and applied by practitioners. Worship camphor is usually synthetic and toxic, and our sources warn that camphor is harmful in excess. See an eye doctor for a red, painful or discharging eye.
Which classical texts link camphor to conjunctivitis?
The Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 10, uses camphor with sugar and licorice in preparations for Pitta-type conjunctivitis. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists eye diseases among its uses and calls it beneficial for the eyes.
Is camphor cooling or heating?
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu classes it as cold in potency and cooling. It is also sharp and penetrating, and some Ayurvedic sources say it can aggravate Pitta in excess. That is why it is used in small amounts with soothing partners.
Recommended: Start Camphor for Conjunctivitis
If you want to start the Ayurvedic approach to conjunctivitis today, here is the honest starting point. Camphor's eye role is inside practitioner-made classical preparations, so there is no camphor product for you to put on your eyes.
Best first step: have an eye doctor check the eye. For Pitta-cooling home support, our condition sources point to Triphala (the basis of a practitioner-guided eye wash) and pure rose water, which soothes.
If a practitioner prepares a camphor eye formula for you, it should use natural edible camphor (Bhimseni or Pakva Karpura), never the synthetic camphor sold for worship.
Find Triphala Powder on Amazon ↗ Find Pure Rose Water ↗
Safety: never put camphor into your eye yourself, and keep it away from children. A red, painful or discharging eye needs an eye doctor.
Safety & Precautions
Camphor is not a herb to take casually. Our sources agree that it works in small amounts and turns harmful in larger ones, so the honest summary is this: external and aromatic use in sensible amounts, internal use only under a qualified practitioner.
Overdose and toxicity
Ayurvedic practice warns that camphor should only be used in prescribed low doses, because excessive use acts as a narcotic poison. Our editorial sources add that camphor is neurotoxic in excess and can lower the seizure threshold, with nausea, vomiting and confusion as early signs and seizures at higher doses.
The Bhavaprakash adds a quieter warning: excessive use can reduce sexual potency.
Synthetic camphor
The camphor sold for worship is usually synthetic and is toxic if swallowed. Never use it in the mouth, eyes or any internal preparation. Only natural edible Bhimseni or Pakva Karpura is suitable for any use near the face or inside the body.
Who should avoid it
- Infants and young children: keep camphor well out of reach and do not apply it to their face or chest. Small amounts swallowed can be dangerous.
- Pregnancy: our sources advise avoiding it.
- Seizure history or epilepsy medication: avoid, because camphor can lower the seizure threshold.
- Asthma: strong vapour can trigger bronchospasm, so inhale cautiously or not at all.
- G6PD deficiency: our editorial sources list it as a contraindication.
Skin and eyes
Do not apply neat camphor to inflamed skin, and avoid broken, weeping or freshly scratched skin, where it stings and can worsen the wound. Keep it away from the eyes unless a practitioner is preparing a classical eye formula.
Pitta caution
Although the Bhavaprakash classes camphor as cooling, other Ayurvedic sources describe it as slightly heating and warn that it can aggravate Pitta in excess. Its sharp quality can also irritate already sensitive tissue. If you run hot or your tissues are inflamed, use less, not more.
Our sources do not record specific drug interactions beyond anti-epileptic medication. If you take any regular medication, talk to your doctor before using camphor.
Other Herbs for Conjunctivitis
See all herbs for conjunctivitis on the Conjunctivitis page.
▶ Classical Text References (5 sources)
- Daha (burning sensation)
- Trishna (excessive thirst)
- Jwara (fever)
- Mukha Roga (oral diseases)
- Hridroga (heart diseases)
- Kasa (cough)
- Shwasa (asthma/dyspnea)
- Netra Roga (eye diseases)
- Krimi (worms/parasites)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1
Having thus mitigated the kapha, the person should take bath, anoint the body with the paste of karpura (camphor), candana (sandalwood), aguru (Aquilaria agallocha), and kumkuma (saffron).
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal
Very cool water kept in mud pot along with flowers of patala and karpura (camphor) should be used for drinking.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal
Inhaling of fumes from herbs that are coolant, pleasant and cordial Anointing the body with camphor, sandalwood paste, Vetiver paste, very frequently.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Doshopakramaniyam
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal; Doshopakramaniyam
After it is brought down and cooled, and thereafter add one pala each of - lavanga, nakha, kakkola, jatikosha, one kudava of camphor.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Chandraprabha Vati [for Prameha/urinary disorders]: Chandraprabha (camphor), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Bhunimba (Andrographis paniculata), Amrita (Guduchi — Tinospora cordifolia), Daruka (Cedrus deodara), Haridra (turmeric — Curcuma longa), Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum), Darvi (Berberis aristata), Pippalimula (root of long pepper), and Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica) —.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations)
Another: by applying a paste of Makanda (mango, Mangifera indica) fruit with Madhuka (licorice) and Karpura (camphor, Cinnamomum camphora), even in women past their youth, the vaginal canal becomes firm.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Mango is astringent, camphor provides a cooling tonic effect on tissues, and licorice is anti-inflammatory.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
By the use of mercury powder (rasa-churna) and camphor preparations (karpura-rasa), following this method, even this dreadful disease subsides.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 4: Venereal Diseases — Sexually Transmitted Infections (Aupasargikopodamsha Adhikara)
Mercury and camphor combination for STI treatment.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 4: Venereal Diseases — Sexually Transmitted Infections (Aupasargikopodamsha Adhikara)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application); Parishishtam, Chapter 4: Venereal Diseases — Sexually Transmitted Infections (Aupasargikopodamsha Adhikara)
For Pitta wounds: cooling, with sandalwood, camphor.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 18: Vrana-alepa-bandha Vidhi Adhyaya - Wound Poultices and Dressings
Palasha (Butea) blood-red sap is useful for anjana (collyrium), or shallaki with sugar and camphor.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 10: Pittabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Pitta-type Conjunctivitis)
A rasa-kriya (decoction concentrate) should be made with sugar and camphor, from palinda or madhuka (licorice).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 10: Pittabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Pitta-type Conjunctivitis)
A fine powder mixed with sugar and camphor destroys shuktika (oyster-shell eye lesion).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 10: Pittabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Pitta-type Conjunctivitis)
Vaidurya (cat's-eye gem), sphatika (crystal), vidruma (coral), mukta (pearl), silver, and gold — finely powdered with sugar and camphor — this anjana quickly destroys shuktika.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 10: Pittabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Pitta-type Conjunctivitis)
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 18: Vrana-alepa-bandha Vidhi Adhyaya - Wound Poultices and Dressings; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 10: Pittabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Pitta-type Conjunctivitis)
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.