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News India Live, Digital Desk: Camphor Benefits: Whenever there is puja or aarti at home, our eyes definitely go to the camphor burning in the aarti plate. Have you ever wondered why a small matchstick starts burning so fast as soon as you show it to it? And why does it not burn and leave smoke or ash, but simply disappears in the air? There is no magic behind it, but simple science and the secret of its structure is hidden. Let us know this interesting story of camphor today. Why does it catch fire immediately? Camphor is a very flammable substance. In simple language, it requires very little heat to catch fire. As soon as a burning match is brought near it, it immediately reaches its ‘ignition point’ (the temperature at which something starts burning) and burns. It does not leave any residue, such as ash or black smoke, when it burns because it directly changes from solid to gas and gets completely burnt and gets mixed into the air. After all, where does this camphor come from? You will probably be surprised to know that the real camphor is not made in any factory, Rather, it is extracted from the wood of a particular tree. Camphor tree: The name of this tree is ‘Cinnamomum camphora’. This tree is found in countries like China, Japan, Taiwan and is also grown in India in places like Dehradun, Mysore and Saharanpur. Method of preparation: To make camphor, the wood of this tree is cut into small pieces and boiled in water. Then its steam is collected. When this steam cools, it solidifies and small grains (crystals) of camphor are formed. This is the real and pure ‘desi camphor’. Difference between real and fake camphor. Nowadays, most of the camphor available in the market is not real. It is made from turpentine oil by chemical process. It looks similar to the original but can be harmful to health. The aroma of real camphor is very strong and relaxing, and it settles down when added to water, whereas fake camphor may float on the surface. What is its significance in puja? There is also a deep spiritual meaning in the camphor burning and disappearing without leaving any trace. This teaches us that just as camphor burns itself completely and makes the atmosphere fragrant and leaves no existence of itself, similarly man should also burn his ego, his vices and the sense of ‘I’ and merge into God. So the next time you see camphor burning, remember not only its aroma, but also the science and deep meaning behind it.