Ravintsara - Cinnamomum camphora

Breathe deeply -- in through the nose, out through the mouth!  

​What?  You can't?  Congestion?

I've got an oil for that!!!! 

When I think of Ravintsara, the first thing that comes to mind is breathing clearly - free of congestion.  On a personal level, I find this oil to be as effective as Eucalyptus globulus, and it's no wonder since it's more than 50% 1,8-Cineole.   Ah, but Ravintsara goes beyond Eucalyptus in its therapeutic properties.  Let's explore this amazing oil.

Ravintsara is a middle note oil that smells like spicy medicine.  Therapeutically, it's analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-microbial, antispasmodic, antiviral, decongestant, expectorant, immunostimulant, nervine, a skin penetration enhancer, and vulnerary.  

My primary use for Ravintsara is in diffuser, shower, and steam blends.  In addition to easing respiratory congestion due to allergies or illness, it can actually help balance your immune system to reduce allergic tendencies - an important property for those who suffer from allergies. It does this without causing drowsiness.  When I use it in nighttime diffuser blends, I make sure to combine it with oils that are sedative in nature.  As an antimicrobial, Ravintsara can be used in homemade cleaning blends and room sprays.  It'll knock out germs on surfaces and in the air.  

Ravintsara is an oil that I (personally) would rarely include in a topical blend because of the high oxide content.  While it would help other oils penetrate more deeply into the skin, it has too much potential to irritate the skin or, if overused, to damage skin cells.   If I were to include Ravintsara in a topical blend, it would be low dilution and for short term (a few days only).  For example, if someone had congested, boggy lungs, I might have him/her use Ravintsara in a chest salve which would include skin-healing carrier and essential oils.  

Before we get into the safety aspects, the first thing you need to do is verify exactly what oil you have or are about to purchase.  Ravintsara - with a -t- in the middle is not the same as Ravensara.  Both Ravensara and Ravintsara come from Madagascar, and of the two, Ravintsara's chemical composition makes it a safer oil to use.  According to Robert Tisserand, there are two locations that produce Ravintsara: China and Madagascar -- except, the oil from China is usually called Ho Leaf and the one from Madagascar is called Ravintsara.     Given these facts, you can see why there might be some confusion.  

Cautions for Ravintsara include:
* Do not use this oil on or near the faces of children under the age of 10.  The 1,8-Cineole may slow their breathing and/or central nervous system.
*  If oxidized, Ravintsara may irritate the skin.
* If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using (or inhaling) any essential oil.  
* Always check with your doctor before using any essential oil.
* For inhalation and topical use only.
* Robert Tisserand recommends a maximum of 11% dilution for topical use for Ravintsara (Ho Leaf) from China, but states no restrictions are needed for Ravintsara from Madagascar.

If you were to ask me 'What are 10 EOs I should always have in stock?', my answer would include Ravintsara.  As allergy season approaches, this is one oil you might want to try.

Resources:
1.  Lawless, Julia, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Conari Press, San Francisco, CA, © 2001, pages 169 - 170
2.  Tisserand, R. Y. (2014). Essential Oil Safety Second Edition. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, ©2014, pages 303 - 304
3.  Aromatics International          https://www.aromatics.com/
4.  Aromahead Institute, School of Essential Oil Studies, www.aromahead.com
5.  Butje, Andrea,  Component Database in Aromahead Institute,  © 2019 Aromahead LLC, Accessed March 14, 2020




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