Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Katrafay (or Katafray)

4.8 - 153 reviews
Strengthening and toning, katafray essential oil is used in cases of fatigue or remission. Also known as soothing, katafray essential oil is traditionally used to contribute to joint health and help relieve pain.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Suitable

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Appropriate

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Appropriate

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Appropriate

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Not recommended

Features

Properties

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Bark

Botanical name

Cedrelopsis grevei

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Bibliographic references

Faucon M. (2012) Traité d'aromathérapie scientifique et médicale. Edition sang de la Terre.

Baudoux D. Les Cahiers Pratiques d'Aromathérapie selon l'école française -Dermatologie. Editions Amyris.

Telphon T. (2003) ABC des Huiles Essentielles. Editions Grancher.

Properties

Katrafay (or katafray) essential oil is traditionally used for: Back pain

Health

Wellness

Find out more

Properties

In health care, katrafay (or katafray) essential oil is recognised for the following properties:

  • Tonic and fortifying

  • Rich in sesquiterpenes, known for their anti-inflammatory effects

  • Analgesic, helps fight pain

Uses

In addition to being used as a course of treatment, it is traditionally used in the following cases:

  • Fatigue and convalescence

  • Rheumatism, arthritis and joint pain

  • Skin inflammations: eczema

  • Pain, backache and headache

In practice

Convalescence: Mix with your oil blend. Massage the mixture locally along the spine.

Joint relief: Mix into your oil blend. Massage the mixture locally into the joints concerned.

Helps relieve headaches: By air diffusion, in synergy with other essential oils.

Precautions

  • Do not use in pregnant or breastfeeding women or in children under 6 years old.

  • No internal use.

  • Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

  • Always dilute before topical application.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Some natural compounds contained in this essential oil may present a risk of allergy for certain sensitive individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic preparation.

  • Old or oxidised essential oils should be avoided.

  • Store protected from light and air.

  • As a general rule, always perform an application test of your preparation in the crease of the elbow at least 48 hours before use.

  • For use as a cosmetic ingredient, please refer to the specific precautions.

Find out more

Katrafay, or Cedrelopsis grevei, is a plant endemic to Madagascar that belongs to the Lauraceae family. This plant grows mainly in the southern and south-western part of the island, a region of dry forests.

Katrafay is common in Malagasy medicine where it is seen as an important medication, but is also used in face masks by the women of the island.

It is sold in the form of balls of strips of bark on stalls in many towns in Madagascar. Used in masks or infusions, it is used by the Malagasy population to relieve fatigue, headaches and sore throats, and to help regenerate the womb after childbirth. Its essential oil is also traditionally used to help relieve rheumatism due to its composition rich in anti-inflammatory and analgesic sesquiterpenes.

Very effective against seasonal allergies and in case of an attack

N
N

I find it interesting against allergies combined with other essential oils.

E
Estelle

Effective for joint pain

P
P

Very effective.

D
D

Use for lower back pain or other conditions

D
Danielle

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier Oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

Atopic eczema (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

Solid form (cream)

  • Peppermint essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Blue tansy essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Katafray essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Helichrysum essential oil: 1 ml

  • Evening primrose oil: 5 ml

  • Argan oil: 5 ml

  • Calendula oil: 5 ml

  • Eucerin pH5 (or shea butter): add up to 100 g as required for product optimisation

Use: 2 to 3 topical applications a day until noticeable improvement.