Litsea Cubeba (Litsea cubeba) /SD /China/Fruit

Litsea Cubeba: Citrus and fruity fragrance with floral undertones. Also known as May Chang, it is a cinnamon relative from China. It is antidepressant, antiseptic, astringent, insecticide and stimulant. Very uplifting and stimulating. It is a known tonic to the heart and respiratory system. May be helpful in cases of bronchitis and asthma. Could relieve flatulence and nausea.

Used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat indigestion, lower back pain, chills, headaches and travel sickness. Blended into a light carrier oil or in a bath, Litsea is often recommended to treat acne, dermatitis and greasy skin. Please use with extreme caution and very light dilution on broken or troubled skin.

Litsea is useful in treating excessive perspiration, flatulence and indigestion,. Recent research indicates that it may have a use in treating cardiac arrhythmia. It is also an antispasmodic, specifically of the bronchia, and thus can be helpful in treating an asthma attack. I know of one aromatherapist who uses it at the start of a headache.

Litsea is widely used in the perfume and soap industries, providing a lemon-scented base note, often used to "anchor" the scents of the true citrus top notes that are far too fleeting.

According to Kurt Schnaubelt, Litsea is used for calming and as an inflammatory He also states that it is be anti-viral and regenerative. Schnaubelt also recommends it for Herpes (although in my experience Melissa is THE oil for herpes!)

BLENDS WITH: ammi visnaga, palmarosa, and vetiver, as well as the true citrus oils, lavender, chamomile and Frankincense.

WARNING: Litsea should not be used neat as it is both an irritant and a potential sensitizer.

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Color: Yellow

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Medium

The addition of Litsea in your citrus blends will help to anchor the scent. Important in bath and body care products.

Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong

Aromatic Description: Sharp, with a complex lemony aroma.

Possible Uses: Acne, indigestion. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-64.]

Constituents: Citral, limonene, miycrene, methyl hepetone, linalool, linlyl acetate. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 167.]

Safety Information: Avoid with glaucoma. May have a homeone-like action. Avoid in prostatic hyperplasia. Avoid with sensitive, diseased or damaged skin. Do not administer to children. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 149.]

Aromatherapy is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you have a health condition, consult your health care provider. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, consult your health care provider before using any aromatherapy products. Do not take essential oils internally. Keep essential oils and all aromatherapy products out of the reach of children.