Common Name: Camphor Bush

General Information

Camphor bush is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing up to 9 metres tall. It is usually much-branched with a narrow crown. The bole is up to 40cm in diameter[].
The plant is often gathered from the wild for its leaves, which are used medicinally and as the source of an essential oil. The tree is also valued for its wood. In Europe the imported essential oil has been used in several cosmetic products since 1994[]. A popular indigenous ornamental in South Africa, specially suited for bonsai with its aggressive root system[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Eastern Africa - Ethiopia and Somalia, south to S. Africa. Also in Angola and Botswana.

Habitat

A common plant of the savannah biome, dry forest margins or secondary deciduous bushland, woodland and wooded grassland often dominant or co-dominant and commonly associated with Acacia spp. and Adansonia digitata[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	7.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant mainly of the drier tropics and subtropics, it is found at elevations from around sea level to 2,750 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 17 - 33°c, but can tolerate 8 - 38°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -2°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 300 - 600mm, but tolerates 150 - 800mm[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Tolerant of a range of soils, preferring deep soils but also commonly found on stony soils in the wild[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7[]. The plant is drought tolerant, and can also withstand seasonal waterlogging[]. Plants are tolerant of salt-laden winds[].
In its natural range the wild camphor bush is an invasive colonizer[]. The plant is drought hardy, highly resistant to burning and cutting and can become a troublesome weed[].
The plant has a moderate growth rate of around 600 - 800mm/year[].
Young plants transplant easily[].
The tree responds well to coppicing, which is an important management practice[].
The leaves have a strong smell of camphor[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

The leaves have the taste of camphor[, ]. They are chewed, smoked or taken as a snuff[, ]. They are slightly narcotic[].

A tea is made from the leaves[].

Medicinal

The plant is used as a treatment for bronchitis and other chest ailments; for chilblains, tired legs and sore feet[].
Problems such as blocked sinuses and headache can be healed by inhaling the smoke from the burning green leaves[].

The leaves are antispasmodic, diaphoretic, narcotic, resolvent and tonic[, , ]. An infusion is used in the treatment of stomach ailments, heartburn, asthma and over-anxiety[, ]. Drinking a boiled mixture of leaves and water can help to treat coughing, toothache, abdominal pain and bronchitis[].
The leaves can also be used for massaging body stiffness[].

The essential oil obtained from the leaves has been found to have excellent cosmetic and dermatological properties specially as soothing, anti-irritation, decongestant remedy for sensitive skins, dermatitis, sunburns, bedsores, etc[].

The root is an ingredient of tonic soups[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Camphor bush has an extensive root system and can be used for dune fixation and prevention of soil erosion by wind and water[, ].
The tree is drought and fire resistant and can be used to reclaim dry lands[]. Its resistance to fire is remarkable, little mortality is seen even after three burnings, making it ideal for firebreaks[].
The plant is wind firm and amenable to trimming. It can act as a tall hedge and windbreak for low winds[, ].
The slow decomposing leaves improve soil fertility[].

Other Uses

The essential oil extracted from leaves is the safest and most effective natural product for protection from mosquitoes, midges and many kinds of biting insects[]. The product, containing only 0.3% of the active ingredient, is effective for 6 - 10 hours, therefore guaranteeing protection even for an entire night[].
In Europe, the imported oil has been used in several cosmetic products since 1994[].

The leaves of the plant are carried as a deodorant[].

The cotton wool like seed heads have been used to stuff cushions[].

The wood is close-grained, heavy, termite resistant[, ]. It is recommended for musical instruments, joiner's fancy work, general utensils etc[, ].
Provides a high quality fuel wood, burning well even when green[, ].

Propagation

Seed - traditionally, it is sown in situ[]. The seed takes about 56 days to germinate[].
Wild collected seedlings are transplanted into gardens[].
Cuttings of young wood[]. These cuttings usually require rooting hormone to help them root[].

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