Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Saro

4.9 - 154 reviews
A powerful purifying agent, saro essential oil, which means 'that which keeps disease at bay' in Malagasy, is highly reputed during a cold snap. As a tonic, saro essential oil is also traditionally used to stimulate the body's natural defences. These properties make saro essential oil a must-have in winter.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Suitable

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Suitable

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Suitable

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Appropriate

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Not recommended

Features

Properties

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Leaves

Botanical name

Cinnamosma fragrans

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

N.A.R.D ( ) Aroma News N°28. Editions Inspir.

Baudoux.D (2008) L’aromathérapie, se soigner avec les huiles essentielles, Edition Amyris

Baudoux.D () Guide pratique d’aromathérapie chez l’animal de compagnie, Edition J.O.M

Faucon.M (2012) Reaité d'aromathérapie scientifique et médicale, Edition Sang de La Terre

Properties

Saro essential oil is traditionally used for: Sore throat, bronchitis, flu, ear infections

Health

Beauty

Wellness

Find out more

Properties

Saro essential oil is recognised for its health properties:

  • Antiviral

  • Anticatarrhal, expectorant

  • Antibacterial

  • Immunomodulating, promotes good immunity.

  • Antifungal

  • Antiparasitic

Uses

As complementary treatment, traditionally used for:

  • Viral and bacterial infections of the respiratory tract: flu, colds, sinusitis, ear infections, bronchitis, sore throat

  • Urinary tract infections: cystitis, urtritis

  • Gynaecological infections

  • Oral infections: gingivitis, mouth ulcers, abscesses

  • Dermatological infections: fungal infections

Synergies

  • Purifying, cleansing action: essential oils of tea tree, Manuka, Litsea cubeba, Clove, Blue Mallee Eucalyptus, etc.

  • Clears congestion from the respiratory tract: essential oils of Sweet Inula, Rosemary verbenone, etc.

In practice

Strengthening and toning: Mix into your oil blend. Rub or massage your mixture into the affected areas.

Air freshener: for air diffusion, blended with other essential oils.

Precautions

  • Do not use in pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 6 years old, or people with epilepsy.

  • Contains hormone-like molecules; avoid without medical advice in case of hormone-dependent pathology.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

  • No oral use.

  • Always dilute for cutaneous application.

  • Some natural compounds in this essential oil may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals when incorporated into a cosmetic formulation.

  • Avoid using old or oxidized essential oils. Store away from light and air.

  • As a general rule, always perform a patch test by applying your preparation to the inside of your elbow at least 48 hours before use.

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

Find out more

Saro or Mandravasarotra was first discovered on the island of Madagascar. In Malagasy, the name of this plant means 'remedy against spells'.

Historically renowned for its antibacterial properties, it is traditionally used in Madagascan culture to combat most common infections. In Madagascar, it is used, for example, as a tonic before strenuous exercise and even as an anti-poison.

Excellent, I can't decide between ravintsara and saro

M
Maria

More than perfect

R
Roselyne

Effectiveness for internal use in case of a cold

C
Claude

I regularly use Saro essential oil, especially in the summer, because I caught a staph infection in the Antilles and as soon as it gets hot, I break out in pimples. Thanks to this oil, it stops.

G
Gisele

Essential, indispensable. Always have your own home medicine cabinet.

S
S

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

Flu, colds (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingENT problems

  • Cinnamosma fragans (saro) essential oil: 5 ml

  • Myrtus communis CT cineole essential oil (myrtle): 2 ml

  • Rosmarinus off. CT verbenone (rosemary verbenone) essential oil: 1 ml

  • Eucalyptus radiata (narrow-leaved eucalyptus) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Corylus avellana (hazelnut) carrier oil: 5 ml

Uses:

- children (over 6 years and on medical advice): 6 drops on the chest and back 5 times a day for 3 to 5 days.

- Adults: 15 drops on the chest and back 4 to 6 times a day for 3 to 5 days.

Colds and catarrh (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingENT problems

Preparation for inhalation:

  • Melaleuca quinquenervia CT cineole essential oil (Niaouli): 0.5 ml

  • Eucalyptus radiata essential oil (narrow-leaved eucalyptus): 0.5 ml

  • Cinnamosma fragrans essential oil (Saro): 0.5 ml

  • Mentha x piperita essential oil (Peppermint): 0.2 ml

  • Labrasol (for inhalation): additional 10 ml

Directions for use: 20 drops in a bowl of boiling water for inhalation for 10 minutes morning and evening, protecting the eyes.

Ear infections (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingENT problems

  • Saro essential oil: 30 drops

  • Roman chamomile essential oil: 10 drops

  • Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil: 10 drops

Directions for use: 2 to 3 drops as a periauricular ointment (around the ear) 4 times a day for 3 days.

Ear infections in adults (M. Faucon)

Health & wellbeingENT problems

  • Ravintsara essential oil: 2 drops

  • Niaouli essential oil: 2 drops

  • Saro essential oil: 2 drops

Use: Use the mixture in a small amount of sweet almond oil, massaging it into the ear.

Fungal infection of the nails (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • 2 drops bay laurel essential oil

  • 2 drops palmarosa essential oil

  • 1 drop True lavender essential oil

  • 2 drops mandravasarotra (saro) essential oil

  • 2 drops Chinese cinnamon essential oil

Directions for use: 2 to 3 drops of the mixture on the affected nail 3 times a day for 3 weeks or until a clear improvement is seen.

Aroma-Zone note: Chinese cinnamon essential oil has the same properties as Ceylon cinnamon bark essential oil and this can therefore be used as a substitute.

Deep fatigue or nervous breakdown in the nervous temperament (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingNerve pain and disorders

  • Cinnamosma fragans essential oil (Saro): 2 ml

  • Thymus vulgaris CT thujanol essential oil (Thyme vulgaris with thujanol): 1 ml

  • Aniba rosaeodora essential oil (Rosewood): 1 ml

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

  • Corylus avellana oil (Hazelnut): additional 30 ml

Use: 20 drops in a back massage on either side of the spine or 5 drops on the solar plexus or arch of the foot once or twice a day.