(Cinnamomum camphora) ct cineole (also known as Camphor Leaf) Traditionally used to support healthy breathing and to ease minor aches and pains and nervous tension.
~ For clarification about the differences between Ravensara and Ravintsara, scroll down ~
Children: Do not apply on or near the face of infants or young children. Please follow the Dilution Chart on the Babies and Children page. See Safety information at the bottom of the page. Inhalation: Diffuse or use a personal Nasal Inhaler. Ho Leaf is considered a "safe" oil and good to use with children who are sick. It's a good choice to diffuse to prevent the spread of germs and illness. Internal: Ho Leaf is suitable for internal use within safe parameters if such use is deemed appropriate. We feel that internal use is rarely *needed* and should only be used with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. In our experience, essential oils are generally more effective used topically with proper dilution or inhaled. Kurt Schnaubelt Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much. Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils. It is not a matter of using "French" or "British" methods, it's a matter of experience and appropriate application. Click here for more information about internal usage.
4. I have read that Ho Leaf can be an issue for little ones (an ingredient in Lung Healing), although we used it on my 4-year-old granddaughter (diluted of course) when she was in the hospital with viral pnemonia. She had been in for 5 days and they could not keep her O2 sats above 90. Two hours after using Ho Leaf, her O2 sats started rising and never went down again. It was pretty dramatic. She is not a typical child, as she has a genetic disease that makes her more prone to many problems. That being said she was 4 years old. We applied it on her feet. At the time we had not heard that it "should not" be used on small children. My daughter (who is a pediatric nurse) continued to use it every 3 hours or so, applying just a swipe on the feet, and my granddaughter continued to improve. The hospital had not changed anything; she was not on an antibiotic as it was viral. The only change was the Ho Leaf. Anecdotal testimony, but pretty compelling. [HEO's Comment: The caution with Ho Leaf is that the 1,8-cineole constituent can cause breathing issues if applied on or near the face of a young child. When appropriately diluted and not applied on or near the face, it is an excellent choice. Sometimes, you have to balance risk with benefit, and in this situation, the Lord blessed the decision to use it. ] - Mary Anne Let’s Settle the Confusion: RaVENsara or RaVINTsara? Many years of teaching and literature written about Ravensara have actually served to heap confusion on the distinctions between Ravensara and Ravintsara. In many cases, when one speaker or author spoke or wrote about Ravensara, they were actually referring to Ravintsara. These are well respected people who have mistakenly believed that the oil they referred to and sold as Ravensara was truly Ravensara, where instead it was Ravintsara. Therefore, be aware that many books and testimonials online about Ravensara are really about Ravintsara! “Cinnamomum camphora [Ravintsara] from Formosa is also confusingly called “ravensara” by oil sellers, and even worse, is often incorrectly described as Ravensara aromatica . . . As the plant has become adapted to the Malagasy climate, it has lost the ability to produce camphor, and the oil is mainly composed of sabinene (13-15%) and over 50% of 1,8-cineol. (International Journal of Aromatherapy Vol 11. Number 1, edited by Robert Harris) The confusion is easily remedied once these oils are tested by a reputable chemist. Both of these oils we sell are organically grown and GC/MS analyzed so there is no doubt that what we sell as Ravensara and Ravintsara (Ho Leaf) will live up to their names. Ravensara - high in limonene, delta 3-carene and sabinene (monoterpenes that support immune response, are anti-inflammatory and analgesic), making it the preferred choice for shingles, herpes and other viral issues. Ravensara is one of the most powerful anti-viral oils and has been used by our family and friends blended with Tamanu oil to ease the pain and inflammation of shingles and all forms of herpes. Ravensara is mild and suitable for children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. Aromatherapist, Valerie Worwood includes Ravensara in the basic care kit for children.Kurt Schnaubelt mentions the effectiveness of Ravensara for shingles in Medical Aromatheapy. Ravintsara (Ho Leaf) - high 1,8-cineole making it similar to Eucalyptus Globulus, having respiratory and immune-boosting properties. Ravintsara contains at least 45% 1,8-cineole rather than the 5% found in Ravensara aromatica. Kurt Schnaubelt mentions the effectiveness of Ravintsara for shingles in The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils.
