"Ravintsara vs Ravensara: The Secrets Behind dōTERRA's Breathe Essential Oil Blend"

Welcome back to Harvesters’ Corner! I hope the new year is progressing well for you. My heart aches as I see the pain and destruction running rampant in the world. Perhaps today’s subject may help you to breath a bit easier, though. Soon after 2025 started, dōTERRA released a new video on YouTube. It was titled “9 Essential Oils You’ll Love in 2025 & How To Use Them.” This video excited me, and I was eager to see what oils were chosen and why. As I looked over the list of oils being discussed, most were oils that have been covered on the blog! Many of my favorite oils like Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Oregano, and Wild Orange made the list. Most of the other oils were blends of oils. There was one in particular that caught my eye, the respiratory blend Breathe, and this is the topic of today’s blog.

The Importance of Clear Breathing: How Essential Oils Can Help

Let’s face it, breathing is wonderful. As one who has activity-induced asthma, you don’t realize just how great breathing is. But when the airway tightens and you struggle to take a breath, you realize how much you take this simple, necessary process our bodies do without even thinking about it, for granted.

Case in point: here is a simple exercise to try. Grab a straw, any straw, and start breathing through it. Take nice, long, easy breaths. Now start doing a load of dishes, or a load of laundry while still breathing through the straw. No cheating! Find a set of stairs and climb up and down three or four times, still breathing through the straw. Are you struggling for breath yet? Welcome to my world.

This time of year brings the season where mild germs can run rampant through households. One sniffle is all it takes. Before long everyone is feeling stuffy and blowing noses in futile attempts to clear the sinuses and lungs to be able to—yep! You guessed it…breath.

I really enjoy how the components of this blend combine their purifying properties together to support the immune and respiratory systems. I’m diffusing it while at home, in the car, and striving to catch a whiff whenever the opportunity presents itself. What is in this oil that makes it so wonderful? Let’s take a look.

Breath Respiratory Blend is a combination of Laurel Leaf, Eucalyptus Leaf, Peppermint, Melaleuca Leaf, Lemon Peel, Cardamom, Ravintsara Leaf, and Ravensara Leaf. No, that isn’t a typo, and no, I did not repeat myself. The blend uses both Ravintsara Leaf and Ravensara Leaf. I was rather surprised to see how much confusion there is online where the two products are concerned.

Ravintsara vs Ravensara: Demystifying Two Key Ingredients 

Much of my research found sites where the two oils were being referenced as though the names were synonyms of the same product. Others indicated that their oil was sold under one name, due to the similarity of the oils. And then there were the sites which listed chemical components of one oil when describing the other.

Let me be clear here: the only similarities of these two oils is the closeness of their names, and that they come from the island of Madagascar. They are two distinct plants, from two different species. One is native to Madagascar, while the other was imported to the island. And one of the two, if used in large doses, has the potential to be carcinogenic. That being said, let’s focus in and take a look at each oil.

Ravintsara, a Camphor Tree

Ravintsara

Ravintsara, more appropriately Cinnamomum camphora, is a member of the laurel family. Like other members of the laurel family, Ravintsara possesses a high level of eucalyptol, a monoterpene molecule with a strong camphor-like aroma. The laurel tree, the eucalyptus tree, and rosemary are also members of the laurel family with high levels of eucalyptol. Take a close look at the Latin name—Cinnamomum camphor. The first part of the name comes from the Greek word “kinnamon” or “kinnamomom,” meaning sweet wood. There are over 250 individual species in the Cinnamomum family. Among the most popular are C. zeylanicum (cinnamon), C. cassia (cassia), and C. camphora (Ravintsara).

That’s right. Ravintsara is a cousin of cinnamon and cassia! Therefore, it should not come a surprise that the native habitat for this camphor tree is throughout China and east Asia. Due to the wide range of this tree, a unique chemical analysis on testing has appeared for this tree based on where it is grown. It is also known by different names based on its chemical composition. In Japan, it is known as the Camphor tree. One of the oldest living camphor trees in the world is in Japan. It is believed to be at least 1,500 years old. This special tree is found at the Kamo-Hachiman Shrine in Aira, Kagoshima. Estimates place this tree at about 100 feet (30 meters) tall, with a trunk circumference of close to eighty feet (24 meters). Historical records indicate that the tree was already quite sizeable when the shrine was built in 1123! (1)

For trees grown in China, its ancient habitat, the tree is known as Hō Wood. This tree has a very different chemical make up from the Japanese Camphor tree, a result of the soil it is grown in. Oil from the Hō Wood tree, or Chinese Laurel, as some call it, is distilled from the bark, twigs, and leaves of the tree. Keep this in mind when we start talking about Ravensara in a bit.

Just as we have a unique chemical composition for Japan and China, the same holds true with Madagascar. The tree was imported by the Franch back around 1666, likely brought in by ships of the French East India Company. The tree responded well to the soil and moisture of the island and thrived. Its name is derived from the Malagasy words meaning “good leaves,” or “leaves that are good for you.” Those words in the Malagasy language are ravina “leaf,” and tsara “good.”

So, to sum up where we are at so far, Ravintsara is a member of the Laurel family, a cousin to Cinnamon and Cassia, and is known by the names Camphor, Hō Wood, and Ravintsara. The oil is usually distilled from bark, limbs, and leaves, and the three main derivatives each have a unique chemical composition.

Ravensara, the Spicier Plant

Let’s now take a look at Ravensara. I won’t go in depth as to the meaning of the name in Malagasy. This plant is native, or indigenous to Madagascar. Because of confusion between the native plant and the imported plant, Ravensara has had several Latin names. The oldest is Ravensara aromatica. Then came Agathophylum aeromaticum. Boy, doesn’t that just roll off your tongue? The newest name is Cryptocarya agathophylia. Not much better, I agree. However, the key idea here is that this plant is a different family of plant altogether from the imported tree.

Madagascar forest

Madagascar. Wow, what a place. Scientists speculate it is one of the few remaining relatively unspoiled pieces of Gondwana, based on its unique biodiversity of plants and animals, and is sometimes called a “continent in miniature” due to its biodiversity. This special island is one of three biodiverse hot-spots on the world, and the one at the most risk. The case between Ravensara and Ravitsara highlights this risk. Ravensara is indigenous to Tasmania and Australia as well. The research so far into this plant is still very poor, so it is unknown what differences of oil properties trees in these other locations may have. Some researchers suspect that there is a high likelihood of different species, just as is the case with Camphor/Hō Wood. Some studies have indicated that there may be at least thirty varieties of Ravensara in Madagascar alone! These trees grow to roughly sixty feet (20 meters) and thrive on the east side of the island. One of the primary components of Ravensara aromatica is the molecule linalool, which helps our bodies relax.

It was mentioned earlier that Camphor/Hō Wood is high in eucalyptol. Not so with Ravensara. In addition to its primary component of linalool, a secondary component is estragole (methyl chavicol for those of you who love chemistry). Ravensara’s aroma is fainter than the imported plant, with a scent that combines spice, herbal, and citrus with a tang of licorice. In fact, fennel is a distant cousin of Ravensara.

Remember when we spoke of distilling the Ravintsara, how the oil was obtained by distilling bark, twigs, and leaves? That doesn’t work with Ravensara. Estragole can be dangerous in high doses, even to the point of being carcinogenic at the higher levels. The primary source of the estragole comes from the bark of the tree. While the leaves do have this molecule as well, it is a much lower concentration. Estragole is found in other essential oils, such as Basil, Tarragon, Fennel, and Marjoram. Much of the concern where estragole is concerned focuses on turpentine, a solvent distilled from the resin and bark of trees. Turpentine is typically used to thin oil-based paints and to create varnishes.  

Sustaining the Farmers and Harvesters of Ravintsara and Ravensara

Both plants have been used traditionally for similar reasons. Many people would chew the leaves directly or brew them as a tea. Their use covers much of the east, from China down to Australia, and west to India. (2) The camphor plants with high eucalyptol levels have found extensive use in perfumes, cosmetics, food and beverages, and soaps. (3) Because of the misidentification in the world marketplaces concerning Ravintsara and Ravensara, the oil exportation of the latter has been low. Ravensara is a distinct and unique product of Madagascar. (4) This uniqueness leads to other concerns, however, which also involve Ravintsara as well. Madagascar’s agricultural economy is driven by small-scale farmers and harvesters who play significant roles in ensuring quality and sustainability of the products raised on the island. (5)

One of the Ravintsara fields

Co-Impact Sourcing is working with people in Madagascar to produce the Ravintsara oil. Henristique, one of the sourcing partners, provides some insight into the production system there. His farm encompasses over 44,000 trees spread over three separate growing fields. Most of the people working on his farm are women, as the men are usually busy tending and raising livestock. The women strip leaves from the branches into large sacks. When the sacks are full, the women balance their harvest on their head and take it to the distillery. These women are paid immediately once their bags are weighed. The farm makes a focused effort on sustainability. Henristique states that they have 400 acres of acacia tree being cultivated. These trees grow quickly and can be harvested for firewood to heat the boilers in the distillery. He adds that their main source of fertilizer comes from neighboring farms. “Everyone wins with this scenario,” he says with a smile. “We get cheap fertilizer, and they get an additional income stream where there was not one before.” (6) Even the distilled biomass is reused. The leaves get scattered as compost for other plants on the farm. Insects are dealt with naturally, as well. “We’ve hired people to survey the trees regularly and remove insect nests with fire. Using fire has eliminated the need for chemicals and is our “natural insecticide.” (7)

In addition to cultivating farms, like Henrstique’s, Ravintsara is also wild-harvested, whereas the indigenous Ravensara is only wild-harvested at the present time. Additional challenges which need to be overcome include the limited access to advanced processing technologies, increasing local expertise in differentiating between plants which can be very similar, dealing with fluctuating prices, and raising local awareness of the importance of sustaining their natural resources. (8) Thankfully, these are areas that Co-Impact Sourcing is well-equipped to address. From creating local co-operatives of farmers and harvesters, to investing in education and modern distilleries, Co-Impact Sourcing helps provide assistance as these farmers and harvesters work to become self-sufficient.

dōTERRA’s Breathe Blend Supports Healthy Breathing Year-Round

In the long run, these efforts benefit all of us, either through becoming self-reliant on the grower’s side of the bottle, to having powerful and pure oils to enable us as consumers to be able to breathe freely as we use the products. Whether it’s the eucalyptol from the laurel and camphor trees or the linalool boost from the Ravensara aromatica, the Breathe Respiratory Blend certainly lives up to its name.

Breathe Easy Combo

In the long run, these efforts benefit all of us, either through becoming self-reliant on the grower’s side of the bottle, to having powerful and pure oils to enable us as consumers to be able to breathe freely as we use the products. Whether it’s the eucalyptol from the laurel and camphor trees or the linalool boost from the Ravensara aromatica, the Breathe Respiratory Blend certainly lives up to its name.

I hope you will try the Breathe oil. You may also want to check out Breathe Touch, the Breathe Respiratory Drops, small lozenges, and the Breathe Vapor Stick which also support a healthy respiratory system. I also hope you will join us next time, here on Harvesters’ Corner, when we will take a look at Melaleuca Oil, which is also known as Tea Tree Oil. Until then, stay safe!

Sources

1)   Tokyo Naturalist. “Cinnamomum camphora: Camphor Tree.” 2 June 2021. Online. < https://www.tokyonaturalist.com/post/cinnamomum-camphora-camphor-tree>. Accessed 12 January 2025.

2)   Hoch, Petry, et al. “1,8-cineole (eucalyptol): A Versatile Phytochemical with Therapeutic Applications Across Multiple Diseases.” Biomedicine & Pharmacology, #167, 2023. Online. <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37696087/>. Accessed 18 January 2025.

3)   Chandorker, Tambe, et al. “A Systematic and Comprehensive Review on Current Understanding of the Pharmacological Actions, Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications of the Genus Eucalyptus.” Phytomedicine Plus, 2021. Online. <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352773559_A_systematic_and_comprehensive_review_on_current_understanding_of_the_pharmacological_actions_molecular_mechanisms_and_clinical_implications_of_the_genus_Eucalyptus>. Accessed 18 January 2025.

4)   Juliani, Behra, Moharram, et al. “Searching for the Real Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica Sonn.) Essential Oil.” Perfumer and Flavorist. Vol. 30, January/February 2005. https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2016/05/pf.PF_30_01_060_06.pdf.> Accessed 18 January 2025.

5)   Bio-Innovation Africa. “Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora).” Online. <https://www.abs-biotrade.info/ravintsara/>. Accessed 18 January 2025.

6)   doTERRA. “Behind the Bottle: Ravintsara Essential Oil.” YouTube, 2021.

7)   Ibid.

8)   Bio-Innovation Africa. “Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora).”