Overview
Camphor is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for inflammation. Karpura is cold-potency Camphor: aromatic, Tikshna, dosed in tiny pinches as cardiac stimulant. Bhimseni grade clears Kasa, Shvasa, Netra Roga, and burning Pitta heat.
How Camphor Helps with Inflammation
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Camphor has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing inflammation:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent), Madhura (sweet)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Tikshna (sharp)
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 Inflammation
See all herbs for inflammation on the Inflammation 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.