27 Dec. 2018

Madagascar is renowned for its botanical wealth, with a significant portion of its flora being endemic to the island. Scientists are progressively discovering new species and researching those with potential applications in traditional and modern pharmacology.

The world is gradually discovering the extraordinary medicinal plants endemic to Madagascar, particularly through their essential oils. The most renowned are ravintsara, katrafay, and iary essential oils! Many travelers take advantage of their stay in Madagascar to bring these precious oils home with them.

Ravintsara and Ravensara Essential Oils

Ravensara aromatica, known as "havozo" in Malagasy, is a plant endemic to Madagascar with highly fragrant fruits. This is a bushy tree with reddish bark, measuring 18 to 20 meters in height. Extracted from the leaves, Ravensara aromatica essential oil possesses antispasmodic, anti-stress, tonic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, and antiviral properties. This essential oil is characterized by a slightly anise and pepper-like aroma. It is indicated for rheumatic pain, joint discomfort, headaches, migraines, flu and viral infections, acne, skin infections, fatigue, stress, and nervousness.

Ravensara aromatica should not be confused with "ravintsara," a camphor tree from China introduced to Madagascar between the 16th and 17th centuries. The tree subsequently adapted to the local environment and developed specific qualities by eliminating much of its camphor content. Ravintsara essential oil is therefore unique to Madagascar. It contains 50% eucalyptol, compared to 4% in ravensara. It is widely used in France for its recognized effectiveness as an antiviral agent.

Katrafay Essential Oil

"Katrafay" is another plant found exclusively in Madagascar and widely used in traditional medicine. This tree, measuring 12 to 15 meters (from the Ptaeroxylaceae family), is particularly abundant in the spiny forests of the South and the dry forests of the West of Madagascar. Its wood is extremely solid and resistant to fungi. Its grayish, rough bark releases a very distinctive and pleasant aroma that is captured in the essential oil.

Extracted from the bark, katrafay essential oil is used to combat respiratory and intestinal infections, rheumatism, headaches, fatigue, and even diabetes. In traditional herbal medicine, katrafay is considered a powerful aphrodisiac and is also used as a vermifuge, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and healing agent. It is a miraculous remedy. For traditional preparation, it is boiled before consumption. As a massage oil, it is also remarkably effective!

Iary Essential Oil

Iary, commonly called "dingadingana," is an endemic shrub of Madagascar that grows on the highlands. It is among the medicinal plants most frequently used in the daily lives of Malagasy people. Before the urbanization of Antananarivo, dingadingana plants with lanceolate leaves were seen everywhere, invaded by beetles in October/November, at the onset of the rainy season. Psiadia altissima is used by locals as a skincare treatment. Iary essential oil is extracted from the flowering tops of the plant through complete distillation.

This oil, ranging from colorless to pale yellow in appearance, releases a resinous aroma that is both woody and fresh. Regarding its properties, iary essential oil is anti-edematous, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, decongestant, expectorant, lymphotonic, energizing, and insect-repellent. It is indicated for relieving joint and muscle pain, as well as swollen or heavy legs.

Fauna and Flora Charlène Nomadays

An SEO copywriter from Nomadays' inception, Charlène has evolved into content manager and head of communications, accompanying the adventure with passion and dedication. After seven years living across Asia—from China to Thailand, passing through Mongolia and South Korea—she has made travel a way of being in the world. A lover of words, nature, and human connection, she endeavors to convey through her writing a sensitive, engaged, and responsible vision of tourism. For her, each article is a bridge between curiosity, respect, and wonder.