# Ravintsara essential oil > Ravintsara is a Madagascar-grown chemotype of the camphor tree, valued for a fresh, eucalyptus-like aroma in respiratory-season blends. Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/ravintsara Type: Single oil ## At a glance - **Botanical name:** Cinnamomum camphora - **Plant part:** Leaves - **Extraction:** Steam-distilled - **Aroma:** Fresh, eucalyptus-like - **Origin:** Madagascar - **Blends with:** Eucalyptus, peppermint, pine, lemon ## Composition (GC-MS research aggregate) Based on 16 GC-MS samples from 8 peer-reviewed papers (2019–2025); Moderate evidence base. 71 compounds reported in total. Typical share of the oil (median, with interquartile range): | Compound | Class | Median % | IQR % | Max % | Papers | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1,8-cineole | Oxygenated monoterpene | 22.07 | 0.3–39.1 | 53.49 | 7 | | linalool | Oxygenated monoterpene | 26.29 | 0.86–60.67 | 87.98 | 4 | | α-terpineol | Oxygenated monoterpene | 4.7 | 0.43–9.45 | 17.8 | 5 | | α-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 4.3 | 0.28–8.4 | 13.15 | 5 | | β-caryophyllene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 2.33 | 1.5–2.89 | 7.6 | 6 | | myrcene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.34 | 0.7–2.94 | 4.6 | 6 | | γ-terpinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.3 | 1.3–2.15 | 5.01 | 5 | | bicyclogermacrene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 2.1 | 1.15–2.12 | 2.15 | 3 | | β-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.15 | 1.12–3.51 | 3.7 | 5 | | α-humulene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 1 | 0.76–1.22 | 1.53 | 5 | | camphor | Oxygenated monoterpene | 1.42 | 1.05–3.36 | 5.3 | 3 | | limonene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 0.58 | 0.32–5.45 | 25 | 5 | Chemotypes seen in the samples: 1,8-cineole (31% of samples), geranial (19% of samples), linalool (19% of samples), borneol (13% of samples), nerolidol (6% of samples), methyl isoeugenol (6% of samples), selina-6-en-4-ol (6% of samples). ## Key constituents - **1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol)** (50-65%) — The dominant compound, giving ravintsara its fresh, camphoraceous aroma - **Sabinene** — Minor constituent adding a subtle spicy-woody nuance - **Alpha-terpineol** — Contributes a soft, slightly floral undertone ## How to use it - **In the diffuser:** Add to fall and winter rotations, often with lemon or peppermint for a bracing lift. - **In massage:** A common addition to massage blends, diluted 2–4% in a carrier oil. ## Safety - As with any camphor-family oil, avoid use directly under the nose of infants and young children, and dilute to 2–4% in a carrier oil for topical use. - Maximum dermal use: Dilute in a carrier oil for skin. - Cineole-rich: avoid applying near the face or nose of infants and young children. - Confirm you have the cineole chemotype (ravintsara), not the camphor-type of the same species, which needs more caution. - Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children. ## What the research says - Ravintsara is a 1,8-cineole-rich oil, chemistry it shares with eucalyptus, often used aromatically for a fresh, clearing effect. Specific therapeutic uses remain traditional and preliminary. — JEOR study (2004) (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2004.9698697) ## Evidence - Ravintsara (the cineole chemotype of Cinnamomum camphora) is dominated by 1,8-cineole — the same fresh, clearing constituent that defines eucalyptus. — JEOR study (2004) (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2004.9698697) ## Frequently asked questions ### Is ravintsara the same as ravensara? No — this is a common and important mix-up. Ravintsara is Cinnamomum camphora (cineole chemotype); ravensara is Ravensara aromatica, a different plant with different chemistry. Check the botanical name. ### Is ravintsara safe around children? It's cineole-rich, like eucalyptus, so avoid applying it near the faces or noses of infants and young children. Diffuse in a ventilated room and keep it out of their reach. ### Is ravintsara phototoxic? No — it isn't phototoxic. The main precaution is its cineole content around young children, not sun exposure. ## Sources (GC-MS studies) - Zhang T, Zheng Y, Fu C, Yang H, Liu X, Qiu F, Wang X, Wang Z. Chemical Variation and Environmental Influence on Essential Oil of Cinnamomum camphora. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9919661 - Ling Q, Zhang B, Wang Y, Xiao Z, Hou J, Xiao C, Liu Y, Jin Z. Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of the Essential Oils of Citral-Rich Chemotype Cinnamomum camphora and Cinnamomum bodinieri. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9656011 - Xiao S, Yu H, Guo Y, Cheng Y, Yao W. The Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of <i>Cinnamomum camphora</i> chvar. <i>Borneol</i> Essential Oil In Vitro. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12196741 - Hou J, Zhang J, Zhang B, Jin X, Zhang H, Jin Z. Transcriptional Analysis of Metabolic Pathways and Regulatory Mechanisms of Essential Oil Biosynthesis in the Leaves of Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl. _Frontiers in genetics_, 2020. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC7689033 - EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Fašmon Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Edoardo Villa R, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Westendorf J, Manini P, Pizzo F, Dusemund B. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl (camphor white oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). _EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8756382 - Bottoni M, Milani F, Mozzo M, Radice Kolloffel DA, Papini A, Fratini F, Maggi F, Santagostini L. Sub-Tissue Localization of Phytochemicals in Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl. Growing in Northern Italy. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2021. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8158694 - Xu Y, Qin J, Wang P, Li Q, Yu S, Zhang Y, Wang Y. Chemical composition and larvicidal activities of essential oil of Cinnamomum camphora (L.) leaf against Anopheles stephensi. _Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical_, 2020. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC7083351 - Wang W, Li D, Huang X, Yang H, Qiu Z, Zou L, Liang Q, Shi Y, Wu Y, Wu S, Yang C, Li Y. Study on Antibacterial and Quorum-Sensing Inhibition Activities of Cinnamomum camphora Leaf Essential Oil. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2019. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC6832878 _Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._