Camphor: risks and benefits of a widely used natural product

This study analyzes the main aspects of the non-clinical profile of D-Camphor, a natural product widely used as a common remedy for several symptoms. The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of this substance are analyzed, with regard to all the literature available, in order to assess a risk profile and better understand the positive and negative aspects connected with its use. The general conclusion is that the main risks of camphor as a medicinal product are mainly due to a somehow diffused attitude of considering it as “not a real medicine”, and to its consequent sometimes not sufficiently careful administration. @ JASEM Camphor is a natural product derived from the wood of the camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora L.) trees through steam distillation and purification by sublimination; the trees used should be at least 50 years old. It also occurs in some other related trees in the laurel family, notably Ocotea usambarensis Eng., and can also be obtained from the plant Lippia dulcis Trev., but this is not a major industrial source (Compadre et al., 1986). A major source of camphor in Asia is Ocimum kilimandscharicum Baker ex Gurke. Camphor can also be produced synthetically from vinyl chloride and cyclopentadiene, passing through the intermediate dehydronorbornyl chloride. The naturally occurring form is dextrorotatory and the synthetic form optically inactive (Budavari, 1989; Reynolds, 1989). Camphor has a counter-irritant, rubefacient and mild analgesic action, and is a major component of liniments for relief of fibrositis, neuralgia and similar conditions. It can be used as a mild expectorant; when ingested camphor has irritant and carminative properties. Camphorated-oil, a solution in oil given through intramuscular or subcutaneous way, can be used as a circulatory and respiratory stimulant, but this use is considered hazardous. When in combination with menthol and chenodeoxycholic acid it has been used to aid dispersal of bile duct stones, although this is no longer recommended (Reynolds, 1989). Aim of the present work is to provide an overview over pharmacological, pharmacokinetical and toxicological aspects of camphor, in order to assess its safety profile and evaluate the eventual level of risk connected with its use.