7 Surprising Benefits of Camphor Oil for Hair

Camphor oil acts as a natural alternative for achieving healthy and attractive hair. This important essential oil is obtained using the steam distillation process of Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor laurel) and has excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties, which are ideal for hair care routine. In this blog, we will discuss some of the important benefits of camphor oil for hair health.

What is Camphor?

Also referred to as ‘Kapur’, camphor is an organic compound with numerous applications in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. With a wax-like texture, it is a flammable and transparent substance with a strong fragrance, frequently incorporated into Arabian perfumes. Both Indian Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese practices have harnessed the potential of camphor for ages, due to its diverse benefits for hair, skin, and overall health. There are many ways in which you can use camphor for hair health.

Camphor Oil Uses for Hair Health

Let’s take a look at various ways by which camphor oil benefits your hair:

1. Treats Dandruff and Combats Scalp Infections

Owing to its strong antifungal and antibacterial qualities, camphor acts as a great remedy for fighting dandruff. With the use of this essential oil, the excessive growth of Malassezia yeast on the scalp is hindered. Additionally, camphor oil helps in alleviating inflammation, thus keeping your scalp hydrated and in good condition. Moreover, it may prove beneficial in addressing scalp ringworm problems.

2. Soothes Itchiness and Irritation

Camphor oil is a natural pain reliever that reduces skin irritation and itchiness on the scalp in a very effective way. The best way to use it is to combine it with menthol or dilute it with pure coconut oil. Over time, it works on scalp irritation and inflammation, and reduces it to a great extent.

3. Prevents Premature Graying

One of the natural remedies to prevent and delay premature gray hair, which is often caused by high-stress levels and pollution, is camphor oil. The application of this oil to the scalp helps maintain hair cleanliness and shields it from free radicals. As a result, it protects the scalp against pollution-induced discoloration.

4. Stimulates Hair Growth

Camphor oil stimulates hair growth by enhancing blood circulation to the scalp. This increased circulation ensures a better nutrient supply to the hair roots, providing the necessary nourishment for healthy hair growth. Additionally, camphor oil penetrates deeply into the scalp and enriches the hair follicles, thus strengthening the hair roots.

5. Reduces Hair Fall

Camphor oil is a valuable treatment option for tackling hair-related issues such as baldness and excessive hair fall, particularly among those in their middle age. It helps in strengthening hair follicles and reduces hair breakage and loss. Acting as a cleansing agent and a potent scalp detoxifier, camphor oil keeps the scalp free from bacterial and fungal growth, dirt, and other harmful elements, and thus, further prevents hair loss.

6. Enhances Hair Texture

The use of camphor oil enhances hair texture by preventing dryness and providing essential moisture to the scalp and hair. This improvement in hair texture reduces the occurrence of rough hair, split ends, and hair breakage.

7. Can be Effective With Head Lice

Camphor oil can also effectively combat the issue of head lice. Head lice are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of the human scalp and tend to infest at a high rate. These pests are challenging to detect, move rapidly and reproduce quickly, making them a nuisance to treat. Their bites lead to red bumps on the scalp, causing irritation and excessive itching. Fortunately, camphor oil, when used for hair care, can eliminate head lice. The strong aroma and the hot and cold sensation that it produces make the scalp an inhospitable environment for lice, resulting in their swift eradication.

Note: Camphor oil is a very potent oil and can cause irritation, so it is advisable to dilute it in carrier oil before application. 

Conclusion

Camphor is indeed an amazing plant-based chemical compound that can heal numerous scalp and hair-related issues. Camphor oil can also be useful in managing head lice and dandruff problems. This oil also contains antifungal and antibacterial properties that help cure various scalp infections. Other benefits of camphor for hair include — reduction of hair fall, improvement in hair growth and the texture of hair strands, and delaying of gray hair. This is all because of its ability to offer holistic self-treatment that is safe for anyone.