Description
Botanical name: Litsea cubeba.
Country of origin: USA.
Family: Lauraceae.
Method of extraction: distillation.
Plant part: fruit.
Colour: light yellow.
Consistency: watery.
Perfumery note: top.
Scent: fresh, citrusy, light.
Properties: uplifting, refreshing, stimulating.
Ingredients (INCI): Litsea cubeba Fruit Oil, Citral**, Limonene**, Linalool**.
**: component of natural essential oil.
Major constituents: May chang is very rich in citral (up to 85% of the total) with some linalool.
Blends well with: basil, bergamot, clary sage, geranium, ginger, jasmine, lavender, linaloe wood, petitgrain, rose, rosemary, ylang ylang and all citrus oils.
Use
- in diffusers: ideal oil for vaporising or spraying in the house.
- in massage oils to fight anxiety for example.
- as a refreshing bath oil.
- in skincare, May chang is very effective in treating oily skin, acne and spots in general. It also reduces perspiration and is a very good deodorant.
Certification
100% natural essential oil (USDA certification).
VEGAN.
Product type | Essential oils |
Therapeutic effect | Energising |
Brand | Alteya Organics |
Scent | Fresh, citrus-like |
Skin concern | Acne (spot) prone |
Certifications | Certified organic |
Country of origin | USA |
Plant Description
The species Litsea cubeba belongs to the Lauraceae family and is also known as Chinese Pepper and Mountain Pepper. It is a small deciduous tree that grows to a height of 5 to 8 m (16-26 ft), with a smooth trunk measuring 6-20 cm (2.5 to 8 in) in diameter. The tree bears white or pale yellow, lemon-scented flowers, and small fruits which are similar in shape to small peppers, from which the word ‘cubeb’ is derived.
Measuring between 4 to 6 mm in diameter, the aromatic fruits are almost spherical in shape and green in colour, turning red then dark brown upon ripening. When dried, these small fruits look like large, dried black peppers and provide the source of May chang essential oil, although oil can also be extracted from the flowers, branches, bark, roots and leaves too. The essential oil derived from these parts of the plant do not have the same odour as the fruits though.