Availability and yielding of natural camphor (Karpura) from Cinnamomum camphora Nees & Eberm

Abstract

Karpura (natural camphor) has been mentioned since the Vedic era in various formulations for therapeutic and spiritual reasons. But from the late 19^th century onwards, synthetic camphor replaced it due to its high price and unavailability of its plant material. This synthetic camphor is very low-priced as compared to a natural one. The cost-effective and unawareness about it’s side effects lead to escalating the use of synthetic camphor. Formulations mentioned in Ayurveda are with natural camphor not with synthetic. But there is no proper method described for yielding of natural camphor from Cinnamomum camphora Nees & Eberm. plant. This is an effort to know the extraction of natural camphor from wood and leaves of Cinnamomum camphora Nees & Eberm. In the present study Clevenger apparatus was used to evaluate its yielding proportion. The yielding percentage of Karpura depends on the quality, quantity, part used and maturity of plant material. Moreover, the selection of proper apparatus and procedures is also vital for the quantitative extraction of Karpura. Though having a high price, it has a unique remedial activity which is entirely different from the synthetic one that is available in the market on the trade name of Karpura.