Camphora
Camphora, commonly known as camphor, is a versatile medicinal plant prized for its aromatic properties. Derived from the wood of various trees, it serves as a potent remedy for respiratory issues, skin irritations, and muscle aches. Its cooling sensation and antiseptic qualities make it a staple in traditional healing.
- Scientific name: Camphora
- Family: Lauraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Laurales and the family Lauraceae. Ultimately, this medicinal species is identified by the genus Cinnamomum (often associated with the genus Camphora in botanical contexts).
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Laurales | WCVP |
| Family | Lauraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Camphora | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cinnamomum camphora, is referred to by several different names depending on the linguistic context and regional script. In various Chinese language forms, including Simplified Chinese (zh, zh-cn, zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and the Wu Chinese dialect (wuu), it is commonly identified as 樟属 (or 樟屬 in Traditional script).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 樟属 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 樟属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 樟屬 | Wikidata |
| wuu | 樟属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 樟属 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 樟屬 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct tropical regions. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the nation of Guinea. The species also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, particularly around the islands of the Gulf of Guinea. Furthermore, it can be found throughout the Western Indian Ocean, inhabiting several key island territories. Specifically, its range includes the islands of Mauritius, Réunion, and the Seychelles.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
Activities
Camphora has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Appetite-Suppressant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Appetite-Suppressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Camphora has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| SARS-CoV-2 infection | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |