Can Camphor Trees Repel Mosquitoes? Mosquito-Repellent Principle and Effect Analysis

The camphor tree is an excellent landscaping tree, street tree and shade tree. It is a large evergreen tree of the genus Cinnamomum in the family Lauraceae. In China it is produced in the southern and southwestern provinces and regions, and it is also distributed in Vietnam, Korea and Japan; it is often introduced and cultivated in other countries. The whole plant has a camphor aroma and can be used to extract camphor and camphor oil, giving it extremely high cultivation value. Let us take a look below at whether the camphor tree can repel mosquitoes!

Can the camphor tree repel mosquitoes?

The camphor tree can repel mosquitoes. The leaves, branches and fruits of the camphor tree can all give off this fresh fragrance, the “camphor odor”, and this fresh fragrance is permanently retained, having the functions of repelling insects, preventing insects and sterilizing, so garden plantings almost never need gardeners to spray pesticides. Camphor wood also has an insect-repelling effect; the trunk of the camphor tree can be cut down to make wooden chests, and clothes placed inside will not be bitten through by insects.

What uses does the camphor tree have?

1. Economic value: The roots, wood, branches and leaves of the camphor tree can all be used to extract camphor and camphor oil. Camphor is used for medicine, plastics, explosives, preservation, insecticide and so on, while camphor oil can serve as a raw material for pesticides, ore dressing, soap making, varnish and essences. The wood is of high quality, resistant to insect damage and tolerant of water and moisture, and is used for construction, shipbuilding, furniture, chests and cabinets, boards, carving and so on.

2. Landscaping value: The camphor tree has dense branches and leaves, a broad and shady crown and a majestic form. It can absorb smoke and retain dust, conserve water sources, fix soil and prevent sand, and beautify the environment. It is an excellent tree species for urban greening and is widely used as a shade tree, street tree, shelterbelt and scenic forest, and is often used for garden ornament. Planted in clumps, groups or singly in lawns, or used as a background tree, it is majestic and spectacular. Because it is also relatively resistant to many toxic gases, has a strong ability to absorb and retain dust, and can absorb harmful gases, it is often used in cities and industrial and mining areas.

3. Medicinal value: The bark of the camphor tree has the effect of promoting qi flow and treats ulcers of the lower limbs. The fruit of the camphor tree has the effect of releasing the exterior and reducing fever, and treats high fever and colds, measles, whooping cough, dysentery and other conditions. The root of the camphor tree has the effect of regulating qi and invigorating blood and removing rheumatism, and treats vomiting and diarrhea, distending pain of the heart and abdomen, rheumatic arthralgia, traumatic injuries and other conditions. Camphor wood has the effect of dispelling rheumatism, promoting qi and blood flow and benefiting the joints, and treats distending pain of the heart and abdomen, beriberi, gout, scabies and tinea, traumatic injuries and other conditions.

What plants repel mosquitoes?

1. Night-blooming jessamine: There are many kinds of night-blooming jessamine, and the one that can repel mosquitoes is this herbaceous night-blooming jessamine, while the fragrance of other night-blooming jessamines is only used to attract pollinators to spread pollen

2. Lavender: Lavender itself has an insecticidal effect. After being touched by mosquitoes and insects, it produces a fragrance that drives them away. Made into a sachet, the fragrance becomes stronger and can prevent mosquitoes and insects.

3. Pitcher plant and Venus flytrap: Pitcher plants and Venus flytraps can prey on insects, but the drawback is that they are too passive and not very efficient.

4. Geranium: The geranium itself has a fragrance, but it is not strong, and generally does not achieve a mosquito-repelling effect.

5. Orange jessamine: The orange jessamine itself does not have a very strong fragrance, but when its leaves are crushed, it gives off a very strong, rich fragrance, and the mosquito-repelling effect is very good.

6. Mosquito-repellent plant: The leaf surface needs to be touched to release the fragrance used to repel insects. Most of the mosquito-repellent plants bought on the market are just an ordinary scented geranium.

7. Marigold: Marigold is an annual herbaceous plant and is an ideal raw material for extracting pure natural yellow pigment. In Africa it is called Khakibush, and it is commonly seen hanging under the thatched huts of the natives to drive away swarms of flies. It has a pungent odor, and mosquitoes and insects dare not approach it.