Benefits and Properties
of Ravensara Essential Oil

Botanical Name
Ravensara aromatics

Family
Lauraceae

Place of Origin
Madagascar

Plant Description
A tall forest tree native to Madagascar. The tree is heavily aromatic and the bark, leaves, and fruit have been used by the local people for flavorings and medicine for along time.

Essential Oil
The oil is slowly steam distilled from the leaves. It is a clear, pale yellow to almost clear oil in color with a smooth, earthy and very light licorice scent or some say a delicate rosemary scent.

Contains
Cineole, pinene, terpineol, terpene acetate, linalool, eugenol

Blends well with
Myrtle, Pine, Thyme, Lavender, Chamomile, Helichrysum, etc. It is very effective when used in a blend.

Safety
Non-toxic, gentle oil but do not use for pregnancy,

Approximate drops per use
Use about 3-5 drops in 1 ounce of carrier

Beneficial Effects – Physical
Antiviral, immunostimulant, expectorant, anti-infection, respiratory, antibacterial
Even though it does work against bacteria it is more consistent against viruses.

Specific Conditions – Physical
Colds, flu, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, viral hepatitis, herpes, muscle fatigue, burns, cuts, wounds, cystitis, cold sores, shingles

Beneficial Effects – Mental
Soothing, calming, stimulating

Specific Conditions – Mental
Insomnia, anxiety, being overtired, depressed, lethargic

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Ravensara is multi-action oil and since it is so gentle and mild smelling it can be used with the very young and the very old. It is an amazing antiviral oil and also somewhat antibacterial. An extremely powerful oil that supports the immune system and helps to eradicate viral infections.

It has been effective used to help bronchitis, cholera, hepatitis, herpes, mononucleosis and other similar infections.

It is immune enhancing and supportive of the adrenal glands.

It is very helpful for sinus infections and flu and flu-like virus infections, especially if used at the first sign. If you feel like you are getting flu like symptoms put a few drops in a bath and soak for awhile, then use some in some massage oil and inhale or diffuser also (or put in vaporizer if you can use oils in yours) then go to bed and get some rest. It can really help the symptoms from getting worse when caught early.

Ravensara is a good expectorant and when blended with myrtle or other good expectorant oils it works even better. Use for all kinds of respiratory tract infections like sinusitis and catarrh and even earache when started from nasal catarrh and anytime the infection affect the chest like bronchitis and whooping cough.

Because of its strong antiviral action and the gentleness of the oil on the skin it works great for cold sores, shingles and genital herpes. Shingles, a recurrent viral infection related to chickenpox is helped very well with this oil which is nice since it is hard to treat medically. Shingles is very painful and this oil helps to get rid of them, while eliminating the toxins produced by this illness and rebuilding the immune system. You can mix it with a carrier oil and dab on the skin or mix in a spray bottle with water or maybe a hydrosol and mist over the skin. Add some lavender or chamomile to help the pain.

For genital herpes mix in a base of St. Johns Wort oil and add some helichrysum.

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Go to the Carrier Oils page to learn more about what oils to use with your essential oil.

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