Distribution – Southeast Asia from the Himalayas to the Philippines (India, Nepal, Indochina, South China, Indonesia). Cultivated on about. Java.
Semi-shrub. The essential oil of the leaves contains camphor (“ngan-camphor”), which in China is valued more than camphor from camphor laurel. The composition of the essential oil depends on the place of growth: in the Burmese plant, it contains up to 75% 1-camphor and up to 20% 1-borneol. Chinese oil is almost entirely 1-borneol.
Leaf extract lowers blood pressure and dilates blood vessels, relieves insomnia; externally used for headaches, rheumatism. The leaves are an industrial source of camphor.
The plant contains bicyclic monoterpenes.