Aromatic Ravensara: properties, essential oil and all the information on how to use the product for the preparation of natural remedies.
The essential oil Ravensara also known as oil aromatic ravensara is often confused with the essential oil Ravintsara. The essential oil of Ravensara Aromatic boasts outstanding properties antiseptic, antibacterial and soothing properties. It is perfect for the composition of ointments to be used for massages to relieve muscle and joint pain.
In aromatherapy, ravensara essential oil is considered a good ally to fight colds and flu, it is then popularly considered a natural stimulant of the nervous system, it is believed that it helps to combat physical and nervous fatigue.
The essential oil of Ravensara is extracted from the aromatic Ravensara, a plant belonging to the Lauraceae family, the same botanical family to which the fragrant Laurel belongs.
The aromatic Ravensara is native to Madagascar, the name ravensara is a Latinization of the Malagasy term ” Ravintsara “, which is why there is a lot of confusion between the two essential oils. The essential oil of aromatic Ravensara is extracted from the aromatic ravensara while the essential oil of Ravintsara is extracted from Cinnamomum Camphora also called Ravensara Canfora, an evergreen tree native to Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam).
The leaves and twigs of the aromatic Ravensara have a slightly camphor- like aroma, similar to that of eucalyptus. The essential oil of aromatic Ravensara is used as raw material in the fragrance industry and not only thanks to its properties antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, expectorant, anti-infective.. is much used as a natural remedy for various popular cultures.
The 1,8-cineole compound and the essential oil of Ravensara
The very popular 1,8-cineole compound is not present in the chemical composition of the aromatic Ravensara essential oil. This active ingredient is what made Ravintasara essential oil famous but whoever is looking for the properties expressed thanks to this compound should be more interested in Eucalyptus essential oil.
1,8-cineol is a colorless organic compound, a cyclic ether named iupac 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo but with the common name “Eucalyptol“. From the common name of this compound it is easy to understand the high concentration in the essence of eucalyptus. This compound was first identified in 1870, extracted from the essence of Eucalyptus globulus.
Eucalyptol, or 1,8-cineole is an ingredient used in various sectors: pharmaceutical, perfumery, agricultural, in the repellent and chemical insecticide industry … It is added to the formulation of mouthwashes, cough sedatives, creams for the body and anti-herpes creams.
The high qualities Eucalyptol has a certain toxicity, in rats, for internal use, causing infertility. The research has seen the use of 1,8-cineole in very high doses, very difficult to achieve with aromatherapy and classic do-it-yourself remedies. In rats, the toxic concentration mentioned in the safety data sheet amounts to 2.480 mg / kg.
In numerous studies, eucalyptol has been found to be effective in controlling the hyper secretion of mucus in the airways and in asthma, it has a soothing effect on headaches and inflammation. This is why it is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.
For clarity, it is good to reiterate that this compound is absent in the essential oil of Ravensara Aromatica but is contained in the essential oil of eucalyptus and in the essential oil of Ravintsara. The list of plants that contain this substance is very rich, first of all there is Cannabis, the evergreen Ciannamomum camphora, Eucalyptus globus, Horistes Eucalyptus, Laurus nobilis, Umbellularia californica, Salvaia lavandulifolia, Tea Tree or Malaleuca.
Where to buy Ravensara essential oil
The essential oil Ravensara is extracted by steam distillation of fresh leaves and twig. It appears as a clear, almost colorless (pale yellow) liquid that gives off a fresh, grassy and almost spicy smell. In aromatherapy we recommend its use combined with Tea Tree essential oil, Cinnamon essential oil, eucalyptus essence, Peppermint essential oil and Oregano essential oil.
It is not easy to find the essential oil of ravensara in the shops of natural products. It is not an essence as widespread as that of lavender, rosemary or cinnamon.
How to use ravensara oil
The ravensara oil should only be used for outdoor use, to perfume rooms or as an ointment for massage, in combination with other oils.
For the first use you can use in your aroma diffuser a quantity equal to 2 drops of oil for every square meter of your perfume to be scented. room.
For relaxing massages you can use 5 drops for each tablespoon of almond oil or avocado oil, to be used in combination with ravensara oil.
For soothing massages against muscle and joint pain, dilute it 20% in a vegetable oil such as avocado oil or sweet almond oil.
