Ravintsara EO

Latin name :

Cinnamomum camphora (L-) J-Presl

Botanical profile :

Ravintsara is a tree belonging to the Lauraceae family and the Cinnamomum genus.

Geographic origin :

Mainly in Madagascar for this chemotype. It is however possible to find this tree in eastern Asia: Taiwan, China, Japan

Chemotypes :

The Cinnamomum genus includes more than 250 species from all over Asia. It includes all varieties of cinnamon, of which Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Ceylon Cinnamon EO) and Cinnamomum cassia (China Cinnamon EO) are the most commonly used in perfumery, for their bark and for their leaves (Cinnamon Leaf EO). There is also the Cinnamomum korintje (Korintje cassia EO).

This variety is very special because it can produce drastically differents essential oils depending on its chemotype. There are in total 5 different chemotypes, 3 of them are used in perfumery:
Cinnamomum camphora CT Linalol: Hô wood EO - This chemotype contains more than 80% linalool. The natural Linalol is mainly extracted from it.
Cinnamomum camphora CT Cineol: Ravintsara EO - This is the chemotype we are studying here.
Cinnamomum camphora CT Camphor: Camphor tree EO - This chemotype contains between 50% and 70% Camphor.

Extraction process :

Ravintsara oil is extracted by hydrodistillation of the leaves and twigs. This takes place in winter, from december to february, and in the place where the tree is grown.
The extraction yield is around 1%.

Major Components :

Eucalyptol (55 - 65%)
Sabinene (10 - 20%)
Alpha-Terpineol (6,6 - 9,5%)
Alpha-Pinene (4,5 - 5,5%)
Terpinen-4-ol (1,7 - 3,5 %)
Beta-Pinene (2 - 3%)
Myrcene (1 - 2%)
Linalool (< 1,5%)