Camphor wood smells like a sharp, crystalline inhale—imagine walking into a medicine cabinet mixed with a forest after rain. It's cooling and slightly menthol-like, with an almost minty bite that makes your nostrils tingle pleasantly. There's a woody backbone underneath, dry and slightly bitter, reminiscent of eucalyptus or the scent of a freshly opened jar of VapoRub. It's clean, penetrating, and distinctly green—like nature's own antiseptic, but refined and aromatic rather than clinical.
Camphor wood derives from the camphor laurel tree (*Cinnamomum camphora*), native to East Asia, particularly Taiwan, Japan, and China. The wood contains natural camphor oil that's been harvested for centuries—historically used in traditional medicine and incense. Modern fragrance uses both the genuine essential oil (steam-distilled from wood chips) and synthetic camphor, which was first synthesised in the 1880s, making it more accessible and consistent. The synthetic version dominates modern perfumery whilst retaining the distinctive character of the natural source.
Camphor wood functions as a sharp, clarifying top or middle note that cuts through blends with crystalline brightness. Perfumers deploy it sparingly to add freshness and a slightly medicinal sophistication, often balancing sweeter or heavier notes. It's particularly valued in aromatic and green fragrances for its penetrating, clean character—a natural reformulation ingredient replacing older synthetic versions.
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