Camphor is a waxy, flammable, white or transparent solid with a strong aromatic odor. Its chemical formula is C10H16O. It is used for its scent in cooking, as an embalming agent and medicine, and in some religious ceremonies. Camphor was once used to embalm human remains but was replaced by formaldehyde in the early 1900s due to health risks like toxicity to the respiratory system, skin, eyes and nervous system with repeated or prolonged exposure. It is also used to repel moths and snakes, in some foods and desserts due to its antimicrobial properties, and for its fumes to prevent rust. Hindus burn camphor in religious ceremonies and it is also burnt in

1. Camphor
By: Ryan Sherrill

2. Brief Description
 Camphor, also called Camphanone, is a waxy, flammable, white or transparent solid with a
strong aromatic odor
 Chemical Formula is C10H16O
 Used mostly for it’s scent, as a cooking ingredient, an embalming agent, various
medicines, and also for religious ceremonies

3. Health Risks
 May be toxic to upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes, central nervous system
 Repeated or prolonged exposure to Camphor can produce organ damage

4. Embalming Uses
 Camphor was once used in the preservation of human remains
 In the early 1900’s laws were passed prohibiting the use of metal salts in
embalming, and camphor was replaced with Formaldehyde

5. Other Uses
 Camphor is used to repel moths, as well as reptiles such as snakes due to it’s
strong odor
 It can also be used as food ingredients, mostly desserts, it has antimicrobial
properties, and can be applied as a local anesthetic
 Camphor in its solid state releases fumes that can prevent rust

6. Religious Uses
 The Hindu burn Camphor in religious ceremonies to worship the “sacred
flame”
 It is also burnt in reverence to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and
creation

7. Personal interests in Camphor
 Camphor was used to embalm only the most prestigious people in most
cultures, warriors and kings mostly
 It is used in embalming, and also in food, which is rather fascinating to me
 In Naples in the 1850’s tincture of Camphor was used to treat the cholera
epidemic

8. Works Cited
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphor
 http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9923284
 http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/archive/tcaw/11/i12/pdf/1202chronicles.pdf