May Chang is an evergreen tree or shrub 5–12 meters high in the Lauraceae family. It is native to China, Indonesia, Taiwan and other parts of Southeast Asia. It is called ‘mountain pepper’ in Mandarin and macaw by the Atayal aborigines in Taiwan. As a famous spice among Taiwanese aborigines, a proposed National Park at Yilan County is named "Macao" after the spice. It produces a fruit which is processed for its lemony essential oil. The oil can also be extracted from the leaf, but this is considered to be lower in quality. The timber is sometimes used for making furniture and crafts. Plant parts are also used in medicine.

The oil is used as a fragrance (especially in bar soap) and for flavoring in its own right. It is also used as a raw material by the chemical industry for the synthesis of vitamin A and violet-like fragrances.

May Chang is most valued for its calming and anti- inflammatory properties. Other therapeutic uses often found with litsea cubeba include as an astringent, antiseptic, insecticide, hypertensive, stimulant and tonic.

Litsea Cubeba is the botanical name for May Chang a tree belonging to the Lauraceae family. The tree bears whitish-yellowish flowers that have a characteristic citrusy fragrance and fruits that resemble peppers (that’s where the word ‘cubeb’ comes from). The essential oil is extracted from the ripened and dried fruits of the Litsea Cubeba tree.

Also known as ‘Mountain Pepper’ or ‘Chinese Pepper’, the plant is native to south China, Indonesia, Java, Sumatra and other regions of Southeast Asia. It is widely cultivated in Japan and Taiwan for its commercial uses although China remains the largest producer and exporter of the oil. The scent of Litsea Cubeba oil can be compared to Lemongrass, although the former is often described as “finer” and “sweeter” than the latter.

Benefit & Uses: Litsea Cubeba Oil is obtained from the small pepper like fruits of the tree. This is a refreshing, uplifting and stimulating essential oil with antiseptic, carminative and healing properties.

Litsea Cubeba Essential Oil benefits and uses include the use as an antiseptic in skin care, particularly to treat acne. It is frequently added to body care products adding a pleasant, uplifting, lemon-like aroma. It is considered to be uplifting, relaxing, and helps to promote sleep. It is used in the support of digestion and reducing flatulence.

Litsea Cubeba Oil should be diluted prior to use to minimize skin irritation. It can be used to give a relaxing massage and the scent will open up bronchial passages making it easier to breath. This will be noticed more by people with breathing problems. It can be inhaled or used in a diffuser undiluted to give a feeling of calmness. It can also be added to soap, or throat medicine used for gargling, thus making use of its natural antiseptic bodies.

Litsea Cubeba is widely used in the perfumery and cosmetic industry. Like most citrus oils, its scent is immediately uplifting and rejuvenating, which makes it very useful for combating emotional problems and psychological issues.

From a therapeutic standpoint, Litsea Cubeba is known to possess antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been found effective in fighting away colds and other infections.

The oil is a tonic for the nervous system and can help with digestive problems as well.

The uses of Litsea Cubeba are not limited to health and wellness. This fabulous oil makes for an excellent skin tonic and can be used all over the house as a natural, organic cleansing agent.

Litsea Cubeba’s antibacterial and antiviral properties make it effective against common infections like cold and cough. Simply pop a few drops into a vaporizer to keep any respiratory problems at bay. Litsea Cubeba is also very useful in treating infectious skin conditions such as Athlete’s Foot because of its pronounced anti-fungal action.