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What is a camphor chest used for?
CARVED CAMPHOR CHEST In the 18th and 19th century, chests made from naturally fragrant camphor wood were primarily used to transport tea, porcelain, and silks from China to Europe. Prior to their use in sea trade, camphor chests were used in Chinese households as storage units for objects such as blankets and linens.
Are camphor chests safe?
Camphor is easily absorbed through broken skin and can reach toxic levels in the body. When inhaled: Camphor is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when inhaled as the vapor from rubs applied to the chest. Camphor is LIKELY UNSAFE when inhaled in large amounts. Inhaling large amounts of camphor can cause toxic effects.
How do you care for camphor chest?
Dust camphor wood furniture weekly and remove stains promptly. Store outdoor camphor wood furniture in a sheltered area when not in use to avoid weather-related damage. Use a wood conditioner or moisturizing wax on your camphor wood at least twice per year.
Is camphor laurel a hardwood or softwood?
Camphor laurel yields a rich honey-coloured hardwood timber with a fresh camphor smell perfect for cutting boards, furniture and cabinetry. Camphor laurel yields a beautiful, rich honey-coloured timber with a clean, fresh camphor smell that is perfect for furniture, carving, and cabinetry.
Is camphor a oil?
Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) is a terpene (organic compound) that’s commonly used in creams, ointments, and lotions. Camphor oil is the oil extracted from the wood of camphor trees and processed by steam distillation. It can be used topically to relieve pain, irritation, and itching.
What is camphor wood in Chinese?
Camphor (Xiangzhang) 樟木
Why is camphor laurel bad?
Although it is attractive and can be a valued shade tree, it has adapted to our conditions TOO WELL. It is now causing serious problems in our bushland, rural areas, waterways and also in urban areas. Chemicals produced by the camphor laurel can poison fishlings and other water life.
Does camphor wood smell?
Aside from the dramatic color of the wood, the distinctive smell makes Camphor a unique find. The pungent, spicy scent comes from Camphor oil, which is distilled from the leaves, wood, and bark. Camphor has been around since medieval times, and generally as an oil or resin and not as a hardwood.
How do you clean a Chinese chest?
For daily cleaning, use a dry cloth. To clean heavily carved areas when dust or dirt builds up, use a soft toothbrush lightly coated in a high quality paste wax. Regular waxing of the entire piece—every six months or so—will keep antique wooden furniture in top form.
How do I know if I have camphor laurel?
Camphor laurel is easily identified by the pungent camphor odour arising from crushed leaves or exposed wood. in its native habitat there are three distinct types based on the major oil components of either camphor, cineole or linalool. the camphor form is most common in australia.
What’s the purpose of the smell of camphor?
Camphor. In addition to its medicinal values, the lingering scent of Camphor is also reported to inhibit silver from tarnishing and ward off moths, and the wood is sometimes used in trunks and chests where valuables are stored.
Why was camphorwood used as a sea chest?
Ship captains and other seafarers sought it for their sea chests to ward off moths. Perhaps it was sawyers cutting camphorwood who discovered that its scent also opened up stuffy noses. Word of camphorwood’s reputedly powerful medicinal properties spread to Europe and America, and soon even common folk considered it a cure-all.
How big does a camphor laurel tree get?
Common Name(s): Camphor, Camphor Laurel. Scientific Name: Cinnamomum camphora. Distribution: Native to southeast Asia, widely planted throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter. Average Dried Weight: 33 lbs/ft 3 (520 kg/m 3)
Where can I get camphor wood for silver?
While you won’t find camphorwood at lumberyards, it occasionally finds its way to dealers of exotic woods. If you happen upon some, you’d be wise to work it into a silverware chest—camphorwood keeps silver from tarnishing.