Ravensara, True ** For Butch, Martin and Other Experts

[Guest guest]

Hi Kat,

 

Not an expert here .. but I have an informed opinion.

 

> Dear group

> I have been doing all kinds of interesting investigations recently

> and across these two perplexing trees, both of which are apparently

> used locally as a herbal remedy in Madagascar. In the West we only

> know an essential oil which has come on the market, and which may be

> sold under either name, though may not always come from the same trees.

 

Not true .. they do not come from the same trees.

 

> There seems to be a lot of confusion as to which tree does what and

> should be used in e.g. aromatherapy and indeed which tree IS what.

 

True it is that there is confusion .. but it is True Ravensara

(Ravensara aromatica) that we should be using in Aromatherapy.

 

> From what I can make out, Ravintsara is a species of Cinnamonum

> camphora, which however has adapted to local conditions while

> Ravensara is Ravensara aromatica.

 

Correct.

 

> Furthermore, there are concerns about the sustainability of harvest,

> in particular with regards to Ravensara aromatica, which may be

> endangered. It is very difficult to get any real information on the

> situation, the harvesting methods and efforts to sustain the tree

> population, or indeed on the purity of the oil.

 

I have no knowledge of the trees being endangered .. but I am sure that

some of the Greenies will be willing to step in and claim that all the

natural resources in the world are endangered .. and they are not

totally wrong in that regard. Man bumps against nature .. on the other

hand, we want to save man from disease, pestilence and war .. and find

ways to increase mankind's longevity .. this will create a situation

where there is more bumping against nature. We ain't gonna get it both

ways.

 

As for the purity of the oil .. a good analyst can tell you whether or

not it has been adulterated .. normal adulteration of Ravensara

aromatica is accomplished by adding 1.8 cineole .. so if the percentage

is off a good analyst should be able to detect it .. I sell the oil and

I have no questions about the purity.

 

> I was wondering if anybody here has any further information about

> these trees and any of the issues I raised here.

 

Just what I have presented above.

 

> Thank you very much, I am looking forward to your responses.

 

Welcome fer'shur.

 

> Best

> Kat

> Sacred Earth

> Educational Forum and Networking Resource

> for Ethnobotany and Ecotravel

> http://www.sacredearth.com

 

Y'all have a gud'un .. and keep smiling. :-)

 

Butch http://www.AV-AT.com

[Guest guest]

Thanks Butch, I have passed it on!

Ien in the Kootenays

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