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 23/06/2023Probably 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.
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.
Ravintsara essential oil contains few allergenic biochemical components.
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).
Ravintsara essential oil is highly concentrated in 1.8 cineole, alpha-terpineol and monoterpene alcohols. These different molecules give it the following main properties:
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:
Efficiency: ++++
From 6 years old and for adults:
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).
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.
More details or other users: essential oils against the flu.
Efficiency: ++++
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).
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:
More details or other users: essential oils to boost immunity.
Efficiency: +++
From 3 years old & for adults. Dermal & inhalation, 2 drops of Ravintsara on the wrists and breathe deeply.
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.
Efficiency: +++
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.
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:
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.
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.
Efficiency: +++
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 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.
Efficiency: +++
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.
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:
Source: Millet, F. (2022). The great guide to essential oils. Marabout.
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.
Efficiency: +++
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.
For adults and adolescents. Place on a neutral support, take 3 times a day for 4 to 5 days:
Source: MANSARD, M., LAURAIN-MATTAR, D. & COUIC-MARINIER, F. (2019). Ravintsara essential oil.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ravintsara will be effective in relieving the symptoms of mononucleosis, following the same procedure as for strengthening immunity, described above.
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).
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:
Why check the analysis report for my Ravintsara essential oil?
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.
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…
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.
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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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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.