Camphor is obtained from Cinnamomum species C. camphora. It is a terpene compound used in popular pain balms, cremes and lotions. Camphor tablets are offered to God in many religions. Smelling small amount of camphor reduces headache and clears sinus. Adding camphor crystal (tablet) or camphor oil with other ingredients (see below recipe) is useful to relieve not just the pain, also for congestion, arthritis pain, muscle pain etc. Camphor also has antimicrobial properties and anti-inflammatory property.

Indian beetle leaf exhibits analgesic property – warm beetle leaf topical application reduces muscle ache, headache, stomach ache (especially in children). Chewing beetle leaf reduces gum pain by causing temporary numbness inside mouth. Beetle leaf is good for oral health, it is used in treating mouth wounds. 

Topical application of below mix of camphor helps to desensitize the nerve ending. It has analgesic property. Thus, topical application gives warm sensation and reduces joint pain.

Ingredients:

1.       Sesame oil -200 ml

2.       Garlic – 10 cloves

3.       Beetle leaves – 3-4

4.       Camphor -2-3

Preparation steps:

1.       Boil sesame oil

2.       Add crushed garlic cloves

3.       Cut and add beetle leaves

4.       Add powdered camphor

5.       Continue boiling till the beetle leaves turn black.

6.       After cooking, filter the oil and store in a bottle.

7.       Apply the oil on the area where you have pain and massage once or twice daily

Image credit:  Indiamart.com & Kumaravel Thangaraj, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons