Wild Organic Ravintsara Essential Oil

Description

Ravintsara is the name given to the camphor tree in Madagascar, where it was most likely introduced in the XVII century. On this large, distinctive island, the camphor tree demonstrates and illustrates the concept of a “chemical race”, or chemotype, very well.

The camphor tree belongs to the Lauraceae family and occurs naturally in subtropical regions of Asia. Its adaptation to each region’s biotope is characterised by notable variation in the aromatic essence it produces.

At least 5 chemotypes are known: camphor, linalool, nerolidol, safrole and 1,8-cineole (or eucalyptol).
This tree is common in Taiwan and Japan. In these regions, camphor predominates in the essential oil’s composition.

The camphor tree also grows naturally in China, where it is called Ho wood and its essential oil contains an extremely high percentage of linalool and no camphor.

Ravintsara is characterised by the presence of 1,8-cineole, absent from other camphor trees. Only the camphor trees of Madagascar produce this molecule. This shows how a plant’s environment can have a very specific influence on an essential oil’s composition.

The word ravintsara comes from Malagasy and means “good leaf”. The tree is part of the traditional pharmacopoeia. Madagascar is one of the world’s poorest countries, and much of the population turns to medicinal plants to address health problems; healers there are recognised and highly respected. Ravintsara is considered a medicinal tree and is used to treat infectious respiratory diseases, malaria, fever, coughs and rheumatic pain.

Ravintsara essential oil has a refreshing aroma that clears the nose and opens the lungs, providing a pleasant feeling of being recharged.

Today, it is undoubtedly one of the most valued and widely used essential oils in winter for preventing infectious respiratory diseases or relieving their symptoms.

Appearance: Clear liquid, pale yellow to yellow-orange.

Solubility: Soluble in alcohol and oil. Insoluble in water.

Precautions

Ravintsara essential oil is not toxic when the dosage and methods of use are respected. However, people with asthma are advised to use it with caution and to avoid it during attacks.

Taxonomy

Botanical name: Cinnamomum camphora cineoliferum - Family: Lauraceae - Genus: Cinnamomum