Camphor

It is also used in medicine. Camphor is readily absorbed through the skin and produces a feeling of cooling similar to that of menthol and acts as slight local anesthetic and antimicrobial substance. There are anti-itch gels and cooling gels with camphor as the active ingredient. Camphor is an active ingredient (along with menthol) in vapor-steam products, such as Vicks VapoRub, and it is effective as a cough suppressant. It may also be administered orally in small quantities (50 mg) for minor heart symptoms and fatigue.
In the 18th century, it was used by Auenbrugger in the treatment of mania.
Some folk remedies also state that camphor will deter snakes and other reptiles due to its strong odor. Similarly, camphor is believed to be toxic to insects and is thus sometimes used as a repellent.
Camphor is widely used in Hindu religious ceremonies. Hindus worship a holy flame by burning camphor, which forms an important part of many religious ceremonies. Camphor is used in the Mahashivratri celebrations of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and (re)creation. As a natural pitch substance, it burns cool without leaving an ash residue, which symbolizes consciousness. Of late, most temples in southern India have stopped lighting camphor in the main Sanctum Sanctorium due to heavy deposits of carbon; however, open areas do use camphor. it also acts as rubifacient used as counter irritant for inflammed joints,sprains,rheumatic and other inflammed conditions like cold it may be used as mild nasopharyngeal decongestant It is also found in clarifying masks used for skin.
Recently, carbon nanotubes were successfully synthesized using camphor in chemical vapor deposition process.
Other substances deriving from trees are sometimes wrongly sold as camphor.