Camphor Wood External Wash

Why people make this wash

Hives and itchy skin rashes can appear suddenly and feel incredibly uncomfortable. This simple external wash using camphor wood chips has been a traditional household remedy in Cantonese households for generations. Camphor wood (Cinnamomum camphora) contains natural camphor — a compound well known for its cooling, mildly anaesthetic, and anti-itch properties when applied to the skin. Bro Niu came across camphor wood chips at a local agricultural fair and was inspired to share this classic remedy, which can provide relief within about half an hour in many cases.

The camphor wood itself also has practical secondary uses: it is a natural insect repellent for wardrobes, and the chips can be dried and reused repeatedly.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for adults as a topical wash for hives, wind-rash, and general itching
• Pregnant women: Bro Niu notes this external wash is safe to use during pregnancy, but you should try to identify and avoid the triggering allergen
• For young children with eczema, Bro Niu recommends using a wild honeysuckle (tu yin hua) wash instead, which is better suited to eczema-type inflammation
• This is for external use only — camphor compounds should not be ingested

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Camphor wood chips (zhang mu sui): The aromatic volatile oils in camphor wood have well-documented cooling and anti-pruritic (anti-itch) effects on the skin. In traditional Chinese medicine, camphor is used to dispel wind, clear dampness, and relieve surface-level itching. The aroma also has a calming quality. Camphor wood is distinct from camphor essential oil — the chips used here release their active compounds gently through simmering.

Ingredients (1 litre wash)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Camphor wood chips / shavings (zhang mu sui)	15 g	Available from some traditional Chinese herbal shops; ask for wood chips, not essential oil

Method

1. Place the camphor wood chips in a pot with 1 litre (about 4–5 cups) of water.
2. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes.
3. Remove from heat. Allow to cool until comfortably warm — not hot.
4. Use as a wash or compress on the affected itchy areas.
5. Relief from hives or wind-rash typically begins within about 30 minutes of application.

Bro Niu’s tips

Leftover camphor wood chips can be placed in a small muslin or gauze bag and hung near a window or in a wardrobe — the aromatic volatile oils act as a natural insect repellent. When the scent fades, simply set the wood pieces out in sunlight for half a day to revive the fragrance. The chips can be reused many times. Camphor wood is available from some older, traditional Chinese herbal medicine shops — not all carry it, so it is worth phoning ahead.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (pooh): I am 26 weeks pregnant and suddenly broke out in hives. Can I use this wash? Bro Niu: Yes, pregnant women can use the camphor wood wash externally. The most important thing is to try to identify what triggered the reaction and avoid it going forward.

• Q (Chan): My child is 6 years old and has had eczema since birth. Would this camphor wood wash help, or would a honeysuckle wash be better? Bro Niu: For eczema, a wild honeysuckle (tu yin hua) wash is more suitable.

• Q (MS. LEUNG): My daughter is 19 months old and has had hives for two months. She has been on Western medicine without much improvement. What soup or remedy can help? Bro Niu: Try making a drink with 1 liang of black beans, 3 qian of black sesame seeds, and 4 black dates — simmer in 5 bowls of water down to 1.5 bowls, drink in portions throughout the day, and try to eat some of the ingredients too. Continue for 3 doses. This combination is traditionally used for chronic hives and has an anti-allergic effect.

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Published January 12, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.