Karpura Camphor

Karpura Camphor is an isolated compound rather than a whole plant drug. Rapidly metabolized hepatically to hydroxycamphor and glucuronic acid conjugates. Peak plasma levels in 15-30 minutes. Narrow therapeutic index; doses above 500 mg may cause toxicity.

Key facts
Substance type	Isolated compound or extract, not a whole plant drug
Also known as	Karpura Camphor, KarpuraCamphor

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Karpura (Camphor)

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

Property	Value	Description
Rasa (Taste)	Tikta, Katu	Primary taste
Guna (Quality)	Laghu, Ruksha	Physical quality
Virya (Potency)	Sheeta	Heating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)	Katu	Post-digestive effect

What is it made of?

Mineral/Elemental Profile

Primary component: Mineral-derived preparation
Note: Composition varies by specific preparation method

Analytical Methods: XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Tablet (with excipients to prevent sublimation), Taila (camphorated oil), Balm/Ointment, Inhalation preparation, Lepa (paste), Arka (distillate)

Standard Dosage: Internal: 60-125 mg with appropriate Anupana (honey, ghee); External: 2-10% concentration in oil/ointment base; Inhalation: 2-5% in steam

Bioavailability: Camphor is rapidly and almost completely absorbed through all routes — oral, inhalation, and transdermal. Oral bioavailability >90%. Rapidly metabolized hepatically to hydroxycamphor and glucuronic acid conjugates. Peak plasma levels in 15-30 minutes. Narrow therapeutic index; doses above 500 mg may cause toxicity. Transdermal delivery through lipophilic bases provides sustained local effects.

Optimal Timing: External applications: as needed, 2-4 times daily; inhalation: before bed for respiratory congestion; internal: after meals under medical supervision only

Standardized Extract: Natural camphor: minimum 96% d-camphor (dextrorotatory) by GC; camphor oil standardized to 50-65% camphor with cineole and safrole content <0.1%

Shelf Life: 12 months for tablets (sublimation loss); 36 months for oil preparations; 24 months for balms/ointments in sealed containers

Storage: Store in airtight, hermetically sealed containers at 15-25°C. Camphor sublimes readily — loose containers will lose content. Keep away from heat, flame (highly flammable), and children. Double containment for bulk camphor storage.

Marker Compounds: d-Camphor (natural), dl-Camphor (synthetic), Borneol, Camphene, 1,8-Cineole, Alpha-pinene, Linalool

Extraction Methods

Steam distillation from Cinnamomum camphora wood
Sublimation and resublimation for purification
Fractional distillation of camphor oil
Synthetic production from alpha-pinene (turpentine-derived — must be labeled if synthetic)

Synergistic Combinations

Menthol for cooling analgesic balms
Nilgiri Taila (Eucalyptus oil) for respiratory decongestant
Ajwain for topical pain relief
Kapoor Kachri for aromatic medicinal preparations
Gandhapura Taila (Wintergreen oil) for counter-irritant formulations

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