Cinnamomum camphora : a long history for epidemics control

TMR Integrative Medicine

article

Rakhi Mishra¹  Binit Dwivedi¹ 

[1] Dr. D.P. Rastogi Central Research Institute for Homoeopathy, Under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH

关键词: COVID-19;    Cinnamomum camphora;    Camphor;    Epidemic;   

DOI  :  10.53388/TMRIM202105031

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: TMR publishing group

【 摘 要 】

Camphor (C10H16O) is a white crystalline solid exist in enantiomeric form R and S camphor. It is a terpenoidobtained from turpentine oil. Synthetically it is synthesized by catalytic process as alpha pinene. Naturally camphoris obtained by steam distillation of woods of Cinnamomum camphora tree, also known as Camphor tree, camphorlaure and camphor wood. Camphor has many pharmacological properties. It acts as antiviral, anticancerous, antimicrobial, insecticidal, anticoccidial, anti-nociceptive and antitussive drug. In addition, it can be used as skinpenetrating enhancer. Camphor gives a soothing and cooling effect, which helps to reduce pain. The reason behindits soothing effect is camphor act as a counter-irritant by activating heat sensitive transient receptor potentialvanilloid subtype 1 and transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 3 receptors and inhibits the transient receptorpotential melastatin-subfamily member 8 receptor. As a result, these receptors provide a sensation of scalding heatand pain (nociception) and could be used to treat neuropathic pain associated with multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy, or amputation, as well as pain associated with the inflammatory response of damaged tissue such as in osteoarthritis. Camphor has a history of epidemics cure. During leishmaniosis (kala-azar) pandemic in 14th century, camphor wasused as fumigant to control the spread of plague in European countries. In 19th century when cholera, small pox andinfluenza spreads, camphor was used as mothballs in Indian subcontinent as a (cough reliever) agent. During 18thcentury Russian influenza “flu pandemic” founder of Homeopathy Hahnemann in 1831, published his researchwork on camphor and suggested camphor as a “divine remedy” for influenza given in extremely small doses. In thesame year, several companies launched to sell menthol rub as natural rub ointment consisting camphor asprevention measures for spread of influenza. As the recent epidemic of COVID-19 arises, prevention and control ofspread of disease is an alarming issue. This article covered the glimpse of uses and importance of camphor in thehistory of epidemic cure.

【 授权许可】

CC BY