Scent Almanac
Litsea Cubeba (May Chang)
Litsea cubeba
Intense, sweet lemon-candy and lemongrass, sharper and more sherbet-like than real lemon. Strong enough to dominate a blend.
- Made from
- Steam-distilled from the small pepper-like fruits of the May Chang tree, mostly in China.
- Strength
- ●●●●○
- Cost
- Budget
- Moods
- UpliftingEnergizingClean
- Seasons
- Spring, Summer
- Rooms
- Kitchen, Bathroom, Laundry
Cautions
- Skin sensitizer — keep low in anything touching skin
- Commonly advised against in pregnancy
Very high in citral, a known skin sensitizer, so keep amounts modest in soap and anything touching skin. Often advised against in pregnancy.
How it behaves
CandlesGood
The citrus EO that actually throws: a fair hot throw in soy and paraffin, and it props up weaker citrus oils in a blend.
Wax meltsGood
Reed diffuserGreat
Room & linen sprayGreat
Electric (water) diffuserGreat
Cold-process soapGood
Sticks far better than lemon; the usual anchor for 'lemon' cold-process soap. Keep it moderate because of its citral content.
Melt-and-pour soapGreat
Laundry & cleaningGreat
Strong enough to carry through homemade detergent and cleaning sprays.
Pairs well with
Sweet Orange
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Lemon
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Grapefruit
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Lavender
Middle · Floral
Essential oil
Ginger
Middle · Spicy
Essential oil
Basil
Top · Herbal
Essential oil
Rosemary
Middle · Herbal
Essential oil
Virginian Cedarwood
Base · Woody
Essential oil
Geranium
Middle · Floral
Essential oil
Eucalyptus
Top · Herbal
Essential oil
Don't have it? Try Lemongrass, Lemon.
In these blends
A little lore
China is the main producer of litsea oil, which is also a major natural source of citral for the flavor and fragrance industry.