Litsea cubeba, a tree native to China and Southeast Asia, produces an essential oil with a sweet citrus scent. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is now used in a variety of products, including skin toners, insect repellent, and aromatherapy. It has also been shown to have potential health benefits, but may cause skin irritation and sensitivity to the sun in some users.
Litsea cubeba, also known as May Chang, is a member of the Lauraceae family. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree that grows 16-26 ft (4.9-7.9 m) tall. This plant is best known for the pleasant citrus aroma emitted by its leaves, flowers, and fruits. It is quite similar in fragrance to lemongrass, but it smells even sweeter. The flowers are light yellow or white in color and the small fruit resembles pepper. Although Litsea cubeba essential oil can be extracted in small amounts from the leaves, the majority comes from the fruit.
Native to China, Litsea cubeba is also found in Southeast Asia, including Taiwan and Indonesia. Although it grows wild in Indonesia, it is cultivated and harvested for its oil in China. Litsea cubeba essential oil has been used in traditional Chinese medicine practices for thousands of years; however, it was not available in Western countries until the 1950s. Once it was introduced to the West, it was used primarily as a fragrance in soaps, perfumes, and other scent-based products.
Litsea cubeba essential oil is light yellow in color and translucent. It is used in countless products besides soaps and detergents. For example, it is often found in skin toners or astringents because its citrus properties work to prevent acne. It has also been successful in repelling insects; consequently, it is a common ingredient in insect repellent. Many people enjoy its aromatherapy uses and place Litsea cubeba oil in a diffuser to lighten and energize the air.
Traditional Chinese doctors use litsea cubeba oil in inhalers for people with asthma and people with bronchitis because it helps to dilate the bronchial tubes. Some practitioners use it to treat fatigue, back pain, headaches, muscle pain, depression, and anxiety. It is also believed to stop the growth of cancerous tumors. Additionally, modern research has shown that it works to regulate heart arrhythmias.
Although Litsea cubeba is considered a safe essential oil, there may be some negative side effects for some users. The most common side effect is skin irritation for people with extremely sensitive skin. Also, some people experience hypersensitivity to the sun when using a product with this oil as an ingredient. Consequently, prolonged exposure to the sun should be avoided. Also, people with glaucoma should not use the oil, as it can increase intraocular pressure.
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