Edible Camphor | Pacha Karpooram | Bhimseni Camphor | Cheen Karpooram | Kalpooram | Desi Kapur | Cinnamomum camphora

Camphora is a flammable, waxy, white, or transparent solid that has a strong aroma. The camphor prepared from the tree called camphor laurel is more beneficial than the synthetically made camphor. The edible camphor is used in cooking and rituals. In cooking, it is used to add aroma to the sweet dishes. The organic Edible camphor is also called Bhimseni camphor and Pacha Karpooram. It is also used in ayurvedic medicine from ancient times.

The camphor laurel tree is scientifically known as Cinnamomum camphora, its native is India, China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, and Korea. This is grown up to 20-30 meters. Its leaves have a waxy, glossy appearance and it smells like camphor when crushing it. In the spring season, this tree produces bright green foliage with masses of small white flowers. Then, it produces berry-like fruits.

Other Names of Camphor

Health Benefits of Edible Camphor

• Edible camphor is used to relieve itchiness, skin irritation, and also improves skin health.
• Pacha Karpooram helps to relieve inflammation and pain.
• This camphor is also used to heal burn wounds.
• It is one of the effective remedies for swelling, inflammation, pain due to arthritis.
• The antifungal properties of this camphor are good to treat toenail fungus.
• It is effective in relieving congestion, nigh cough, and respiratory tract infections.
• This edible camphor helps to cure loss of appetite, vomiting, digestive problems, and intestinal disease.

Other Uses of Edible Camphor

• Edible camphor is mainly used as a room freshener.
• It is used in sweet dishes to enhance flavor and taste.
• People in south India used this camphor in the sweet rice with milk.
• A pinch of edible camphor helps to get sound sleep. Consuming it with warm milk gives a good night’s sleep.
• Edible camphor is one of the ingredients to prepare paan.

Side Effects

This edible camphor is generally safe for adults. Applying a small amount of edible camphor on the skin does not cause any problems. But it does the skin patch test before using it on the skin. Using a large amount of edible camphor may cause some minor side effects like irritation and redness. Don’t use more than 1 tsp of camphor per quart f water in a steam vaporizer.