Essential oil - Organic Ravintsara

Ravintsara essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of the camphor tree, also known as Cinnamomum camphora.
A medium-sized tree, the camphor tree can reach up to 25 meters in height and belongs to the laurel family. Its wood is also used to produce another essential oil: Ho wood essential oil.
Camphor tree leaves resemble those of eucalyptus: about 10 cm long, oval in shape, they release their powerful camphor scent when crushed.

Cultivation & Origin

Originally from Asia, more precisely China, Japan and Taiwan, the camphor tree grows mainly in tropical areas of the world, particularly on the island of Madagascar.
In China, the camphor tree is valued for its small dark red berries, renowned in Chinese medicine for extending life expectancy.
Its wood is used to produce Ho wood essential oil, but also goes into the composition of many insecticidal products, particularly to combat moths. Traditionally, camphor wood was long used as a raw material for making chests, which were once used to transport furs.
Today, the camphor tree's evergreen foliage makes it a widespread ornamental tree in warm countries.
Ravintsara essential oil is frequently confused with ravensara essential oil. Extracted from the ravensara leaf, the essential oil of the same name (also known as ravensara aromatica) has a slightly aniseed and peppery scent, not camphorated like ravintsara essential oil. Although similar, these two essential oils do not have the same composition, and therefore have different properties!

Health Properties

Helps relieve respiratory problems :

• Close to radiata eucalyptus essential oil, ravintsara essential oil shares some of its properties. An essential aromatherapy oil, especially during winter, it is a formidable essential oil for helping to relieve respiratory problems. It is therefore particularly recommended in cases of colds, sinusitis, ear infections or bronchitis to help restore respiratory comfort and well-being, thanks to its rich eucalyptol (1,8 cineole) composition and its anti-catarrhal action.

Helps fight viruses :

• Ravintsara essential oil, rich in eucalyptol and monoterpenes, also helps combat the proliferation of viruses and bacteria, particularly respiratory ones.
  A 2007 study* in a hospital setting showed encouraging results for this use.
  It is generally recommended to use ravintsara essential oil as a preventive measure, or at the first signs of infection to support the body, several times a day to effectively benefit from its anti-infectious and antibacterial action.

Promotes physical and mental recovery :

• Used in diffusion or massage diluted in a vegetable oil, ravintsara essential oil with neurotonic and energizing properties also helps facilitate recovery, particularly after an infection or exposure to a virus. Its slightly energizing and positive fragrance helps rebalance mood and encourages action.

Helps purify the air :

• Like eucalyptus or Scots pine essential oil, ravintsara essential oil can also be used to purify the air, especially in autumn and winter. Its pleasant smell makes it a widely used essential oil for diffusion to bring freshness and to naturally purify the ambient air. It also eliminates bad odors, in combination with lemon essential oil for example.

Cosmetic Properties

Helps soothe muscle and joint tension:

• The anti-inflammatory activity of eucalyptol contained in ravintsara essential oil also allows it to help relieve discomfort in case of muscle or joint tension. It also helps facilitate the penetration of other active ingredients when used in massage gel recipes, for example. It is therefore recommended for athletes, or to help regain daily well-being.

Fights cellulite and promotes body drainage :

• Incorporated into slimming creams or circulatory gels in combination with other essential oils, ravintsara essential oil helps fight the appearance of orange peel skin. It naturally stimulates body drainage and facilitates the elimination of toxins accumulated in the body, and helps restore a feeling of light legs in case of discomfort.

Naturally eliminates skin problems :

• Used alone diluted in a vegetable oil or in combination with tea tree essential oil, for example, organic ravintsara essential oil can be a valuable aid in helping to restore comfort in cases of acne, eczema, cold sores or shingles. Its anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory properties allow it to fight bacteria and limit redness.

Usage Tips

Ravintsara essential oil is generally very well tolerated and has a pleasant scent, making it an easy essential oil to incorporate into all types of recipes. It is mainly used in diffusion, inhalation, and olfaction to help fight viruses, and in cutaneous application in the form of a bath, compress, or massage to enjoy its benefits on the skin.

Organic ravintsara essential oil can be used in synergy with niaouli, tea tree or palmarosa essential oils to enhance its antibacterial and antiviral properties. To purify ambient air, it pairs very well with Scots pine or black spruce essential oils! Finally, in diffusion or inhalation, it is combined with radiata eucalyptus essential oil to increase respiratory comfort and well-being.