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| Camphor |
Natural
camphor is a fragrant gum that comes from the camphor tree.
Camphor
(pronounced KAM-fur) is a fragrant gum that comes from the camphor laurel tree.
Camphor
is used in medicine, explosives, and plastics, as well as in many other useful
products. (Perhaps your mother uses
balls of camphor in closers and drawers to keep moths away.)
Most
camphor trees grow in Japan and on the island of Formosa. The trees grow tall and have small white
flowers and shiny, green, leathery leaves that smell like camphor when crushed.
The
camphor is obtained by chopping the wood of the trees and steaming the chips.
The
camphor comes off as a vapor that condenses into crystals, which are then
purified into gum camphor.
The
oil left after the camphor has been taken out is known as camphor oil, which is
used in scenting soap.
Chemists
have learned to make artificial camphor that is practically identical with
camphor from the camphor trees.–Dick Rogers
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