Karpura (Camphor) — Camphor

Ayurvedic herb Karpura (Camphor) (Cinnamomum camphora) — Camphor. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Katu, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Katu. Balances Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Camphor has stimulant, antispasmodic, and antiseptic actions, used in respiratory and skin conditions.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTikta, KatuTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Katu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant
GunaLaghu, RukshaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
ViryaSheetaSheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaKasahara, Shwasahara, KrimighnaKasahara — relieves cough; Shwasahara — relieves dyspnea and asthma; Krimighna — anti-parasitic, destroys worms

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Karpura (Camphor) is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Ghanasara, Chandra, Hima, Sita

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Karpura (Camphor) are: niryasa.

Main Indications

Karpura (Camphor) is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Kasa, Shwasa, Kandu, Trishna, Mukharoga.

Dosha Effects

Karpura (Camphor) pacifies Kapha.

It may aggravate Pitta when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Karpura (Camphor) is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
aerial partCentral nervous system depressantsMESH:D002492,UMLS:C0007681, ICD-11:XM6QP4ISBN:9788172360481
aerial partHypotensionMESH:D007022,UMLS:C0020649, ICD-11:BA2ZISBN:9788172360481
barkHallucinogensMESH:D006213,UMLS:C0018533, ICD-11:XM8X97ISBN:9788172360481
barkInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788172360481
barkInsecticidesMESH:D007306,UMLS:C0021576, ICD-11:XM3K66ISBN:9770972795006
barkPruritusMESH:D011537,UMLS:C0033774, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9770972795006
barkVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9770972795006
leafAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006
leafInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9770972795006
leafInsecticidesMESH:D007306,UMLS:C0021576, ICD-11:XM3K66ISBN:9770972795006
leafLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9770972795006
leafMyalgiaMESH:D063806,UMLS:C0231528, ICD-11:FB56.2ISBN:9770972795006
leafRespiratory tract infectionsMESH:D012141,UMLS:C0035243, ICD-11:CA45ISBN:9770972795006
seedHemagglutinationMESH:D006384,UMLS:C0018903ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9788172360481
whole plantAnti-infective agentsMESH:D000890,UMLS:C0003204, ICD-11:XM4TV0ISBN:9788172360481
Abortifacient agentsMESH:D000019,UMLS:C0000782, ICD-11:JA00.1ISBN:9770972795006
AnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717031
AnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
AnticonvulsantsMESH:D000927,UMLS:C0003286, ICD-11:XM07T3ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717031
Antifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006
Anti-infective agents, localMESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717031
Antirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172363130
AphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717031
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788173717031
Bronchial diseasesMESH:D001982,UMLS:C0006261, DOID:1176, ICD-11:CB40.YISBN:9770972795006
BronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9770972795006
CarbuncleMESH:D002270,UMLS:C0007078, DOID:2176, ICD-11:1B75.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
Cardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717031
Central nervous system diseasesMESH:D002493,UMLS:C0007682, DOID:331ISBN:9770972795006
Chest painMESH:D002637,UMLS:C0008031, ICD-11:MD30.ZISBN:9788172363130
ChillsMESH:D023341,UMLS:C0085593, ICD-11:MG21ISBN:9788172360481
ChoreaMESH:D002819,UMLS:C0008489, DOID:12859ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375
Common coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788172363130
CoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788173717031
DiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788173717031
DysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717031
DyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9788173717031
EmollientsMESH:D004643,UMLS:C0013983, ICD-11:XM1C59ISBN:9788173717031
EpilepsyMESH:D004827,UMLS:C0014544, DOID:1826, ICD-11:8A6ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375
ExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717031
FibrosisMESH:D005355,UMLS:C0016059, ICD-11:DB93.ZISBN:9770972795006
FlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717031
Heart diseasesMESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717031
HepatitisMESH:D006505,UMLS:C0019158, DOID:2237, ICD-11:DB97.ZISBN:9770972795006
Hypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717031
HysteriaMESH:D007046,UMLS:C0020701ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375
ImmunomodulationMESH:D056747,UMLS:C1963758ISBN:9788172362089
InflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717031
Insect repellentsMESH:D007302,UMLS:C0021572ISBN:9788172361266
InsecticidesMESH:D007306,UMLS:C0021576, ICD-11:XM3K66ISBN:9788172363130
CounterirritantUMLS:C0010215ISBN:9770972795006
JaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9770972795006
Menstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9770972795006
MyalgiaMESH:D063806,UMLS:C0231528, ICD-11:FB56.2ISBN:9788173717031
NeuralgiaMESH:D009437,UMLS:C0027796, ICD-11:MG30.5ZISBN:9770972795006
PainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9770972795006
ParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
PneumoniaMESH:D011014,UMLS:C0032285, DOID:552, ICD-11:CA40.0ZISBN:9770972795006
General tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
Scorpion stingsMESH:D065008,UMLS:C0238417, ICD-11:NE61ISBN:9770972795006
Snake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006
Sprains and strainsMESH:D013180,UMLS:C0038048ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
DiaphoreticUMLS:C1707737ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266