What is Camphor Laurel?

Camphor Laurel (Cinnamonmum Camphora), from the Lauraceae family is a fast growing broad-leaved evergreen tree. Originally native to warm temperature and subtropical areas of East Asia, Camphor Laurel is believed to have been introduced into Australia in the early 1800's with the earliest recording in 1830. Due to its rapid growth patterns Camphor Laurel was considered a menace until recently when academic research into the wood and its properties have unveiled unique uses, resulting in it being worth more than a lot of exotic timbers.

One of the discoveries of Camphor Laurel is its unique, naturally occurring anti-bacterial property. Independent University testing has discovered Camphor Laurel to be a superior food preparation surface due it its ability to reduce bacterial and fungal growth through naturally occurring elements in the wood, thereby minimizing risk of cross-contamination.  Below is an outline of the research findings:

  

Board Type	Fungi	Bacteria	total
Camphor Laurel	3.3	0.7	4.0
Cedar	8.0	1.7	9.7
Plastic	9.7	7.3	17.0
Glass	5.7	8.0	13.7

Mean number of organisms remaining on each cutting surface:

 

 

 

 

 

Tests carried out by Alan Waterson B.Sc. (Hons)Dip Ed, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW Australia. April 2002