Seven Traditional Uses of Bhimseni Camphor

Bhimseni camphor has been part of Indian life for centuries. It is named in our classical texts, it sits in every Ayurvedic shop in the country, and most Indian homes already have some in the puja cupboard.

Here are seven ways it has traditionally been used, with simple quantities for each.

1. Steam inhalation

The best known use of all, and the one most Indian families reach for in the cold months. Add two or three flakes to a bowl of hot water, put a towel over your head and breathe the steam for a few minutes.

The aroma is cooling and opens up the whole head. Keep your face far enough from the water to be comfortable.

2. Soothing itchy skin

Dissolve a pinch of flakes into a tablespoon of coconut oil and apply to the area. The cooling sensation is immediate and is why camphor has been used this way for generations.

Always dilute it in a carrier oil — camphor is strong and is not meant to go on neat. Try a small patch first.

3. Massage oil for aches and tired muscles

Warm a little sesame or coconut oil, dissolve a pinch of Bhimseni flakes into it, and massage into the shoulders, back, knees or wherever feels tired after a long day or in cold weather.

This is such an established use that you will find camphor on the label of a great many ready-made balms. Making it fresh at home is cheaper and the aroma is far better.

4. Head and temple massage

A pinch of flakes dissolved in warm coconut oil, massaged gently into the temples and scalp. Cooling, relaxing, and a lovely thing to do at the end of a long day.

5. Keeping moths and insects away

Place two or three flakes in a small cloth pouch and tuck it into wardrobes, storage boxes, kitchen corners and under beds. It keeps moths, silverfish, cockroaches and mosquitoes away.

The pouch matters — it stops the flakes resting directly against silk or wool. Refresh every two to three weeks, when the aroma fades.

For sarees and woollens stored for a whole season, this is one of the best uses of camphor in the house.

6. In a diffuser

One flake in an aroma diffuser or burner is enough to scent a whole room. Bhimseni's aroma is finer and sweeter than ordinary camphor, and in a diffuser that difference really shows.

One flake. Two is too many — camphor is strong and a little goes a long way.

7. Prayer, meditation and a quiet room

A single flake burnt before sitting, or one in a diffuser, has been part of Indian practice for a very long time. The aroma is strongly associated for most of us with a calm, clean room, and people have found it helpful for settling the mind for centuries.

Simple quantities

• Steam inhalation: 2–3 flakes in a full bowl
• Oil blend: a pinch to a tablespoon of warm carrier oil, fully dissolved
• Wardrobe pouch: 2–3 flakes per shelf, refreshed every 2–3 weeks
• Diffuser: one flake

In every case, less is more. The commonest mistake is using too much.

Camphor is for burning, diffusing and external use only. Keep it stored closed and out of reach of small children, and speak to a qualified practitioner before using it on the body if you are pregnant or treating a child.

Why ours

Shri Ganesh Bhimseni camphor is made from camphor tree wood by steam distillation, at our own unit in Mancherial, Telangana, under M/s RPR Industries — ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified, and SMETA 2-Pillar audited.

It sublimes completely, which is the simplest sign of a good flake.