Camphor tree (Kapur barus)

Dryobalanops aromatica

Description

Dryobalanops aromatica is a large emergent tree from the Dipterocarpaceae family, growing up to 75 m tall. Bark is fissured. Leaves are small, green, broadly ovate and alternate. Flowers are bigger than the leaves, they have five white oblong petals with yellow anthers. Fruits consist of nuts with five wings allowing seed dispersal far from the mother tree.

Place of origin

Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra

Ethnobotanical uses

Camphor tree has a heavy hard wood locally sold as Kapur. It is used for the construction of boats, furniture and flooring. The seed powder is traditionally used as a medicine to treat colic and stomachache. The oil extracted from the nuts is traditionally used to treat rheumatism, headaches, acne, swellings and conjunctivitis. The resin is used as dammar gum. The dammar gum is used as main ingredients to make varnish for enamels and interior work. The wood contains camphor. To extract it, hot steam is passing through roasting wood chips and then the vapor is condensed to collect the camphor extract. Camphor is used for perfumes and incense, as skin cream or ointment to relieve itching from insect bites, minor skin irritation, or joint pain and it is also used as respiratory aerosol to inhibit coughing and relieve upper airway congestion due to the common cold.

IUCN conservation status

Vulnerable (VU)