- a white transparent waxy crystalline solid with a strong penetrating pungent aromatic odor

-found in wood of the camphor laurel, Cinnamonum camphora, which is a large evergreen tree found in Asia (particularly in Borneo, hence its alternate name)

- can also be synthetically produced from oil of turpentine

- used for its scent, as an embalming fluid and for medicinal purposes

- has calming properties

- readily absorbed through the skin

- produces a feeling of cooling similar to that of menthol

- acts as slight local anesthetic

- poisonous when ingested and can cause seizures, mental confusion, irritability, and neuromuscular hyperactivity

Modern uses:

- a plasticizer for cellulose nitrate

- a moth repellent

- in embalming

-in fireworks

- a form of anti-itch gel currently on the market uses camphor as its active ingredient

-used in medicine (historically)

Formal Chemical Name

(IUPAC)
1,7,7-trimethyl-bicyclo(2,2,1)heptan-2-one

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