CAMPHORA OFFICINARUM [CAMPHOR]
Tam:/Mal:
Karpooram, Hindi: kapur/karpur, Tel: Karpuramu, Kannada:karpura.
Camphor
is a plant product derived from the tree named Camphora officinarum –a native to Taiwan and is known from Japan
and neighbouring islands. The tree is quite tall reaching a height of about
100ft .The big ones among them are said to attain a girth of about 66 ft a
truly massive dimension by any standard. The leaves are bright and shiny,
emanating ‘camphor’ aroma when crushed. Some Australian butterfly larvae
survive on camphor leaves. Curiously, camphor plants tend to spread rapidly and
are thus named ‘Invasive species’. Besides the dry litter of camphor leaves discourage
other plant growth by the powerful scent of camphor from dry leaves.
Camphor
is a waxy crystalline substance derived from distillation of tree bark of Camphora officinarum of Lauraceae sharing
affinity with Cinnamon and Nutmeg. Besides camphor production, the tree is a
well-known source for timber. The wood has the inherent advantage repelling
wood-devouring insects /termites.
Camphor
has a very interesting chemistry about it. Camphor types differ by their
chemical constituents ;there are some 6 variants broadly referred to as
‘Chemotypes’.
Camphor
type: Common in India, SriLanka and around. The oil has a rich camphor content
of 54—97 % and is quite popular by value.
Linalool
type: Common in Taiwan and Japan. It has about 80-84% linalool, some reports
suggest values between 58 and 97%
Cineole[Eucalyptol]type
Common in Madagascar and is reported to contain 32- 57% Cineole which
contains eucaluptus-like oil and is used in the manufacture of ‘fake Eucalyptus
oil’ in Chinas.
Other
kinds are Nerolidol type, Safrole type,
Borneol type and Isoborneol type - each named after the chemical content
varying from a low 16% to a high 82% .
In
certain cultures camphor is used a culinary additive though in low quantity.
So
many features are said of the common camphor –that lives through our daily life
in worship, religious ceremonies, Weddings and in any new initiation; shopkeepers
wind up the night’s work after lighting a camphor –right outside the shop on
Fridays / any other day observed in their region. Await a special posting on Satur day [26-09-26]
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