Ravensara EO
While Ravensara oil is produced from the leaves, the seeds of the same tree are known as Madagascan nutmeg. This type of nutmeg is used medicinally in some areas and widely in cooking. Although the tree is native to Madagascar, the oil is also produced in Australia.
This oil possesses antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulant properties. Its main constituents include a-pinene, b-caryophyllene, a-terpineol, b-pinene, limonene, and p-caryophyllene.
Ravensara is used more in clinical aromatherapy by trained aromatherapists than in home settings. It can cause skin irritation, and should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Oils that Ravensara blend well with are black pepper, cedarwood, cinnamon leaf, eucalyptus peppermint or radiata, geranium, hyssop decumbens, lemongrass, ravintsara, tangerine and thyme linalool.
Ravensara vs. Ravintsara
These two oils sound the same and come from the Lauraceae family, but they hold unique characteristics. Contrary to some misinformation that is going around, they are not the same and cannot be used interchangeably.
Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica)and Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora ct. cineole)oil are both steam distilled from the leaves of their respective trees, creating a slightly yellow or colorless oil.
As opposed to Ravensara’s spicy, woody scent, Ravintsara is quite herbaceous.
Both oils possess antibacterial, anti-infectious, antiseptic, antiviral, and expectorant qualities, as well as being immunostimulant.
Ravensara is also an antiseptic stimulant, whereas Ravintsara is anthelmintic, anticatarrhal, antifungal, and mucolytic.
Both oils fight fatigue and can be used for respiratory conditions, bronchitis, and sinusitis. Ravensara is good for muscular pain, and Ravintsara is beneficial for congestion and excess mucus.[1]
Ravintsara has a high 1,8 cineole (eucalyptol) content, much higher than Ravensara but not quite as high of Eucalyptus. For this reason, it has been called the "kinder Eucalyptus."
A study determined that eucalyptol shows promise in reducing steroid dependency in those with steroid-dependent asthma. [2] However, more must be learned and care should be taken using Ravintsara around asthmatics.