Camphor’s Therapeutic Uses and Potential Hazards: An In-Depth Review of Its Medicinal Applications

Natural products have long been integral to traditional medicine, offering diverse therapeutic benefits. Increasing concerns about the side effects of synthetic drugs have heightened interest in plant-derived compounds. The camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl) and its derivatives, such as camphor oil, have been valued for centuries. Historically, C. camphora was used as a fumigant during the Black Death, a prized ingredient in perfumes, and a key component in embalming fluids. Today, camphor extracted from C. camphora is widely used as a fragrance in cosmetics, a flavoring agent in food, an ingredient in household cleaners, and a topical remedy for minor muscle pain. Camphor is primarily obtained…