Litsea Cubeba (May Chang) Essential oil, China

Litsea Cubeba (May Chang) 100% Pure Essential oil, China
Botanical Name:  Litsea cubeba
Origin:          China
Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled
Parts used:      Fruit
Color:           Yellow to Orange 
Perfumery Note:  Top             
Consistency:     Thin
Aromatic Description: Lemony, Slightly Sweeter Lemongrass like aroma
Blends well with: Most citrus oils especially Orange, Lemon and Grapefruit. Also Basil, Bay, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Coriander, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium, Ginger, Juniper, Lavender, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Rose, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Tea Tree, Thyme, Vetiver, Vitex and Ylang Ylang
Initial Strength:   Medium
Class:  Aldehyde
          Litsea Cubeba has a long history in traditional medicine and goes by several different names. It commonly goes by the name May Chang and sometimes Chinese spice or mountain pepper. The tree is from the Lauraceae family and grows all over Asia. It is usually about 5 to 8 meters tall with yellow to white flowers with small pepper like fruits. The fruits have been used for centuries but have only been distilled for the essential oil for about the last 60 years. 
          The aroma of the dried fruits is similar to lemongrass. It has good citral content with more citrus notes but missing most of the harsh perfumery notes Lemongrass has. Many people feel this gives Litsea cubeba fruit a more pleasant aroma. Oil may be extracted from other parts of the tree such as leaves, stems, flowers, bark and roots but it does not have the same fresh aroma of the fruit.
          Traditionally Litsea cubeba has been used to treat back aches, muscle aches, painful menstruation, chills and headaches. It is reputed to relieve asthma and reduce high blood pressure. Litsea cubeba has been used to treat coronary heart disease and reduce heart arrhythmia. 
          Litsea cubeba has a mild stimulating and uplifting effect. The fresh aroma is considered to be a soothing to the nervous system to relieve stress and anxiety which can lead to depression
          It has a strong antiseptic, antiviral and antifungal quality. It is commonly used for acne. It works well diffused or in a vaporizer to help the respiratory system and slow the spread of virus during cold and flu season. A little Tea Tree oil will increase these qualities, especially the antifungal ability. It can reduce the risk of athletes’ foot fungus and help keep bathroom areas free from infection and fresh.
          Litsea cubeba is also an effective insect repellent with a more pleasant aroma than most natural or synthetic repellents.
Note: Most essential oils cannot be taken internally, but even when they can, essential oils are highly concentrated and require dilution, special training and caution that Aroma & More does not yet provide. You can never drink any essential oils at 100% strength or diluted in water-based liquids.
Caution: May cause skin sensitivity. Essential oils can be harmful if used improperly. Information is provided for educational purposes only. It is up to the customer to determine if the product is right for their intended purpose. Special consideration should be made before applying essential oils to pregnant women, children or the elderly. If under a doctor's care, please consult the physician before using essential oils. If applying to skin essential oils must be diluted correctly and Aroma & More recommends testing on a small area of skin to check for reaction before attempting a full body massage.