A viral message is widely shared across WhatsApp and Twitter, which suggests that inhaling the vapour of camphor, clove, ajwain and eucalyptus oil can increase blood oxygen level and even relieve respiratory distress. Alt News Science found that there is no scientific basis to support this claim. Instead, sniffing the mixture can cause camphor poisoning, which in some cases is life-threatening.
The complete message in the viral post read, “Camphor, lavang, ajwain, few drops eucalyptus oil. Make potli and keep smelling it throughout the day and night. Helps increase oxygen levels and congestion.”
“This potli is also given to tourists in Ladakh when oxygen levels are low. Many ambulances are now keeping these too.”
Dr Aditya Agarwal, a pulmonologist and chest specialist based in Mumbai, dismissed the claim and said it was a myth. “It’s a myth. Smelling camphor does not increase oxygen levels. Smelling camphor clears blockages in the nasal passage that gives the feeling of better airflow,” Dr Agarwal said.
The cited research is based on a compound eugenol which is found in cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and basil and is linked with toxicity. Although the pure extract of eugenol is not recommended in this viral text, clove vapour alone may be toxic but there is no research to suggest it can increase blood oxygen or relieve respiratory distress.
There is no proof that camphor, clove or carom seeds increase blood oxygen or provide relief during respiratory distress. These may work as a ‘feel good’ therapy during mild respiratory infections or inflammatory sinusitis. Suggesting that they can increase the blood oxygen level in Covid patients can cause people to rely on the home remedy and not take medical help. Sniffing the mixture can also cause camphor poisoning, which may be life-threatening in some cases.
Evidently, the claim that smelling camphor, laung, ajwain and eucalyptus oil increases oxygen levels is false. One should also be careful in using it as an inhalant because most of the camphor available in the market is synthetically produced and might cause irritation.
