Litsea Cubeba
Litsea cubeba

May chang smells like lemon sherbet, brighter and sweeter than lemongrass and less grassy. About three quarters of the oil is citral, split between its two forms. In lab tests it produced unusually large clear zones against Candida, with modelling pointing at citral binding fungal enzymes.[1] Reviews confirm broad activity against food-poisoning bacteria and good cell protection.[2] Citral is a known skin sensitiser, so this is one to keep well diluted.[3]
- Also Known As
- May Chang, Chinese Pepper
- Family
- Citrus
- Perfumery Note
- Top
- Intensity
- Medium
- Extraction
- Steam Distillation
- Plant Parts
- Small fruits
- Origins
- China, Taiwan, Indonesia
- Effect
- Focus & Mental Clarity, Energy & Uplifting
- Aroma
- Citrus, Lemony, Fresh
- Applications
- Diffusing & Inhalation, Perfumery & Fragrance Making, Household & Cleaning
- Price
- $$$$Grown abundantly in China; the small fruits are very dense in oil
References
- [1]Litsea cubeba Essential Oil: Component Analysis, Anti-Candida albicans Activity and Mechanism Based on Molecular Docking - Li H et al. Journal of Oleo Science, 2022
- [2]Litsea cubeba essential oil: Extraction, chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties - Liu Y, Ren H, Li K. Journal of Food Science, 2024
- [3]Investigation of the dermal sensitization potential of various essential oils in the local lymph node assay - Lalko J, Api AM. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2006