Camphor is a naturally sourced perfumed substance.
The many benefits of camphor include:
- Stimulates the digestive system. It works well for secreting numerous juices and also enzymes necessary for the digestion of food.
- It has anti-oxidant properties so it really helps in lessening the entire process of oxidation in the body. This can lead to the creation of free-radicals which could disrupt tissues as well as cells within our body and also result in diabetes, liver diseases, and cardiovascular diseases and in many cases, even cancer.
- It has anti-inflammatory properties. It can help with muscle pains and decreasing levels of cholesterol too.
It has anti-microbial and insecticidal properties. Tests show that camphor produced great results in managing bacterial as well as fungal stresses to a significant extent.
- Protection against harmful chemicals like Atrazine. Research on camphor reveals that camphor is able to control genotoxicity or even toxins which affect the genetic level.
- It is a Stimulant & Diaphoretic. Camphor oil is an efficient stimulant, which reinforces the job of the circulatory system, metabolism, digestion, secretion and excretion. These properties deal well with health conditions related to improper circulation, digestion of food, sluggish or even overactive metabolic rates, blocked secretions, along with a wide selection of other less frequent situations.
- Antiseptic, disinfectant, insecticide, and germicide. It may be included with drinking water to sanitize it. A drop or even two of camphor oil, combined with a sizable amount of food grains, maintain those food products protected from insects. Whenever combined with bathing water, camphor oil disinfects the complete body outwardly and kills lice or any other tiny parasites of bugs that could be in your body.
- It can be used as a decongestant. It instantly reduces the blockage of the bronchi, larynx, pharynx, nasal tracts and also lungs and is used in many decongestant balms and cold rubs. Whenever heated along with water for around 10 minutes camphor forms an excellent medication so is ideal to treat coughs as well as colds.
- Anaesthetic & nervous pacifier. It leads to numbness of the sensory nerves in the area of the application so is an extremely effective local anaesthetic.
- It provides instant rest from spasms as well as cramps.
- It is an aphrodisiac. Camphor oil, whenever ingested or even eaten, enhances the libido simply by revitalizing those parts of the brain that are accountable for sexual desires as well as urges.
- It is an antineuralgic. Neuralgia, a seriously painful situation is brought on once the Ninth Cranial Nerve is influenced because of swelling of the encircling blood vessels, maybe treatable utilizing camphor oil. It makes the blood vessels contract, therefore, reducing pressure around the nerve.
- It is a narcotic. Camphor quickly desensitizes the nerves and relaxes the brain. It may also make a person lose control over their limbs if drawn in excessive because it affects brain function. The odour of camphor oil is additionally considerably addicting.
- It relieves flatulence.
- It is an anti-rheumatic, anti-arthritic and anti-phlogistic. Camphor oil provides relief to rheumatic diseases, arthritis, and gout. Additionally, it is regarded as an anti-phlogistic, it lowers the swelling of parts of the body.
- Medicine for neurodermatitis. This can be a specific situation of the person’s skin in which the skin will become incredibly scratchy. Whenever one applies camphor paste onto the skin or even bathes along with camphor dissolved in water, the discomfort and pain of the skin are significantly reduced.
- It cures the fungal infection. When a combination of camphor and water is placed on the affected areas (usually skin or toenails), it helps to heal fungal infections.
Umm ‘Aṭiya ( رضي الله عنها) narrated: “After the death of the Prophets daughter, he came and advised us togive the final washing to her three or five times, mixed with cedar leaves, if we wished, and then sprinkle camphor”
[Bukhāri and Muslim]
The substance camphor-Kāfūr (said to be used in funeral rites) mentioned in the above and other aḥadith, is actually the name of Itar-e-Hinna (perfume of Lawsonia inermis) and correct pronunciation Kāfūr is Qafūr.
It has been reported recently that the word kāfūr in this ḥadith refers to the perfume henna from Egyptian privet and not to camphor as generally believed.
Symbolically, camphor represents a fountain in the realm of bliss. Cool and refreshing, it is given as a soothing tonic in Eastern medicine. Camphor is a seasoning added to the cup of pure wine.it causes no intoxication but is wholesome, agreeable and refreshing.
Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) mentions camphor in the Qurān, surah Insān: “Indeed, the righteous will drink from a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of Kāfūr”
[Qurān 76:5]
References
Jalalu’d-Din Abdur-Rahman as-Ṣuyuti, As-Ṣuyitis Medicine of the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم)
Muhammad Musharraf Hussain, Medicine and Pharmacy in the Prophetic traditions vol.2
Google images.
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