Organic Litsea Cubeba Essential Oil

Litsea cubeba, sometimes called ‘may chang’, ‘Chinese pepper’, or ‘mountain pepper’, has beloved traditional uses despite not being extremely common. Relatively localized cultivation zones and close-lipped extraction practices may have kept this oil from becoming as Westernized as others. Among the peoples of its native China, Indonesia, Java, Sumatra, and similar regions, though, this native plant is a favorite effect, flavoring, and scent. More accurately thought of as a spice or pepper, and genealogically related to cinnamon and laurel, litsea cubeba has a fresh, citrus scent described as the finer, sweeter, or spicier version of lemongrass. Its high citral content – up to 85% – is responsible for its citrus association and initial commercial spread as a lemongrass substitute. For years prior, the oil was famous in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and among the Atayal aboriginal peoples of Taiwan. In TCM it was used for pain, digestive problems, backaches, and chills. I