Qingliang oil is composed of menthol, peppermint oil, camphor oil, camphor, eucalyptus oil, clove oil, etc. It has the functions of promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling, relieving pain and itching, and refreshing the mind. It is suitable for mosquito bites, minor burns, dizziness, and headache. However, experts remind that pregnant women and infants should use Qingliang oil with caution.
Experts say that camphor is one of the main components of Qingliang oil and has certain toxic side effects. After camphor enters the human body, the normal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the body quickly combines with it, making it into a non-toxic substance, which is then excreted with urine. Therefore, its toxic side effects will not be apparent in normal people. However, the content of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in pregnant women is reduced. If Qingliang oil is used excessively within the first three months of pregnancy, camphor will enter the amniotic cavity through the placental barrier and act on the fetus, affecting fetal growth and development, and in severe cases, leading to fetal death.
Infants also lack glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in their bodies. Camphor can penetrate into the bloodstream through the delicate skin and mucous membranes of newborns, causing red blood cells to dissolve into bilirubin. The excessive amount of bilirubin in the blood leads to neonatal jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the whole body, bluish lips, brownish urine, poor feeding, weak crying, sleepiness, and even symptoms of brain cell damage such as seizures. Even with treatment, it may still cause damage to the infant's brain function.
