For Butch, Martin and other experts: Ravinsara question

[Guest guest]

The following question was posted

by the moderator of the group for ethno.

Any knowledge Butch and other experts wish

to share will be appreciated.

 

Dear group

I have been doing all kinds of interesting investigations recently and came

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. 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. 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.

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 was wondering if anybody here has any further

information about these trees and any of the issues I raised here.

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

Best

Kat

 

 

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