Ravintsara

Ravintsara is the essential oil distilled from the leaves of the camphor tree, Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl, as it grows in Madagascar [1][2]: a 1,8-cineole chemotype, near-free of camphor [3][4][18]. The name means 'good leaf' in Malagasy [11]. It is distinct from the endemic Ravensara aromatica, with which it has long been confused [4][7].

Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

Chemistry

Published analyses give 1,8-cineole 55–64%, sabinene 11–15%, α-terpineol 7–9%, α-pinene 3–6% and β-pinene 2.5–3.3% [3][4][5][6]. Camphor appears only as a trace, 0.01–0.03% in recent lots [18]. In one study, cineole rises from September to December [5].

Extraction

Fresh leaves are distilled with steam near the harvest site for two to three hours [5][28]. Average yield is 1.36–2.24%, up to 2.40% in December [5]; other sources report 0.7–1.2% [6][28]. Trees grow across the central Highlands, the East (Moramanga) and the south-central region [29].

In a fragrance

A top-note freshener: clear, cool and cineolic, with a low spicy note [4]. It gives a softer, rounder lift than eucalyptus, alongside herbs, citrus and woods.

Regulation

No IFRA Standard exists for the oil or for Cinnamomum camphora (51st Amendment) [19]. Constituent Standards apply: safrole, isosafrole and dihydrosafrole are prohibited as such, with a 0.01% total limit in the finished product from natural sources [19]; lots measured 0.01–0.02% safrole [16][17]. Methyl eugenol is restricted by category [19] and was not detected in one lot [16]. Under Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, these constituents of the oil are listed allergens, to be named in the ingredient list above 0.001% (leave-on) or 0.01% (rinse-off) in the finished product: terpineol (entry 343), pinene (371), alpha-terpinene (131), limonene (88), terpinolene (133), beta-caryophyllene (332) and linalool (84) [34][35]. Camphor is listed too (entry 331) [34][37]. 1,8-cineole, sabinene and terpinen-4-ol are not listed [34].

—

Related: Eucalyptol (1,8-Cineole) · Ho Wood · Camphor · Ravensara · Eucalyptus · Alpha-Terpineol · Rosemary

Sources

1. IPNI API, Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl, ID 463336-1. https://www.ipni.org/api/1/search?q=Cinnamomum%20camphora
2. ISO 4720:2018 sample. https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/69688/e5a2ff360b5e4cb48244c01a384f8e35/ISO-4720-2018.pdf
3. Chalchat & Valade, J. Essent. Oil Res. 12(5) 2000, doi:10.1080/10412905.2000.9712153; AGRIS. https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/122535/records/65de3b0f0f3e94b9e5cc2cbc
4. Juliani, Behra et al., Perfumer & Flavorist 30 (Jan/Feb 2005) p.60-65. https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2016/05/pf.PF_30_01_060_06.pdf
5. Ranjohany, Rakotovao Ravahatra et al., IJPSAT 57(1), May 2026, pp.381-391. https://ijpsat.org/index.php/ijpsat/article/download/8057/5301
6. Mansard & Laurain-Mattar, Actualités pharmaceutiques 585 (2019) 57, doi:10.1016/j.actpha.2019.02.012, copy. https://www.betsara.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/HE-Ravintsara-Mansard-2019.pdf
7. Andrianoelisoa, Menut, Danthu, Phytothérapie 10(3) 2012, 161-169, doi:10.1007/s10298-012-0703-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10298-012-0703-4
8. Juliani/Behra et al., ACS Symp. Ser. 1021 (2009) ch.22, doi:10.1021/bk-2009-1021.ch022. https://doi.org/10.1021/bk-2009-1021.ch022
9. Perrier de la Bâthie, JATBA 1931. https://www.persee.fr/doc/jatba_0370-3681_1931_num_11_121_5026
10. The Making of a Medicinal Plant: Ravintsara..., doi:10.4000/16hu9. https://doi.org/10.4000/16hu9
11. Tenymalagasy dictionary. https://tenymalagasy.org/bins/teny1/ravintsara
12. Florihana TDS FLE073. https://www.florihana.com/us/module/axproductattachments/export?file=FLE073FT.pdf&reference=FLE073&type=Fiche+technique
13. Maitreya Natura data sheet. https://www.maitreya-natura.com/images/pdf/Data_sheet_Ravintsara-uUzAp.pdf
14. Ellemental TDS M-1697 (10.2024). https://www.ellementalpro.com/download/M-1697_TDS_S.pdf
15. Exaflor TDS HE Ravintsara bio v1.4 (08/06/2021). https://primessence.fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HE-RAVINTSARA-BIOLOGIQUE-92201-50-8-FT-V1.4.pdf
16. NHR Organic Oils CoA lot 281119-4 (analysed 27/05/2019). https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/certs/Ravintsara%20CofA%20GC%20281119-4.pdf
17. Florihana chromatography lot R160320MG (16/03/2020). https://www.florihana.com/us/module/axproductattachments/export?file=FLE073R160320MG.pdf&reference=FLE073&type=Chromatographies
18. PhytoChemia for Plant Therapy, lot RG0109R (2025-09-09). https://www.planttherapy.com/cdn/shop/files/Ravintsara_-_RG0109R.pdf
19. IFRA Standards, 51st Amendment complete (Jan 2024). https://d3t14p1xronwr0.cloudfront.net/docs/Standards-Documentation/ifra-standards-51st-amendment.pdf
20. Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, OJ L 188, 27/07/2023. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ%3AJOL_2023_188_R_0001
21. CosIng ref 83340, 'Cinnamomum Camphora Leaf Oil': volatile oil obtained from the leaves of Cinnamomum camphora; CAS 92201-50-8, EC 295-980-1; function fragrance; no restriction. European Commission, consulted 22/10/2026. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/details/83340
22. ECHA infocard camphor oil, EC 616-922-7, CAS 8008-51-3. https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.122.267
23. Nature In Bottle, PEO1135. https://www.natureinbottle.com/product/ravintsara_ho_leaf_oil
24. Alibaba, MG SAKAY. https://www.alibaba.fr/product-detail/For-SAKAY-FOB-Madagascar-Port-Fast_1601696576525.html
25. Espaceagro listing ref 121275. https://www.espaceagro.com/huiles/huile-essentielles-de-ravintsa_i121275.html
26. Betsara producer page. https://www.betsara.com/filiere-ravintsara-madagascar-feuille-bouteille/
27. Randevoson memoir (Pharmacopée malgache). https://www.betsara.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pharmacopee-Malagasy-Monographie-Ravintsara.pdf
28. Clicours excerpt of a Malagasy DEA memoir on ravintsara (citing Rasendramiadana 2009, Randevoson 2004). https://www.clicours.com/le-ravintsara-cinnamomum-camphora
29. Cavalli, thesis defence slides, Univ. Corse. https://theses.hal.science/tel-00007939/file/tel-00007939.pdf
30. Jacarandas International. https://jacarandas-international.com/en/ravintsara-essential-oil-from-madagascar/
31. Adams C., Culture, Agriculture, Food and Environment 2025, doi:10.1111/cuag.70010. https://doi.org/10.1111/cuag.70010
32. Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, Annex, EUR-Lex (CELEX 32023R1545), consulted 22/10/2026. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32023R1545
33. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, original text, Annex III entry 84, consulted 22/10/2026. https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2016-11/cosmetic_1223_2009_regulation_en_0.pdf
34. PubChem compound records (CIDs 2758, 18818, 17100, 6654, 14896, 11230, 2537, 5144), consulted 22/10/2026. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/2758
35. CosIng ref 100404, Camphor: Annex III/331, labelling above 0.001% (leave-on) / 0.01% (rinse-off). European Commission, consulted 22/10/2026. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/details/100404