Ravensara (or Agatophyllum) is a beautiful big tree of the Lauraceae families. It is endemic to Madagascar, which means that it only grows naturally there. It grows on the east coast of the island (ocean side) where it tends to dominate the forest from 30 meters above the ground.
It is very fragrant. Starting with its reddish bark that smells of aniseed. Or its leaves (from which the essential oil is presented here) which odour is characteristic. Or its small greenish flowers which also have their charms in one's nostrils.
The key to recognise it is the shape of its leaves. They are quite rounded on the end and relatively wide. Their shape is, for some, spatula-like (wider at the tip than at the bottom). They participated in the name of the plant: "raven" means leaf and "czar" means good. Its new botanical Latin name "Agatophyllum aromatica" also means the same thing ... in Greek. "Agato" for good and "phylum" for leaf.
Confusion and clarity:
You will find here as a gift explanation to understand a little better (and more easily) what it is all about.
There was much confusion around the aromatic Ravensara. Indeed, Camphor essential oil, when it is distilled in Madagascar from the leaves of camphor tree, tends to be labelled "Ravintsara".
Historically (and botanically and aromatically), it is nevertheless quite clear. Even if some of the best authors (Pénoël, Franchomme etc.) have deceived many in the beginning, they have also made up for their mistake in their new pieces of writing. Their mistake, however, still persists among many writers who tend to always rely on the same old reference book.
The largely effective antiviral on the whole body, is here: the true aromatic Ravensara (leaves) aka Agatophyllum aromatica (foliae) in Latin. The "Ravintsara" also has an antiviral action but is only effective on ENT disorders. Just try : it's clear as a bell, as they say!
Making the difference: It's easy. Just smell the oil.
* The true aromatic Ravensara (leaves) has a distinctive smell of estragon, with a hint of basil and a hint of anise in the background.
* The Camphor Tree from Madagascar (leaves, chemotype 1,8-cineole: Ravintsara) has a typical smell, quite similar to Eucalyptus.
Chemistry corroborates this: in the Camphor Tree from Madagascar (leaves: Ravintsara), there is a majority of 1.8 cineole. While there is almost none in the real Ravensara.
Let's just smell it, we can absolutely not be wrong: it smells like eucalyptus or it doesn't, simply.