Talk:Camphor

A question of names

"Camphor laurel" or "camphor tree" are used occasionally, but it seems the most commonly used name for the tree is just "Camphor". Either this article should be about both the substance and the tree, or we should come up with another solution, perhaps under Cinnamomum camphora or Camphor (tree), but not camphor laurel, for the tree. Does anyone else have an opinion? -- WormRunner | Talk 18:13, 8 Jan 2005 (UTC)

is sniffing camphor safe? please respond at napspit2's talk page.

There is also the mysterious "hence its alternate name", with no alternate name for camphor given. Anyone?Czrisher (talk) 12:46, 25 December 2008 (UTC)

Etymology of the word camphor and a few other things

I have noticed that this article mentions that the word camphor was derived from the Malay word. But, the word was actually derived from the Sanskrit word "karpuram".

Also, camphor is a substance used in Hindu worship rituals. No mention of that has been made.

It is also used as a flavouring agent in sweets in India. A specific type known as "pachha karpuram [Telugu]" which translates literally into "green camphor" is used for this particular purpose.

Also, I am interested in knowing a little more about the ancient methods of synthesis of camphor.

I refrain from writing anything in the article itself since I this is not field of expertise. I hope someone competent could be so kind to complete this article.

I would like to know something about the alchemical use of camphor.

A clear distinction between 'karpuram' and 'pachha karpuram' should be made perhaps by analyzing the two samples. This way atleast we can have something more to say about it. The 'theertha' (water infused with Paccha karpuram)offered to the devotees at hindu temples usually contain 'pachha karpuram' possibly for its anti-microbial properties. The other 'Camphor' is used in 'aratis', mini flames used to light up the idols in the dark 'sanctum sanctorums' of the hindu temples to show to the devotees the many splendered ornaments on the idols. These flames in small metal holders are passed around later to the devotees who partake in the warmth(therefore the blessings) by waving their hands lightly over the flames(Jayaram Krishnaswamy).

Sex drive inhibitor

I've heard camphor oil is added in small amounts to soldiers food in some armies due to its supposed effect as a sex drive inhibitor. Anyone know anything about that? Thank you.

Camphor is not the only substance that has this legend circulating about it. In reality, the extreme physical exertion alone is enough to decrease testosterone levels. --Vuo 16:46, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

I'm not surprised. As stated in the article, camphor is mildly toxic- any toxin is likely to inhibit sexual behavior. MissMeticulous (talk) 03:30, 7 January 2009 (UTC)

"Calming properties"

"It has calming properties." -- I moved this to Talk until we can get a cite. -- Writtenonsand 20:30, 31 January 2006 (UTC)

It has a pleasing smell, to some. Also keeps the insects away, that's bound to be calming GreatMizuti 16:23, 29 May 2006 (UTC) why chmphor gives sooty flame though it is aliphatic ketone.

The word "properties" however, has more of a chemical connotation. Unless a source can be found that states that camphor releases some sort of chemical that perhaps triggers some sort of "calm hormone" release, said quote should be left out. MissMeticulous (talk) 03:25, 7 January 2009 (UTC)

Film Preservation and Restoration

Camphor ia also apparently useful in the preservation and restoration of old movie film. See the thread at http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/amia-l/2005/12/msg00060.html .

Culinary uses

I'm concerned that much of the material in this article pertaining to culinary uses of camphor actually refers to plants such as the Camphor Laurel, and not the chemical itself. The distiction is not going to be clear however because it is likely that the chemical camphor is a significant flavorant in the plant camphor. With the recent additions of the plant taxobox, etc. it's clear that there is some conflation of the the two meanings of camphor and I'm not sure that it has yet been cleared up completely in this article. --Ed (Edgar181) 16:12, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Painful English

"strong penetrating pungent aromatic odor"--Got enough adjectives there? And each one almost means the same thing as the next. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.33.85.65 (talk • contribs)

Yes, I suspect it was a vandal trying to be amusing. We also had "waxy crystalline solid" and "white transparent.." I cleaned it up - please tweak it some more if you think it needs it. Thanks a lot for flagging this! Walkerma 05:18, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

"[W]axy crystalline solid" and "white transparent" should have been left alone, as each word brought more to the description of camphor instead of serving only as repetition. MissMeticulous (talk) 03:23, 7 January 2009 (UTC)

3D-Model

Hi, Isn't there an error in the 3d model of the molecule? If the structural formula is correct one C-atom is missing in the 3d model (take a look at the carbon atom "left" of the carbon atom bound to oxygen). Skitnik 19:16, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

Solubility data in Chembox

In the Properties section, the use of multiple parameters SolubilityOther / Solvent, as reported below, results in rendering only the last data (chloroform) :

| SolubilityOther = ~200 g in 100 ml

| Solvent = acetic acid

| SolubilityOther = ~100 g in 100 ml

| Solvent = ethanol

| SolubilityOther = ~250 g in 100 ml

| Solvent = acetone

| Solvent = ether

| SolubleOther = ~100 g in 100 ml

| SolubilityOther = ~200 g in 100 ml

| Solvent = chloroform

Does anyone knows how to fix that ? (BTW, fields & data are messy around ether)

Perhaps the best solution is to use an external table --Duckysmokton 16:57, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

Hey, that one is funny. That is something not supported by {{chembox new}}. I guess an external table would be better here. This is a bit 'table creep'. Indeed, maybe something for a data-page? --Dirk Beetstra ^{T C} 17:13, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

It used to be quite commonplace to include data for several solvents like this - the Merck Index gives such data - we should try to make the template accommodate this if possible. (Please don't ask me to do this....!) Walkerma 03:43, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

WikiProject Food and drink Tagging

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Kapur

The Online Etymological Dictionary actually says that kapur is Malay for "camphor tree", not "chalk". --Vuo (talk) 17:11, 2 October 2008 (UTC)

Snake Repellent

In the "Uses" section:

It is also believed[by whom?] that camphor will deter snakes and other reptiles due to its strong odor. Similarly, camphor is believed to be toxic to insects and is thus sometimes used as a repellent.[citation needed]

By Googling the Japanese words for "camphor" and "centipede" I came across a multitude of blog entries that either confirm, disprove or report on the use of camphor as centipede repellant by Japanese bloggers troubled by centipedes. I don't think that would count as a citation, but the belief seems to be out there. Fujisawa Shono, a maker of refined natural camphor (currently a subsidiary of Daiichi-Sankyo pharmaceuticals) lists insect repellant qualities and anti-fungal qualities as its applications (mostly for the protection of clothes), but does not list centipedes (or snakes for that matter) as targets. In Panchatantra, a collection of mythical Indian stories, there is a short story about a crab protecting a traveller from a snake that is attracted by camphor, not repelled.Tsumugi (talk) 12:20, 15 May 2009 (UTC)

Please do not include its isomers into this article

In the society of chemistry, professionals all know that the compound is usually directed to (±)-Camphor, instead of listing all the isomers to this molecule. I bet that the writers of this article do not have such disciplinary knowledges. Since the article is using trival name which is unstandardized, wiki admin needs to set a standard to avoid such confusions by either regulating of using chemical trival name as approved article title name, or using IUPAC name as the article title related to chemicals--222.64.222.141 (talk) 03:15, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

Please create another article for ...

d-Camphor http://moldb.nihs.go.jp/jp/DetailList_en.aspx?submit=Detail(en)&keyword=d-Camphor --222.64.222.141 (talk) 03:39, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

Injections of camphor

My Great Grandfather was treated with injections of camphor during periods of high temperature while suffering from typhus during the Russian Revolution. How common was it for camphor to be administered by injection? Is this ever still practised? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.57.36.235 (talk) 07:08, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

Military Use

The United States Military used camphor in a chamber to test the fit and seal of protective (gas) masks before Soldiers are led into the CS (tear gas) chamber to gain confidence in their protective equipment. The standard military filters would filter out the camphor smell so if a Soldier still smelled camphor, his/her mask was not sealed properly or the mask had a leak. As I recall, a small block of camphor was placed on top of an inverted steel can with a candle inside and the block slowly vaporized. This same set up was used to vaporize CS in another chamber. This type of training has fallen out of favor with the advent of mask leak testing devices and is rarely seen today. However Initial Combat Training (formerly known as Basic Training)still includes a trip to the CS chamber.

This is based on my experience as an Army Chemical Officer for the past 20+ years. Here is a link to an Air Force Document that includes camphor chamber training procedures (the Army used roughly the same procedures).

http://www.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFMAN32-4006.pdf

Nylotic (talk) 15:47, 8 July 2010 (UTC)