■Camphor trees are familiar to Japanese peopleIf you see a thick, sturdy evergreen tree with lush branches and leaves at a shrine, temple, park or school, it is most likely a camphor tree.
It is a familiar presence, like a guardian deity or elder. Its leaves are glossy and have a pleasant fragrance when torn off, and when it blooms it spreads its sweet fragrance.
However, this tree's appeal doesn't end there; essential oil can be extracted by steam distillation of wood chips, which crystallizes on cooling to create the long-familiar insect repellent "camphor."
Until recently, camphor was the go-to insect repellent for clothing. Its sharp, pungent smell makes it an essential ingredient in humid Japan.
Camphor trees are tall evergreen trees that grow naturally in Taiwan, China, and Japan. They are large trees that can reach heights of 20 to 40 meters.
This tree has been familiar to Japan since ancient times, and is mentioned in the Kojiki (712) and Nihon Shoki (720).
During the Asuka period, camphor began to be used as a material for making Buddhist statues, and the Maitreya Bodhisattva statue at Chuguji Temple (Nara Prefecture) is a masterpiece of a Buddhist statue carved from camphor wood.
It may be surprising to learn that camphor trees are in the Cinnamomum genus of the Lauraceae family, the same species as Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum).


■Characteristics of the essential oil: Tree of Life's camphor essential oil is a SFF (safrole-free essential oil) that does not contain the irritant safrole, as it is double distilled.
The main components are 1,8-cineole and limonene.
It has a softer, slightly sweeter, and more versatile scent than Eucalyptus globulus, which also contains 1,8-cineole as its main component.

■Advice from a Tree of Life perfumer Holy leaf has the same scientific name (Cinnamomum camphora) but is extracted from a different part of the plant, making it even milder and a great blender for camphor.
If you want a sharper 1,8-cineole scent, try Eucalyptus globulus or Tea Tree.
For those who don't like the herbal scent of 1,8-cineole, we recommend limonene-based essential oils such as lemon or grapefruit.

■ Recommended aroma recipes: A gentle woody aroma. 3 drops of camphor tree, 2 drops of holy leaf, 1 drop of cypress.

- Citrus is added for an easy-to-use aroma, and menthol gives it a cool, refreshing aroma. Recommended for the hot season.
3 drops of camphor 2 drops of peppermint 2 drops of lemon

A slightly sharp, woody aroma: 3 drops of camphor tree, 2 drops of eucalyptus radiata, 1 drop of cypress


This essential oil has been certified as meeting the labeling standards set by the Japan Aroma Environment Association, a public interest incorporated association.


*The price of 1000ml may change depending on the season and weather.
We appreciate your understanding.

*The instruction manual has been made available online.
After opening the packaging, please use the QR code on the top flap to access the official Tree of Life website.