Camphor is an organic compound of natural origin that contains oxygen.
It looks like a white or transparent powder, whose granules are in the form of a crystal. It is also characterized by a strong specific smell.
Camphor origin
In nature, camphor is found in the essential oils of various plants. Its largest amount was found in the wood and resin of camphor laurel. It is from it that camphor, called natural, is extracted. There is also semi-synthetic camphor, obtained from fir oil, and synthetic camphor, for the manufacture of which turpentine is processed.
Many believe that the most useful and safest camphor is natural. However, medicines are made from it only for internal use. Synthetic and semi-synthetic camphors are included in products for external use only, but they are not inferior to natural camphor in terms of strength.
Camphor:properties
Camphor is an analeptic, that is, a substance that excites the central nervous system, namely its respiratory and vasomotor centers. This is manifested in increased breathing, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and constriction of peripheral vessels.
In addition, when applied topically, camphor acts on body tissues and has an irritating, distracting, disinfecting, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. This helps to improve tissue nutrition, accelerate the removal of decay products and heal the affected areas.
During inhalation treatment with the aroma of camphor, improvement of cerebral circulation, removal of fatigue and depression, elimination of general weakness and improvement of sleep are noted.
It is for these properties that camphor is so valued in medicine.
Camphor: medical applications
Camphor is used as a solution for injection and administered subcutaneously with a decrease in vascular tone and respiratory depression.
These symptoms are characteristic of deadly he alth conditions: collapse, hypotension, shock, fainting, congestive heart failure, myocarditis, endocarditis, carbon monoxide poisoning, sleeping pills and narcotic drugs.
By administering camphor, a person who has been harmed and begins to choke or faint from weakness can be revived.
In addition, when exposed to camphor, the body improves the condition of the heart muscle and accelerates the metabolism in cells, increasesblood flow in the vessels leading to the brain and lungs, which can significantly improve the patient's condition.
There are preparations of camphor for external use, such as camphor alcohol or camphor oil. What are they used for?
Topical application of these drugs is indicated for damage to tissues, muscles, nerves and joints. The healing effect is observed in the treatment of burns, purulent wounds, frostbite, bruises, bruises, trophic ulcers. Treatment occurs by applying compresses, ointments or lotions with camphor to the affected areas. The same method is indicated for the prevention of pressure ulcers in immobile patients.
In complex treatment, camphor preparations help to get rid of pain in muscles and joints that occur with arthralgia, myalgia, sciatica, sciatica, neuralgia.
Camphor: how to use
To relieve pain in muscles or joints, as well as neuralgia, mix 5 drops of 10% camphor oil and 1 tbsp of any massage oil. Rub this mixture on the affected area and cover it with a clean cloth. Camphor ointment, which can be used in its pure form, is also well suited for these purposes.
Aromatherapy helps with overwork, prolonged insomnia, stress: put 2 drops of camphor essential oil in the aroma lamp bowl and inhale the aroma.
With otitis media (ear inflammation), swabs soaked in camphor oil and applied behind the sore ear can help. From above they are covered with polyethylene and insulated with a wool bandage. Hold this compressfollows 30 minutes, then withdraw.
For the healing of ulcers, wounds and hematomas, it is necessary to dilute camphor alcohol in half with water, moisten a sterile cloth with this solution and apply compresses to the affected areas of the body. From above, it is desirable to cover the compress with a warm bandage. Instead of alcohol, you can also use camphor oil for external use, it is advisable to mix it with sunflower oil in equal proportions so as not to cause an allergic reaction in the body.
For colds with a strong cough, rub the chest, back and feet of the patient with camphor oil at night and wrap them warmly.
Camphor ointment or dilute camphor alcohol is prescribed to prevent pressure sores in immobile patients. The procedure is carried out after hygiene measures. The patient needs to treat those parts of the body that are subjected to pressure (blood flow is disturbed in them). These places are rubbed with camphor oil or ointment, and camphor alcohol mixed with water, two or three times a day, to prevent the formation of bedsores. This must be done daily while the patient is in this condition.
Beware of camphor
There are many prescriptions for using camphor internally, but this is fraught with side effects. For example, with otitis media, it is recommended to drip camphor oil into the sore ear, for which undiluted 10% oil is used for external use. However, otitis media can be complicated by perforation of the eardrum, and ingestion of oil can aggravate the patient's condition.
Attention! If you are definitely notIf you know if the camphor in your first aid kit is natural, then you should not bury it in your ears, nose or drink it, as this can cause serious consequences. It is better to limit yourself to external use and aromatherapy.
Camphor has a slight sedative effect, so it is not recommended for patients whose activities require attention and quick response.
Remember that after contact with camphor you need to wash your hands, as it quickly absorbs into the skin, and if careless can get into your eyes or mouth.
Before self-medicating, test your sensitivity to camphor by placing a small amount on the skin and observing the body's reaction.
You should not self-inject camphor for injection under the skin, as this can only be done by a competent medical officer. Camphor for injection is diluted with fatty oil, which can solidify when it enters the vessel and clog it.
It is better not to use camphor preparations without consulting a doctor.
Drugs
Since camphor is a powder, it is diluted in various substances for ease of use.
Solution for injection 20% - solution of camphor in olive or peach oil for subcutaneous injection.
Before use, the solution should be heated to body temperature to prevent it from solidifying. Do not allow the solution to enter the vessel, this may lead to blockage.
Camphor essential oil is a concentrated remedy that should be used only in strongdiluted.
Camphor oil 10% for external use - camphor solution in sunflower oil.
Camphor ointment is a mixture of camphor, petroleum jelly, paraffin and lanolin for external use.
Camphor alcohol - a solution of camphor in 90% alcohol for external use.
Camphor alcohol 2% - a solution of camphor in weak alcohol.
Alcohol solution of camphor and salicylic acid.
"Camphocin" - a mixture of camphor, salicylic acid, turpentine oil, methyl salicylate, castor oil, tincture of capsicum.
"Denta" (tooth drops) - a mixture of camphor with chloral hydrate and alcohol. Prescribed for toothache.
Tooth drops with camphor, peppermint oil and valerian tincture - soothing, analgesic, distracting.
"Kameton", "Kamphomen" - aerosols for the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract, containing camphor.
Camphorphene is a liquid used in dentistry and contains camphor.
There are many more preparations where the active substance is camphor. The composition of other components in them can be very diverse. For example: ointment "Kapsicam", "Revma-gel", "Finalgon", "Sanitas" and others. All of them are prescribed mainly for external use to relieve inflammation and pain relief.
All camphor preparations lose their properties when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, therefore they require storage in a dry, dark and cool place.
Over the counter.
Camphor: contraindications
There are contraindications tothe use of drugs that contain camphor. The instructions for use contain the following warnings.
Contraindications for subcutaneous administration of camphor: sensitivity to the drug, a tendency to convulsions (epilepsy), insufficient lactation in lactating women, chronic heart failure, aneurysm (bulging wall) of large vessels.
Contraindications for local use of camphor: open wounds on the skin, hypersensitivity to the drug, a tendency to allergic reactions.
Camphor: use with care
During pregnancy, camphor is undesirable, as it easily crosses the placental and blood-brain barrier.
When breastfeeding, camphor can enter the baby's body through milk, and its use reduces the amount of breast milk.
Camphor is contraindicated for children under the age of 2 years, but children in general should be careful when using preparations containing camphor.
Camphor side effects
For drugs containing camphor, the instructions for use must be followed strictly to avoid the following negative reactions from the body.
When administered subcutaneously, there may be a blockage of blood vessels with an oily solution - an oil embolism. In addition, the wrong dosage or individual sensitivity to the drug can cause respiratory arrest and convulsions, headache, dizziness, irritability.
When applied topically to the skinallergic reactions may occur: rashes, irritation, itching.
If any side effects occur, stop using camphor preparations and consult a doctor.
