Updated 16 January 2024
Botanical characteristics
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Laurales
- Family: Lauraceae
- Genus: Cinnamomum
- Part used: Leaves
- Country of origin: Indonesia, Madagascar
Precautions for use
Probably the most flexible of all the essential oils!
Anyone can use Ravintsara essential oil, except of course pregnant women under 3 months.
However, people with asthma and epilepsy should consult their doctor before using.
Other precautions
Warning:
- Always seek medical advice before using Ravintsara essential oil in people with asthma.
- Be sure to consult a doctor before using it in people with epilepsy due to the epileptogenic risk at high doses.
Contraindications:
- After several days of use, be aware of possible drug interactions.
- There is a risk of dependence with prolonged use.
Allergenic components:
Ravintsara essential oil contains few allergenic biochemicals:
- limonene (≤ 2%)
- linalool (≤ 0.5%)
- geraniol (≤ 0.5%)
Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).
Authorised users
How to use
Inhalation
Cutaneous
Risks of use
Non-irritating to skin
Not pure Dermocautic
Non-photosensitising
Non-hormonal
Non-irritating to the respiratory tract
Non-neurotoxicProperties
- Exceptional antiviral
- Immune stimulant
- Anti-catarrhal, expectorant
- Antibacterial, anti-infective
- Balances the nervous system
- Muscle relaxant
- Analgesic, antispasmodic
- Promotes lymphatic drainage
Indications
- Viral infections of all kinds: influenza, infectious mononucleosis, chickenpox, shingles, herpes, hepatitis and viral enteritis
- Severe immune deficiency (AIDS) in synergy with other EOs
- Bronchitis
- Nasopharyngitis
- Sinusitis
- Colds
- Cough
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Severe nervous and physical fatigue
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Muscular fatigue
- Joint pain
- Water retention
Directions for use/usual dosage
- Respiratory infections: a few drops rubbed on the upper chest and upper back in synergy with other essential oils (Eucalyptus radiata, Inula, Laurel).
- Insomnia, anxiety: 1 or 2 drops on the inside of the wrists, on the solar plexus and under the soles of the feet and/or in the bath, about ten drops diluted on a pillow to relax.
- Immune deficiency, physical and nervous fatigue: a few drops undiluted or diluted in a vegetable oil, rubbed along the spine.
- Viral infections of all kinds: 2 drops orally 3 times a day, may be combined with other essential oils.
- ENT infections, influenza, bronchitis: rectally, in suppositories, especially for babies and young children.
- Viral epidemics: air diffusion
Cosmetic
- Skin problems, acne, eczema, herpes labialis
- Cellulite, water retention, lymphatic drainage
Interior use
- Diffused to purify the atmosphere in the event of epidemics or viral diseases.
Find out more
- Ravintsara essential oil, extracted from the Madagascan camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), is rich in 1.8 cineole and mild.
- Other Asian camphor tree chemotypes produce Bois de Hô essential oil, which is rich in linalool. Still others produce an essential oil rich in camphor.
- Beware, there has long been confusion between the essential oils of 'Ravensara aromatica' and 'Ravintsare' due to a mistranslation of the Malagasy name, even by leading aromatherapists.
- Ravensara aromatica and Ravintsare do not have the same composition or the same properties.
- In many books you will find the name and description of "Ravensara aromatica" with the properties of Ravintsare... so be careful.