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RAVINTSARA ESSENTIAL OIL


RAVINTSARA ESSENTIAL OIL
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code: 11359

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Latin Binomial: Cinnamomum camphora
Plant Part: Leaves
Extraction: Steam Distilled
Growing Practice: Certified Organic
Country of Origin: Madagascar
Odor Type: CAMPHOROUS

Odor Characteristic: A sharp sweet piercing odor with camphor-like tones and a strong cineole tone. A middle note in perfumery.

Refractive Index: 1.460 - 1.470 @ 20°C
Specific Gravity: 0.900 - 0.920 @ 20°C
Appearance: light yellow clear liquid
BioChemicals: α-pinene (5.5%);β-pinene (3.2%); sabinene (14.1%); limonene (0.7%); 1,8-cineol (60.3%); canohre (absent); terpinen-4-ol (1.7%); α-humulene (0.7%); α-terpineol (6.4%); safrol (absent)

About the Plant

Robert Tisserand has pointed out that Ravintsara essential oil is from the same Cinnamomum camphora tree that produces Ho wood oil in the Far East. Ho Wood is a linalool chemotype, while the Madagascar tree produces a cineole chemotype.

Ravintsara essential oil should not be confused with Ravensara essential oil, which is derived from a completely different tree, Ravensara aromatica and has different characteristics. If you are looking for Ravensara oil, you can go to its page by clicking on the [related products] tab.

Ravintsara essential oil is distilled from the leaves of an evergreen species of Cinnamomum camphora of the Family Lauraceae that was introduced in the highlands of south Madagascar in the mid 19th Century. As the plant became adapted to the local climate, it has lost the ability to produce camphor, and none is found in this cineole chemotype (see MSGC data on Tab 1).

Known in SE Asia as the Camphor tree or camphor laurel, it is an evergreen tree that grows up to 100 feet tall. It has been introduced in many countries throughout the world, and is now considered a noxious plant in some areas including Australia and the Southeastern US.

Of the six common chemotypes (camphor, linalool, cineole, nerolidol, safrole, and borneol) Ravintsara from Madagascar is the cineole type, usually averaging between 40-50%. This current batch is actually 60.5% 1,8-cineol.

Ho wood essential oil from Southeast Asia is the linalool chemotype of Cinnamomum camphora. If you are interested in that, please select it from the [Related Products] tab.

History

Cinnamomum camphora is native to Taiwan and other countries of Southeast Asia, where it was cultivated for both timber and camphor, a white crystalline substance with medicinal, culinary, and incense uses.

The information provided on these pages is not a substitute for necessary medical care, nor intended as medical advice. Always keep aromatic extracts tightly closed and in a cool, dark place, out of reach of children. Never ingest aromatic extracts. Always dilute aromatic extracts when applying topically and avoid areas around eyes or mucous membranes. If redness or irritation occurs, stop using immediately and contact your health provider if necessary.