What is Kapoor? Bhimseni Camphor Uses And Benefits

Share

Camphor or so-called Kapur/Kapoor is a white waxy solid with a firm crystal clear strong perfumed spice. It is extracted from the camphor plant’s leaves and bark and obtained by isoprenoids through the chemical formula C10H16O.
Health Benefit & Uses of Camphor (Bhimseni Kapoor,Kapur)
It is found in the wood and leaves of the laurel camphor that is scientifically known as (Cinnamomum camphora). It is a huge evergreen plant that can grow to about a height of 50 to 100 feet.

The branches are spread all around so they look much broader than tall. It has a very rough pale bark and is fissured vertically. It produces clusters of berry-like fruit which are black in color, each berry fruit around (1 cm) in diameter.

It is an evergreen tree that grows in exotic conditions in Asia, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Taiwan and has been introduced to many other countries. Cinnamomum camphora is believed to be native to China’s southern part of the Yangtze River.

Camphor Names In Other languages

  • Hindi: Karpur
  • English: Camphor tree/Camphor laurel
  • Kannada: Pache karpoora
  • Telugu: Karpooram Chettu
  • Tamil: Karpooram /Pachai Karpooram
  • Marathi: Karpur
  • Gujarati: Karpur
  • Bengali: Karpur

Ayurvedic Properties of Camphor

  •  Rasa (taste): Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent), Madhura (sweet)
  • Guna (qualities): Laghu (light to digest), Rooksha (Dryness)
  • Vipaka-Katu: undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion.
  • Veerya – Sheeta: coolant in nature.
  • Effect on Tridosha: It Balances Kapha, Pitta Dosha.

Different Types of Kapoor

In India Camphor has its own importance it has a unique position in the Hindu tradition of pooja, other festive functions, and traditional law.

Varieties of Kapoor

  • Bhimseni Kapoor: It is also known as Baras Camphora, Cini camphor, Japani Karpura (D. Camphora), Patri camphor, Nagi Karpura camphor (B.Lacera)
  • Krutima Kapoor: Besides normal Kapoor, this type is synthetic camphor which is prepared using turpentine, it is generally used in ritual ceremonies and in various Indian traditions but is not used for remedies or for medical use. It is believed that the puja/ritual ceremony cannot be accomplished without Bhimseni Camphor.

What Is Bhimseni Kapoor?

Among the varieties of camphor, the “Bhimseni Kapoorhas its own importance, it has been used in ayurvedic medicine and puja since ancient times.

It is also called Malay camphor, Sumatran camphor, Borneo camphor, or Barus camphor and is heavier by nature that sinks in water more easily than Chinese camphor.

It is naturally formed in the stems of the Dryobalanops plant, it has about seven subfamily species, and it is found in cluster form in the tropical forests of Sumatra, Peninsular, Borneo, and  Malaysia West Malesia.

Bhimseni Kapoor Uses

Do you know why Bhimseni Camphor Is Used In Puja/Ritual Ceremonies?

It is believed that the ordinary camphor has natural savior (Tarak) properties and can be used to invoke the Saviour Principle of the Deity during worship.

Whereas the Bhimseni camphor has destroyer (Marak) properties by nature, is more powerful than ordinary camphor.  So it can invoke the Destroyer Principle of the Deity during worship.

Due to the properties of Marak (Destroyer), it is believed to be more useful in destroying negative energies and for casting off evil eyes.

Ayurvedic Properties Of Bhimseni Camphor

  • Marak ( it is the destroyer in nature)
  • Raja ( it has a high flame with great emission of smoke)

Besides this, it has various properties such as

  • It has a strong fragrance.
  • The color of the smoke/flame is reddish black.
  • It lasts for a longer time.

Benefits Of Burning Bhimseni Kapoor

The burning of camphor in an Indian tradition has a special meaning. It is believed that when pure white color camphor when burned acquires a huge fire (Agni) and burns completely, without leaving any residue.

In the same way when lighting camphor before God can destroy a sign burning our illusion or ego with the fire of true knowledge, which will merge with God, leaving no residue.

Camphor is used daily in Hindu families to light diyas, by burning camphor as part of daily prayer. It also contributes to purifying the surrounding air and preventing harmful bacteria, viruses, and mosquitoes away.

Camphor has extraordinary medicinal properties. It safeguards us against many illnesses by killing bacteria that prevail in the warm atmosphere; it prevails in most parts of India.

According to Ayurveda when camphor is burned it purifies the atmosphere. When the devotees place their palms on Aarti (a plate on which camphor is burned) and put the palms of their nose and eyes, they absorb the medicinal benefits.

In Aarti camphor remains for a very short time, in Hindu mythology, it signifies a human that has a short span of life. It is the physical and sensual pleasures that come from attachments caused by Avidya or the so-called Agynana.

Therefore, Aarti motivates devotees to discover God, which is permanent. As Aarti is short-lived, it compels the devotee to focus on God.

Therapeutic Uses of Camphor

  1. It comforts nasal blockage and cough when applied to the chest as oil.
  2. Camphor is used as a component in throat drops and cough syrup and chock let like Vicks.
  3. Camphor is additionally used in various anti-itch ointments, gels of cooling, and creams, as it can be preoccupied through the skin. It is capable of treating pain locally.
  4. It has an anesthetic effect which makes it the best-loved oil. It is also used in blends of massage to release pain from arthritis and muscle aches.
  5. Camphor is known to improve air quality, It is better for our lungs and heart. Many people are not knowledgeable about the power of camphor as a mosquito repellant, but it is very effective with no side effects and low cost too.
  6. Camphor oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can be used to relieve acne, pimples, and boils; it is also beneficial in reducing pain, and swelling that are resulted due to gum infection, neuralgia, and rheumatism.
  7. Even though camphorated oil is not recommended for use on broken skin, it has been found beneficial to get rid of infection of toenails fungus.
  8. It can be used as a hair care product, for treating itchy head, and lice-infested hair, and helpful towards dandruff too with the combination of camphor oil with a coconut oil
  9. Camphor is a superb cleanser; it tones the skin and helps the scars calm that are resulted from burns, it even smoothes rough cracked, and coarse heels.
  10. It has antispasmodic properties that can work well to reduce problems such as tired worn-out muscles, sprains, joints, cramps as well as spasms.

How To Use Camphor As Mosquito Repellent?

Using Camphor as a natural mosquito repellent is very simple No need to burn camphor. There are two simple ways to execute it.

  • Take tablets of camphor which is available in the market and bring any mosquito matt repellent kit that is easily available in the market. Connect a kit and place tablets on it for an hour and see the results.
  • Take tablets of camphor and place them in different corners, generally dark places of the room, where mosquitoes seem to love to stay. Keep there and let it be evaporating naturally. Keeping camphor will not only keep the air pure but also keep it free of mosquitoes.

Medicinal Properties & Uses Of Camphor

1. Cough and cold

Camphor has been used as traditional medicine for cough and cold it can be used with water, boil for about ten minutes and inhale the vapor it is an excellent way to treat cough and cold.

Every time a person contends with a severe cough and cold he can breathe in the vapor of camphor and boiling water to get relief.

When the camphor is breathed in form of vapor it forms a coating around the inner surfaces of the respiratory organs this way it helps in reducing irritation of the throat and is also very effective in treating bronchitis.

2. Anti-oxidant properties

Research on Camphor extracts reveals that it has a significant amount of antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are biochemical that can actually help in reducing all the oxidation processes that can lead to the creation of free radicals.

Free radicals are chemicals that alter the tissues and cells in our body and may lead to ailments such as diabetes, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and sometimes may even cause cancer.

3. Antineuralgic

Neuralgia is a severely painful situation, that is triggered when the ninth cranial nerve is affected due to inflammation of the blood vessels surrounding it and it may be treatable using camphor oil.

The camphor oil can make the blood vessels contract and therefore it reduces the pressure around the ninth cranial nerve. This is really is another best use of camphor used as a painkiller.

4. Anti-inflammatory properties

Camphor has been used in traditional medicine, like Ayurveda, and in Chinese tradition for a long time to get rid of muscle pain and rheumatism.

A study on Camphor extracts has found that it has anti-inflammatory properties that not only restricted muscle aches but also lower cholesterol levels.

5. Antimicrobial/ insecticidal properties

The study was done on extracts of camphor leaves, it has been found that it has anti-microbial qualities that are capable of managing bacterial and fungal strains to some extent.

Apart from the antimicrobial qualities, it also has various essential oils that have insecticidal qualities. So it’s clear that the practice of using camphor as an anthelmintic drug in Ayurveda was clinically right.

Note and Precautions: The doctor reports that camphor can be poisonous when ingested, it is a common material used in chest rubs and sprays for congested sinuses and relieves cold symptoms.

Camphor works by causing the airways more sensitive to cold air which provides false relief from congestion. Excessive use of camphor balm rubbed on may also cause seizures. It may cause symptoms such as nausea, restlessness vomiting, and stomach aches.Save

admin

You may also like...

9 Responses

  1. Nagender says:

    thanks for this good article

  2. Milton says:

    Thanks for the information.

  3. Raj says:

    Karpuura-Gauram Karunna-Avataaram
    Samsaara-Saaram Bhujage[a-I]ndra-Haaram |
    Sadaa-Vasantam Hrdaya-Aravinde
    Bhavam Bhavaanii-Sahitam Namaami ||

    Meaning:
    1: Pure White like Camphor, an Incarnation of Compassion,
    2: The Essence of Worldly Existence, Whose Garland is the King of Serpents,
    3: Always Dwelling inside the Lotus of the Heart.
    4: I Bow to Shiva and Shakti Together.

  4. Cyrus cama says:

    I have been eating kafoor since a week to stop my bleeding piles. Pls help.

    • Narayan says:

      Given below two ayurvedic methods are very effective…give it a try take 1/4th spoon of anantamool(Indian sarsaparilla)powder + 1 spoon of ghee early morning on empty stomach. if bleeding is acute take it 3 times a day.
      (or)
      Anantmool is available at amazon.in …

      Hope it gives relief to you. Sarve Jana Sukhina Bhavantu ! /\

  5. Abdul Hameed says:

    treatment of piles has two parts: A. give up use of food contains: meat (buffalo, beef), eggs, red+black pepper, brinjal, garam masala. And should use: vegetables, salad, (Fiber containing foods). B. taking medicines.
    for bloody piles, use following medicines:
    Habbe bawasir khooni 2 tablets bed time
    Qurs-e Gulnar 1 tablet motning time
    Qurs-e Mulayyen (if constipation is there) 2 tables bed time
    use Habbe Muqil if the stool is hard instead of Qurs-e Mulayyen 2 pills

  6. Kamini says:

    I m 23 weeks pregnant and I m accidentally eaten pooja kapoor like a sugar seed.is it harmful for my baby womb.I m so tensed

  7. Natasha Rode says:

    Thanks for sharing this amazing article. Camphor’s anti-bacterial,anti-fungal properties were very well understood during Vedic times. Hence it is suggested to used oils infused with camphor to treat skin diseases and also burning camphor during Aarti during rituals and every evening to keep the mosquitos and harmful pathogens away.

  8. Hari Rajagopal says:

    How to identify the “other” variety of camphor that you mentioned has Tarak properties? Are these the synthetic ones made from turpentine? Is it not advised to use this to light ?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *