Ravensara essential oil has a soft eucalyptus aroma which is slightly medicinal, sweet and fruity. It also has a very slight herbaceous scent similar to Rosemary. It is known to boost the body’s immune system and to assist with post viral recovery, as it has strong antiviral and antifungal qualities. This oil is useful, diluted with a base, to cleanse wounds and cuts due to the antiseptic and antibacterial properties it possesses. Used in an inhalant is can be used to promote easy breathing for all the family.
- Latin Name
- Ravensara Aromatica
- Family
- Lauraceae
- Note
- Top to Middle
- Extraction
- Essential oil by steam distillation of its leaves.
- Constituents
- Pinene, caryophyllene, germacreme, limonene, linalool, methyl chavicol, methyl eugenol, sabinene, terpineol among others.
- Origin
- Madagascar
This plant mainly grows at low altitudes in wet tropical/subtropical coastal rainforests where it is protected from the elements. It is bush like with broad, glossy leaves and has glossy berries.
History
All parts of the tree are strongly aromatic and the native people of Madagascar have used the bark, leaves and fruit as flavourings and medicine since time immemorial. In the 18th century the French scientist, Baume, distilled an oil from the bark, but Ravensara has only really come into use in aromatherapy since the 1980’s.
