Perfectly suited to the whole family, Ravintsara essential oil is the star of the world of aromatherapy! Very suitable for infections affecting the ENT sphere, colds, otitis, sinusitis and many others will not resist it. Its antiviral action and its immunomodulating effects are indeed powerful and recognized by all professionals and fans of essential oils. In Malagasy, Ravintsara means “tree with good leaves”, so take advantage of all its benefits now! Latin name: Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl. Distilled part: leaves
This article was updated on 23/06/2023Precautions for use
Probably the most flexible of essential oils! Everyone can use Ravintsara essential oil with the obvious exception of pregnant women under 3 months and babies under 3 months. It can also be used by all routes. However, it is preferable for people with asthma and epilepsy to seek advice from their doctor before use.
Authorized users
Possible ways of use
Risks of use
Other precautions
Medical advice
- Be sure to seek medical advice before using Ravintsara essential oil for people with asthma.
- Be sure to seek medical advice before using it for people with epilepsy due to the epileptogenic risk it presents at high doses.
Skin application
In children under 6 years of age, skin application is contraindicated on the neck and face, and not recommended on the upper chest. We will favor application behind the ears, on the back or on the arch of the foot.
Contraindications
- After several days of use, pay attention to possible drug interference.
- There is a risk of addiction with prolonged use.
Allergenic components
Ravintsara essential oil contains few allergenic biochemical components.
- limonene (≤ 2%)
- linalool (≤ 0.5%)
- geraniol (≤ 0.5%)
Note: It is preferable to test the essential oil before using it (two drops in the crook of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check that there is no reaction).
Properties of Ravintsara essential oil
Ravintsara essential oil is highly concentrated in 1.8 cineole, alpha-terpineol and monoterpene alcohols. These different molecules give it the following main properties:
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antiviral ++++ (α-terpineol, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol)):
ravintsara essential oil is known to be one of the most powerful natural antivirals. According to several studies, it acts mainly by inhibiting the replication of the virus. It is particularly effective on enveloped viruses, notably those responsible for herpes. It is also effective on viruses responsible for influenza or gastroenteritis.
-
immunomodulating ++++ (α-terpineol, monoterpene alcohols):
ideal during winter periods, it promotes the body's ability to defend itself against certain pathogenic germs such as bacteria, viruses or fungi. Monoterpene alcohols such as α-terpineol allow the maintenance of the physiological production of immunomodulators such as IL-10 or certain anti-inflammatory markers.
-
broad spectrum antibacterial +++ (α-terpineol, terpinene-4-ol, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), sabinene):
ravintsara essential oil contains several monoterpenes having shown an antibacterial action on numerous germs, notably by aromatogram. Its antibacterial action could therefore be partly explained by the presence of α-terpineol, terpinene-4-ol, and 1,8-cineole. The latter is capable of destroying bacterial cell membranes.
-
expectorant +++ (1,8-cineole (eucalyptol)):
1,8-cineole, strongly present in Ravintsara essential oil, has the ability to stimulate the exocrine glands of the respiratory mucous membranes. Thus, by thinning the secretions blocking the respiratory tract, it promotes their expulsion.
But also these secondary properties:
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-oxidant
- spasmolytic
- antifungal
In case of' ENT viral epidemic, Flu, ENT infection
Efficiency: ++++
Simple use
From 6 years old and for adults:
- Dermal : 3 drops of Ravintsara to distribute in the lower back, along the spine and on the thorax, 4 to 5 times a day, until improvement.
- Oral route: 1 drop of Ravintsara in a teaspoon of honey or olive oil or on sugar, 4 times a day, until improvement.
From 3 months to 6 years, and for pregnant women over 3 months. Favor the skin route, on the back and on the soles of the feet, by diluting Ravintsara essential oil to 10% in a vegetable oil (1 dose of essential oil for 9 doses of vegetable oil).
Use in synergy
Reserved for ages 6+. Place 3 drops of the mixture on the chest and upper back. Repeat 6 times a day for 2 to 3 days.
- 60 drops of Ravintsara essential oil
- 40 drops of Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil
- 20 drops of Noble Laurel essential oil
- 40 drops of Black Spruce essential oil
- 80 drops (4 mL) of Nigella vegetable oil
More details or other users: essential oils against the flu.
To boost the Immunity
Efficiency: ++++
Simple use
From 3 years old and for adults. By vskin goose, 3 drops of Ravintsara on the wrists and breathe deeply, for prevention, once a day, during risky periods. Take a one-week break after three weeks of use.
From 3 months to 3 years, and for pregnant women over 3 months. Same use as above, but by diluting Ravintsara essential oil to 10% in a vegetable oil (1 dose of essential oil for 9 doses of vegetable oil).
Use in synergy
Reserved for ages 6+. Massage 2 drops of the mixture onto the chest and 2 drops onto the back. Renew the application 3 times a day. For prolonged use or for sensitive skin, dilute in vegetable oil:
- 100 drops of Ravintsara essential oil
- 30 drops of Tea Tree essential oil
- 10 drops of Thyme essential oil
- 30 drops of Lemon essential oil
More details or other users: essential oils to boost immunity.
Against the Fatigue
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
From 3 years old & for adults. Dermal & inhalation, 2 drops of Ravintsara on the wrists and breathe deeply.
Ravintsara or Black Epinette?
Best candidate in case of intense fatigue: ravintsara essential oil will be very effective, but if you have some on hand, black Spruce will be even better! Cutaneously: 2 drops in 8 drops of vegetable oil applied to the lower back at the kidney level, 3 times a day. Take a one-week break after three weeks of use.
In case of Depression
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
For adults and adolescents. Dermal & inhalation, 2 drops of Ravintsara on the wrists and breathe deeply, regularly during the day. If this proves insufficient, massage the lower spine with 4 drops of pure Ravintsara essential oil, twice a day.
However, don't just rely on essential oils, get help from friends or a professional to help you overcome your difficulties.
Use in synergy
Reserved for ages 6+. 3 drops on the solar plexus and on the inside of the wrists, 2 to 3 times a day of the following mixture:
- 3 drops of Shell Marjoram essential oil
- 5 drops of Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil
- 2 drops of Ravintsara essential oil
- 2 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil
- 1 drop of Lemon Verbena essential oil
- 1 drop of Frankincense essential oil
If the depression is significant, massage along the spine with 8 drops of the mixture, twice a day.
Source: Baudoux, D. (2002). Aromatherapy: treating yourself with essential oils. Amyris.
Ravintsara or Neroli?
Best candidate in case of nervous breakdown: ravintsara essential oil will be effective, but if you have some on hand (and can afford it), neroli essential oil will be better! Cutaneously, 2 drops of HE in 4 drops of vegetable oil on the inside of the wrists, on the thorax and lower back, morning and evening for 3 weeks.
Against the Perleche (cheilitis)
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Adults and children over 3 years old. Dermal, prepare a mixture with 15 drops of EO in 9.5 mL of Nigella vegetable oil. Apply to the affected area up to 3 times daily depending on improvement. After 20 days or in the event of signs of worsening, medical advice is recommended.
Ravintsara or Geranium Rosat?
Ravintsara essential oil will be very effective against perlèche, but if you have some on hand, that of Geranium will be even better! For children, prepare a mixture with 9 drops of EO in 9.7 mL of Black Seed oil. Apply to the affected area up to 3 times daily depending on improvement. After 20 days or in the event of signs of worsening, medical advice is recommended.
More details or other users: essential oils against perleche.
In case of' Herpes
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Children from 6 years old. Through the skin, apply 1 drop to the herpes spot 5 to 6 times a day, using a cotton swab or clean finger, for 7 to 8 days. Wash your hands thoroughly after application. In case of sensitive skin, dilute in 1 drop of Black Seed oil or a touch of Shea butter.
From 3 years old and for reactive skin. Through the skin, prepare a 20% mixture (60 drops of essential oil in 8 mL of vegetable oil). Apply 1 drop of the mixture to the affected area, 5 to 6 times a day, using a cotton swab or clean finger, for 7 to 8 days.
Use in synergy
For adults and adolescents. Apply 1 to 2 drops of the pure mixture on the pimple, 5 to 6 times a day for 5 days:
- 80 drops (4 mL) Ravintsata essential oil
- 20 drops (1 mL) Peppermint essential oil
Source: Millet, F. (2022). The great guide to essential oils. Marabout.
Ravintsara or Niaouli?
Ravintsara essential oil will be very effective, but if you haveniaouli essential oil on hand, it will be even more suitable! Cutaneously, 1 drop of Niaouli on the affected area, every 2 hours, until the herpes disappears.
Against the Gastroenteritis
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
From 6 years old and for adults. Orally, place 1 drop of Ravintsara essential oil on a neutral support (neutral tablet, teaspoon of honey, vegetable oil), up to 4 times a day, for 4 to 5 days maximum.
From 3 years old and for adults. Through the skin, massage 2 drops onto the stomach, 3 to 5 times a day for 3 days. In case of sensitive skin, dilute in a few drops of vegetable oil.
Use in synergy
For adults and adolescents. Place on a neutral support, take 3 times a day for 4 to 5 days:
- 1 drop of Ravintsara essential oil
- 1 drop of Niaouli essential oil
- 1 drop of Palmarosa essential oil
Source: MANSARD, M., LAURAIN-MATTAR, D. & COUIC-MARINIER, F. (2019). Ravintsara essential oil.
Ravintsara or Chinese Cinnamon?
Ravintsara essential oil will be very effective, but if you havecinnamon essential oil, it will be even more powerful. Orally, 1 drop on a support, combined with 1 drop of lemon essential oil (liver protectant). Let it melt in the mouth, 3 times a day until improvement. Do not exceed 5 days of use.
Other famous applications of Ravintsara
Ravintsara essential oil is used on many occasions, particularly linked to its antiviral, immunomodulating, antibacterial and expectorant properties. For the majority ofhe following uses, it will be effective, but without necessarily being the best essential oil. We therefore indicate to you the best replacement for Ravintsara for the following different problems.
Shingles
Ravintsara effective, but... it is better to use theniaouli essential oil against shingles: cutaneously, 2 pure drops (or 50% dilution in vegetable oil) on the affected area, up to 6 times a day.
Sleep problems, Insomnia
Ravintsara effective, but... it is better to use theroman Chamomile essential oil against insomnia. It can be used from the age of 3 months in diffusion for example, 10 minutes before bedtime or by cutaneous application, 1 drop diluted in 9 drops of vegetable oil, massage on the plexus solar and/or the soles of the feet.
Mononucleosis
Ravintsara will be effective in relieving the symptoms of mononucleosis, following the same procedure as for strengthening immunity, described above.
Anxiety, Stress
Ravintsara effective, but... it is better to use theessential oil of Petit Grain Bigarade against stress: by inhalation and skin application, 1 drop on the wrists to inhale deeply, 3 times a day (very rapid effect).
How to choose the right Ravintsara essential oil?
We rarely buy Ravintsara essential oil for the beauty of its fragrance, or for its cosmetic properties. We buy a ravintsara essential oil for its therapeutic properties. Consequently, you will need to choose a Ravintsara essential oil which provides you with solid guarantees:
- an organic essential oil of course : you are not going to treat yourself with pesticides;
- an essential oil whose chemotype you know: Cinnamomum Camphora, origin Madagascar, by distillation of the leaves;
- an essential oil of which you know the batch number, which allows you to access an online analysis bulletin.
Why check the analysis report for my Ravintsara essential oil?
- Above all, to verify that the brand selling the product has carried out analyses;
- To check that your essential oil will really have the properties mentioned above, via an adequate concentration of active ingredients: 1,8-cineole (51 to 60%), in sabinene (10 to 18%) and α-terpineol (5 à 11 %) ;
- To check that your essential oil is truly pure, that it has not been cut (which happens regularly in Madagascar), in particular by analyzing the density and refractive index of your Ravintsara essential oil.
Ravintsara or Ravensare?
Attention ! It is necessary to distinguish between Ravintsara essential oil and Ravensare essential oil. The latter is much less flexible to use, does not have the same properties at all and is prohibited for children! To get your bearings, check the Latin names carefully.
- Ravensara : Ravensare Aromatica or Ravensara Anisata
- Ravintsara : Cinnamomum camphora L.
How to recognize a good Ravintsara essential oil?
Botanical characteristics
- Latin Name: Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl
- Botanical family: Lauraceae
- Part used: leaves
- Country of origin: Indonesia, Madagascar.
Physical characteristics
- Density at 20°C: 0.900 to 0.920
- Refractive index at 20°C: 1,460 to 1,470
- Rotational power at 20°C: -25 to -15
- Flash point: 50
Organoleptic characteristics
- Appearance: clear mobile liquid
- Color: colorless to light yellow
- Odor: fresh, spicy, sweet, eucalyptolous, balsamic.
Biochemical characteristics
- 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol): 51 to 60%
- sabinene: 10 to 18%
- α-terpineol: 5 to 11%
A little history of Ravintsara, to relax
between maritime expeditions and Venetian merchants
If Marco Polo is extremely famous today, it is thanks to his numerous sea expeditions to discover new horizons and new peoples with whom he could trade. The thirst for discovery of this Italian merchant born in Venice in the 13th century took him to the other side of the world: to China. At the time, this little-known region of the world was the object of all desire, of the wildest dreams and the most picturesque images.
It is therefore in this part of Asia that Marco Polo discovered the essence of the Chinese Camphor tree. The Chinese have been using it for hundreds of years in their traditional medicine: lotions, ointments, balms... The great explorer brought it back to his family to give them the benefit of its incredible healing properties. We therefore think that the Ravintsara Camphor tree would be an acclimatized species of the Chinese Camphor tree…
The delights of the island of perfumes
Later, Etienne de Flacourt, a native of Orléan, was named Commander of Madagascar in the middle of the 17th century. He wrote several works on this wonderful “island of perfumes”, including Histoire de la Grande Isle Madagascar (1658) in which he describes Ravintsara and its most effective properties to counter all kinds of diseases and infections. Its essential oil was described only two centuries later.
At the very beginning of the marketing of Ravintsara essential oil, producers would simply pick the leaves from the trees they found: in the forests but also in the cities: parks, playgrounds in schools, large avenues , village squares etc… This overexploitation and the wild cutting carried out to improve yield as much as possible have damaged a large part of the Ravintsara trees. The lure of profit almost led to his disappearance. The catastrophe was avoided thanks to general awareness in the middle of the 20th century. The plantation projects are flourishing and the tree, growing quickly and well, has regained momentum.
We tell you about it in video
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Bibliography
Publication: Pragadheesh, V., Saroj, A., Yadav, A., Chanotiya, C., Alam, M., & Samad, A. (2013). Chemical characterization and antifungal activity of Cinnamomum camphora essential oil. Industrial Crops and Products, 49, 628–633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2013.
Publication: Singh, R., & Jawaid, T. (2012). Cinnamomum camphora (Kapur): Review. Pharmacognosy Journal, 4(28), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.5530/pj.2012.28.1
Publication: Andrianoelisoa, H., Menut, C., & Danthu, P. (2012). Ravensara aromatica or Ravintsara: a confusion that persists among essential oil distributors in Europe and North America. Phytotherapy, 10(3), 161–169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10298
Publication: MANSARD, M., LAURAIN-MATTAR, D. & COUIC-MARINIER, F. (2019). Ravintsara essential oil. https://www.betsara.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/HE-Ravintsara-Mansard-2019.pdf
Work : Falcon, M. (2017). Treatise on scientific and medical aromatherapy: Essential oils, foundations and prescription aids (3rd ed). Blood of the Earth.
Work : de la Charie, T. (2019). Treat yourself with essential oils. Why and how does it work? Editions du Rocher.
Work : Baudoux, D. (2008). Aromatherapy: treating yourself with essential oils. Amyris Editions.
Work : Couic Marinier, F., & Touboul, A. (2017). The Living Earth guide to essential oils. Terre Vivante Editions.
Work : Zahalka, J. (2017). Complete Aromatherapy Dictionary. Editions du Dauphin.
Work : Blondeau, S., & Baudoux, D. (2022). Fun molecules: When discovering the science of essential oils becomes a game. AMYRIS.
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About these tips
This aromatherapy article was written by Théophane de la Charie, author of the book “Treat yourself with essential oils”, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team made up of pharmacists, biochemists and agronomists.
La Compagnie des Sens and its teams do not encourage self-medication. The information and advice provided comes from a reference bibliographic database (books, scientific publications, etc.). They are given for information purposes, or to suggest avenues for reflection: they should in no case replace a diagnosis, consultation or medical follow-up, and cannot engage the liability of the Compagnie des Sens.