Abstract:

Lifestyle disorders - Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic musculoskeletal pain - now cause 71% of global deaths. Traditional Indian pharmacology offers two aromatic agents with contrasting routes: Camphor (Kapur, Cinnamomum camphora) and Hing (Asafoetida, Ferula asafoetida). Both are classified as Ushna Virya in Ayurveda but differ fundamentally: camphor is a bicyclic monoterpene ketone (C10H16O) approved only for topical use, while hing is an oleo-gum-resin containing sulfur compounds, ferulic acid, and sesquiterpene coumarins consumed as food.

This paper systematically compares their chemistry, antimicrobial mechanisms, and evidence in 8 major lifestyle disorders using PubMed, PMC, Molecules Journal and traditional texts. Findings show camphor is superior as a topical antimicrobial, counter-irritant and TRP-channel-mediated analgesic, while hing is superior as a systemic metabolic regulator with antidiabetic, antihypertensive, hypolipidemic and gut microbiome modulatory actions.

Keywords:

Cinnamomum camphora, Ferula asafoetida, metabolic syndrome, TRPV1, ferulic acid, antimicrobial, biofilm

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Methods