Ravensara and Ravintsara - the differences
I am going to attempt to explain the differences between these two oils, as there is so much confusion over them.  Ravintsara essential oil should never be confused with ravensara essential oil and substituting one oil for the other is never an option, as their therapeutic properties are very different from each other.  

Let's start with a little botany!  Plant naming and the use of botanical Latin can be daunting to beginner and experienced aromatherapists alike.  Nonetheless, the science of classifying living things (taxonomy) is essential to our understanding of the natural world.  Without the botanical Latin name, how  can you be entirely sure of which essential oils you are buying and more importantly,  using in your practice.  

I'll state again, as I do very often! that it is of paramount importance for us to know the botanical names of the oils we are using in our practices.  Do not consider buying a essential oil without researching first exactly which one you want and why you want it.  You need to keep in mind all the different chemo types too.  Do not go shopping for essential oils until you have done your homework.  

The first difference is the botanical name: 
Ravensara (Ravensara aromaticais distilled from the leaves and branches of a tree by the same name - indigenous to Madagascar.

Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora) is distilled from the leaves of the camphor tree, which originated in Japan and China.  

Ravintsara is not therefore  indigenous to Madagascar but was introduced from China in the early 1800s.  It's a species* of Cinnamonum camphora which lost its ability to produce any camphor under the Madagascan climate. 

For many years, oils from both Ravensara aromatica and Cinnamomum camphora were distilled and traded on the market as Ravensara with a reference to either botanical name. It is only a few years ago that research into the chemical makeup of these oils has finally given them their distinctive individual botanical identity.

So whilst Cinnamonum camphora is now grown in Madagascar, it is very different to the Cinnamonum camphora grown in China  - because of the different climate and therefore producing a chemo type. 

The next difference is the main chemical compounds of the oils: 
Ravensara is generally high in monoterpenes, such as limonene and sabinene, giving this oil antibacterial and immune supportive properties. Its aroma is fresh, earthy and green. 

Ravintsara on the other hand,  is known for being very high in 1,8 cineol, making it supportive for respiratory issues and as a decongestant. Its aroma is vibrant, clean and very similar to Eucalyptus. 

So!  If you see a bottle of essential oil labeled Ravensara, and it advertises a high chemical composition of 1,8 cineol (say 50%-60%) then this essential oil will most certainly be Ravintsara, not Ravensara (as Ravensara is high in monoterpenes, not 1,8 cineol).  

Now I'm going to make it more confusing!  
Ho Wood Essential Oil, Cinnamomum camphora ct linalool, is steam distilled from the bark and wood (and sometimes the leaves are simultaneously distilled) from the same tree that brings us Ravintsara.  Ravintsara Essential Oil is distilled from the leaves of Cinnamomum camphora and is sometimes known as Ho Leaf Oil. 

Surely the easiest thing to do, to stop all this confusion,  is that oils from the Cinnamomum camphora tree we always call Ho Leaf, or Ho Bark essential oil and the oil from Ravensara aromatica tree we call Ravensara  - forget the name Ravintsara totally!  to save confusion - when you see Ravintsara, think Ho Leaf!  

So!!!  When you are buying Ho Leaf (which will no doubt have Ravintsara on the label!), the label should read: 

Ravintsara - 100% Pure Essential Oil. Cinnamomum camphora (c.t. 1,8 cineol) **

Calling Ho Leaf oil 'Ravintsara' is just confusing for everyone.  

*Species  - species are groups of interbreeding populations, which are reproductively isolated from other species. 
** 1,8 cineol is also known as also known as 'eucalyptol'

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Suzie Webb - Wellness

 
Welcome to Suzie Webb Wellness. 
Hi, I'm Suzie Webb and I've been in the holistic and well being industry for over 36 years - I'm 70 years young! I love learning - I have an unquenchable thirst for learning, and I also love reading, drinking tea, cats, walking, making my own products, and going to the cinema - you can't beat the big screen. 

At the end of this story you can read how I started my FAB community - Freedom after Bereavement.  

For years I struggled with my weight, my skin and joint pain (from running half marathons!).

I remember feeling embarrassed throughout much of my professional career as a nutrition consultant and clinical aromatherapist at being overweight with poor skin - I felt a fraud! Especially if I was hobbling on and off a stage because of aching knees!  I looked and felt 70 when I was only 40! 

All those years learning how the body worked and eating a balanced diet and learning the importance of hydration, exercise and relaxation - my weight would not go down and my skin would not improve and my joints still ached  - I tried every new diet that came out and every new cream on the market but none worked for me.  Or if they did it was short term: I'd lose the weight but it would return, my skin improved but only for a while. I was reluctant to take pharmaceuticals for my aches and pains connecting to my running but couldn't find a natural solution that worked for me.  

I wasn't happy with how I looked and dreaded the public speaking appearances which was part of my job so I went into writing and had books published on diet and nutrition and make-up instead - working from home where no one could see me!  

One day a friend introduced me to a totally new lifestyle concept I'd never considered before.  I was sceptical at first as but I trusted my friend and said I would give it a go.  My new lifestyle made me feel amazing.  I thought it was coincidence at first - but I had more focus on my work, more energy, my skin was the best it had been for years, my weight stabilised and I was pain free.    I was over the moon and brimming with confidence!  At last!  That was 14 years ago when I was 57.  I'm 71 now and the best shape I've ever been.  

So now I’m on a mission to empower women – with the knowledge I’ve worked so hard to get myself.

I am not the only person to have lost someone we loved.  I was angry when my dad died. Not angry because he'd passed, but angry at people telling me how I should be feeling and telling where I should be on the 7 stages of grieving and telling me it was time to 'move on'.    I was angry again when my nephew died in his twenties in a road traffic accident for the same reasons. I was less 'angry' when my husband died as my work involves emotional release, but my intense grief was indescribable.
 
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