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Karpura कर्पूर
Cinnamomum camphora · Lauraceae
Also known as: Camphor, Kapoor, Kapur
Part used: Crystalline distillate
Karpura (Cinnamomum camphora) is camphor, a crystalline substance distilled from the camphor laurel. Ayurveda uses it externally for pain and congestion and internally in tiny purified doses. It is genuinely dangerous if swallowed in quantity, and synthetic camphor should never be taken internally at all.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Cinnamomum camphora
- Part used: Crystalline distillate
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Edible camphor a few mg within formulas; external application for congestion and skin.
Karpura in other languages
Introduction
Karpura (camphor, Cinnamomum camphora) is a fragrant crystalline substance used for its cooling, clearing and aromatic effects — on the skin, the senses and the respiratory passages. It is both medicine and a substance of ritual.
Classification
Grouped among the aromatic, cooling (Sheeta) and Dahaghna dravyas, edible Karpura is used internally in tiny amounts and externally for its penetrating, decongestant action.
Uses & benefits
Camphor is used externally for congestion, pain and itching, and in minute internal doses in classical formulations for fainting and burning. It is Chedana — it cuts through thick Kapha — which is why it appears in balms and inhalations for a blocked chest and head.
Karpura for muscle and joint pain
Applied in balms and oils, its cooling-then-warming sensation is the basis of nearly every Indian pain balm.
Karpura for nasal congestion
Inhaled as a vapour or in a steam inhalation for blocked nose and sinus congestion.
Karpura for cough
Applied to the chest as a rub, its vapour easing congestion and cough.
Karpura for itching
Its cooling, mildly anaesthetic action relieves itching in prickly heat and insect bites.
Karpura for skin infection
Antiseptic and antifungal, used in preparations for ringworm and infected skin.
Karpura for burning sensation
Applied where heat and burning dominate, a classical Dahaprashamana action.
Karpura for oral care
Present in classical tooth powders for its antiseptic and freshening effect.
Karpura as a Tridoshaghna drug
Classically described as pacifying all three doshas, unusual among the aromatics.
Karpura in Panchagun Taila
A component of the classical pain oils and balms used across Indian households.
Karpura in ritual use
Burnt in aarti across India — a cultural rather than medicinal use, but the reason it is universally available.
Dosage — how much to take
Edible camphor a few mg within formulas; external application for congestion and skin. Follow your Vaidya's advice.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Karpura?
The citations held for Karpura in this catalogue are: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Karpuradi Varga).
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Karpura?
Heads the Karpuradi group; described as cooling and aromatic. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Karpuradi Varga.
What is Karpura traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Camphor is used externally for congestion, pain and itching, and in minute internal doses in classical formulations for fainting and burning. It is Chedana — it cuts through thick Kapha — which is why it appears in balms and inhalations for a blocked chest and head.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Karpura?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Karpura classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Karpura carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Karpura is used medicinally?
The part used is Crystalline distillate.
How much Karpura is taken, and how?
Edible camphor a few mg within formulas; external application for congestion and skin. Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Karpura be avoided?
Only edible/purified camphor (Pacha Karpura) is used internally, in very small amounts. Ordinary synthetic camphor is for external use only. Keep away from children.
Where does Karpura grow?
Camphor is distilled from the wood of the camphor laurel, a large evergreen tree native to East Asia and grown in parts of India.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Karpuradi Varga
Heads the Karpuradi group; described as cooling and aromatic. - Classical texts — Daha & Kapha context
Cited for cooling and congestion.
Modern research
-
Current Insights on Bioactive Molecules, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Other Pharmacological Activities of Cinnamomum camphora Linn.
(see source). (2022)
A review of Cinnamomum camphora (Karpura / camphor) documenting antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities relevant to its topical and respiratory uses.
View study doi:10.1155/2022/9354555
Safety & precautions
Only edible/purified camphor (Pacha Karpura) is used internally, in very small amounts. Ordinary synthetic camphor is for external use only. Keep away from children.
Where it grows
Camphor is distilled from the wood of the camphor laurel, a large evergreen tree native to East Asia and grown in parts of India.
Frequently asked questions
Is camphor safe to swallow?
No — not the camphor you buy for worship or the synthetic kind. Camphor is toxic when ingested: as little as 1 g can kill a child, causing seizures and liver damage. Only purified natural camphor within a licensed preparation is taken internally, in doses measured in milligrams.
What is Karpura used for?
Externally for muscle and joint pain, nasal congestion, cough, itching and skin infection. It is a component of nearly every Indian pain balm and inhalant. Internal use is limited to tiny purified doses within classical formulations.
What is the difference between natural and synthetic camphor?
Natural camphor is distilled from Cinnamomum camphora wood. Synthetic camphor is made from turpentine and is the kind sold for worship. Only natural, purified camphor is medicinal — synthetic must never be taken internally.
Can camphor be applied to a baby's chest?
Not without a physician's advice. Camphor is absorbed through skin and infants are far more sensitive to it; camphor-containing rubs are not recommended for children under two. Steam inhalation near an infant is also risky.
What is the internal dose of Karpura?
Between 125 mg and 250 mg of purified natural camphor per day, only within a licensed classical preparation and under direction. This is a deliberately tiny dose and reflects the narrow safety margin.
What are the signs of camphor poisoning?
Burning in the mouth and throat, nausea and vomiting, confusion, muscle twitching and seizures, often within minutes. It is a medical emergency — go to hospital immediately rather than waiting to see.
What is Karpura called in Hindi?
Kapoor. Bhimseni kapoor refers to the natural crystalline form used medicinally and in worship, as distinct from the cheaper synthetic tablets.
