Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Ravintsara

Ravintsara essential oil, or "good leaf" in Malagasy, has many traditional uses. A major aromatherapy oil, ravintsara essential oil is widely used to treat winter infections. Calming ravintsara essential oil is a top choice for helping people to sleep. Relaxing ravintsara essential oil also helps to combat nervousness. A real must-have!

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Suitable

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Possible but not recommended

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Suitable

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Suitable

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Appropriate

Features

Properties and uses

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Leaves

Botanical name

Cinnamomum camphora sb 1,8-cineole

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.

Properties and uses

Ravintsara essential oil is traditionally used for: Flu, stress

Health

Wellness

Find out more

Ravintsara is a major essential oil in aromatherapy, targeting viral infections and which is especially effective on the respiratory tract: Colds, bronchitis, flu, sinusitis, coughs, etc. It is recommended for clearing congested airways and blocked noses, and is an essential oil in winter !

Properties

In health care, ravintsara essential oil is recognised for the following properties:

  • Powerfully antiviral, especially for the respiratory system Stimulates immunity

  • Stimulates the cardiorespiratory system, expectorant, mucolytic

  • Antibacterial

Uses

Ravintsara essential oil is traditionally used to improve the following conditions:

  • Flu, colds, bronchitis, nasopharyngitis, colds, sinusitis

  • Infectious mononucleosis

  • Shingles, herpes

  • Viral gastroenteritis

  • Reduced immunity, repeated infections

  • Atmospheric purification

Synergies

Respiratory comfort: blend into your oil blend. Massage or rub your blend into the chest and upper back.

To ease breathing: Inhale dry (a few drops on a handkerchief, breathe in) or wet (a few drops in a bowl of hot water, breathe in the vapours).

Purifying for the skin: Mix into your oil blend. Massage or rub your mixture into the area concerned.

Air purification and breathing: Air diffusion in living areas.

In practice

  • Purifying and cleansing : Eucalyptus radiata, niaouli, clove, tea tree and thujanol thyme essential oils.

  • Helps breathing, clears congestion: Rosemary cineole, Eucalyptus radiata, Scots pine and sweet woodruff essential oils

Precautions

  • Not to be used during the first three months of pregnancy or by children under 6 years of age (except on medical advice).

  • Not recommended for asthmatics (especially when inhaled or diffused) .

  • Preferably for use on the skin or by diffusion/inhalation, the oral route is less appropriate for this essential oil.

  • Possible interactions with medication (due to its 1,8-cineole content, which has an inducing effect on certain enzymes), do not use orally without medical advice at the same time as taking medication.

  • Certain natural compounds contained in this essential oil may present a risk of allergy in some sensitive individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic composition (according to the 7th Amendment to the European Cosmetics Directive (2003/15/EC)): limonene, linalool.

  • As a general rule, always carry out a test application of your mixture in the crease of the elbow at least 48 hours before using it.

Find out more

Ravintsara is the essential oil extracted by distillation from the leaves of the Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) in Madagascar. Native to Asia, this tree of the Lauraceae family produces several very different essential oils, depending on the geographical origin and the part distilled. Certain Asian camphor trees (China, Japan) or "Japanese laurels", for example, have wood from is distilled the essential oil of ho wood, or camphorwood, renowned for its high linalool content (Cinnamomum camphora CT linalol),

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

Cold sores (Herpes labialis) in children (over 6 years and on medical advice) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingChildren's medical care

  • Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (tea tree) or Melaleuca quinquenervia essential oil (Niaouli): 2 ml

  • Mentha piperita essential oil (Peppermint): 1 ml

  • Thujanol Thymus vulgaris essential oil (can be replaced by Thujanol Marjoram essential oil): 2 ml

  • Cinnamomum camphora essential oil (Ravintsara): 2 ml

  • Lavandula latifolia spica essential oil (Spike lavender): 1 ml

  • Argan oil: 3 ml

  • Calendula oil: additional 15 ml

Use: Apply two drops of the mixture topically 8 times a day for 3 to 5 days.

Sinusitis (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingENT problems

  • Tea tree essential oil: 2 ml

  • Menthol eucalyptus essential oil: 2 ml

  • Ravintsara essential oil: 2 ml

  • Peppermint essential oil: 1 ml

Use: 2 drops of the mixture applied locally to the forehead 4 times a day for 3 days and 2 drops on 1/4 sugar 2 times a day.

.

Colds, nasal catarrh at the onset of symptoms or as a preventive treatment in children (over 6 years of age and on medical advice) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingChildren's medical care

  • Ravintsara essential oil: 3 ml

  • Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil: 2 ml

  • Rosewood essential oil: 1 ml

  • Hazelnut oil: 3 ml

  • Jojoba oil: additional 15 ml

Directions for use: Apply 8 drops of the mixture to the chest and upper back three times a day for 5 days.

Cold sore (oral herpes) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Ravintsara HE: 1 ml

  • Niaouli essential oil: 1 ml

  • Thujanol CT Thyme essential oil (can be replaced by Thujanol Marjoram essential oil): 1 ml

Use : 1 drop of the mixture 6 to 8 times a day applied topically for 48 hours or more.

Influenza in adults (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingENT problems

  • Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil: 2 drops

  • Bay Laurel essential oil: 1 drop

  • Niaouli essential oil: 1 drop

  • Ravintsara essential oil: 2 drops

Directions for use: apply 6 drops of the mixture on the chest and upper back 6 times a day for 2 to 3 days.

Insomnia, Anxiety and Stress in Adults (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingNerve pain and disorders

  • Ravintsara essential oil: 5 ml

  • True lavender essential oil: 2 ml

  • Bitter orange essential oil: 3 ml

Use : 8 to 10 drops along the spine or on the solar plexus in the evening.

Immune suppression (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingLow energy, fatigue

blend 1

  • Clove essential oil: 2 drops

  • Ravintsara essential oil: 5 drops

  • Tea tree essential oil: 3 drops

  • Frankincense essential oil: 1 drop

Use: 10 drops of blend 1 on the chest and 10 drops of blend 1 on the back 3 times a day for 3 weeks.

Distress (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingNerve pain and disorders

  • True Lavender essential oil: 1 ml

  • Ylang ylang essential oil: 1 ml

  • Ravintsara essential oil: 1 ml

  • Lemon Verbena essential oil: 1 ml

Use: 3 drops of the mixture locally on the solar plexus and/or on the inside of the wrists 3 times a day or 6 drops of the mixture along the spine 2 times a day. Repeat as required Note Aroma-Zone: Sweet Verbena essential oil is photosensitising. Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this preparation.

Insomnia in adults (P. Franchomme)

Health & wellbeingNerve pain and disorders

  • Mandarin essential oil 2.5 ml

  • Ravintsara essential oil 2.5 ml

  • Carrier oil: Up to 50 ml extra for product optimisation

Use: Apply in the evening to the solar plexus and the soles of the feet.

The common cold in adults (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingRespiratory problems

  • Niaouli essential oil 2 drops

  • Ravintsara essential oil 3 drops

  • Thyme Sateoid essential oil 2 drops

  • Peppermint essential oil 2 drops

  • essential oil Balsam Fir 1 drop

Use: Place 3 drops of the mixture on your handkerchief and inhale as required.

Cold sores (herpes labialis) in adults (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Ravintsara essential oil: 5 ml

  • Thujanol thyme essential oil: 2 ml

  • Tea tree essential oil: 3 ml

Use: Local application of 2 to 3 drops 6 to 8 times a day for 2 or 3 days.

Flu (D. Festy)

Health & wellbeingENT problems

  • Lemon essential oil

  • Ravintsara essential oil

  • Narrow-Leaved Eucalyptus essential oil

Use: Mix equal parts of these essential oils in a 10 ml bottle. Diffuse your 10 ml for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening. We strongly recommend that you also use this formula for prevention.

Multi-purpose ENT (children over 6 years and on medical advice) (D. Festy)

Health & wellbeingChildren's medical care

  • Eucalyptus radiata essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Ravintsara essential oil: 2 ml

  • Tea tree essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • True lavender essential oil: 2 ml

  • Tamanu carrier oil: Add up to 15 ml extra for product optimisation

Use: Apply a few drops of this formula to the chest and back for bronchitis, to the forehead and temples for colds or sinusitis, and around the ear for an ear infection. 3 to 5 times a day, until cured.

Laryngitis (M. Faucon)

Health & wellbeingENT problems

  • Marjoram essential oil: 20 drops

  • Ravintsara essential oil: 30 drops

  • Rosemary cineole essential oil: 10 drops

Preparation: Apply locally to the neck and nape of the neck 3 times a day.

Shingles (L. Bosson)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

Internal route:

  • Peppermint hydrosol 100 ml

  • Damask rose hydrosol 100 ml

Use: 1 tablespoon of the blend in 1 litre of warm water, to be drunk during the day for 40 days; repeat if necessary.

External route:

  • Ravintsara essential oil 40 drops

  • Peppermint essential oil 40 drops

  • Tamanu carrier oil 10 ml

Use: Apply a few drops of the blend to the area to be treated several times a day

.

Muscle Cramps (T. Telphon)

Health & wellbeingMuscles and joints

  • Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia): 2 ml

  • Ravintsara essential oil (Cinnamomum camphora): 2 ml

  • Green Aniseed essential oil (Pimpinella anisum): 2 ml

  • Sunflower oil: 30 ml

  • Olive oil: 30 ml

Use: gently massage the cramping muscle with this blend, morning and evening.

Mumps in children (aged over 6, after consulting a doctor and on medical advice) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingChildren's medical care

  • Ravintsara essential oil: 2 ml

  • Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil: 1 ml

  • Tea tree essential oil: 1 ml

  • Roman chamomile essential oil: 1 ml

  • St John's wort oil: 2 ml

  • Jojoba oil: additional 10 ml

Directions for use: Cutaneous applications: Apply 4 drops to the jaws and neck 3 times a day for 5 days.

Aroma-Zone Note: The macerated oil presents a risk of photosensitisation. Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this preparation.

Childhood illnesses: chickenpox, measles, scarlet fever (children aged over 6, after consulting a doctor and on medical advice) (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingChildren's medical care

  • Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) essential oil: 1 ml

  • Cistus ladaniferus CT pinene (gum rockrose) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Cinnamomum camphora (ravintsara) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Eucalyptus smithii (gully gum eucalyptus) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Hazelnut oil: additional 15 ml

Use: 6 drops on the chest and back 3 to 4 times a day for 1 week.

Shingles in adults (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Ravintsara Essential Oil 1 drop

  • Peppermint Essential Oil 1 drop

  • Exotic Basil Essential Oil 1 drop

  • Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil 1 drop

Use: 2 to 4 drops of the mixture on the pustules or painful area 8 times a day until symptoms disappear.

Psoriasis in adults (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • 1 drop rosewood essential oil

  • 1 drop ravintsara essential oil

  • 1 drop rose geranium CV Egypt essential oil

  • 1 drop myrrh essential oil

  • 3 drops calendula carrier oil

Directions for use: 4 to 8 drops of the mixture applied to the skin 2 to 3 times a day until a clear improvement is seen.

Bibliography

1

"Huiles essentielles - 2000 ans de découvertes aromathérapeutiques pour une médecine d'avenir"

Dominique Baudoux

2

'The Practice Of Aromatherapy'

by Dr Jean Valnet Éditions Maloine

3

'L'Aromathérapie exactement'

by P. Franchomme and Dr D. Pénoël

4

'La bible de l'aromathérapie'

Nerys Purchon

5

'L'ABC des huiles essentielles'

Dr Telphon

6

Aromatherapy

Nelly Grosjean

7

'Les huiles essentielles pour votre santé'

G. Roulier

8

'Les cahiers pratiques de l'aromathérapie française - Pédiatrie'

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris

9

Aroma-News newsletters

The NARD association

10

'Aromatherapy - Healing with essential oils'

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris