What is May Chang Essential Oil?

May Chang Essential Oil has an intensely fresh, lemon-like aroma with a light fruity nuance. The scent is long-lasting and distinctly citrus, and is often used in perfumes and air fresheners where the citrus note should not fade quickly. The Latin name is Litsea Cubeba, also known as Tropical Verbena. The oil comes from a small tree from Southeast Asia, mainly China, that bears small pepper-like berries from which the oil is extracted.

May Chang naturally contains a high percentage of citral, often 70 to 85 percent, which is responsible for the powerful lemon aroma and pronounced effect. Unlike citrus oils, May Chang does not come from the citrus family but from the laurel family.

May Chang blends beautifully with other citrus oils like bergamot, mandarin and pink grapefruit, with floral oils like lavender and geranium, and with woody oils like cedarwood and sandalwood. A versatile top note in perfume and aromatherapy.

How is May Chang Essential Oil made?

May Chang is obtained through steam distillation of the small, pepper-like fruits of the Litsea Cubeba plant. This process releases the volatile aroma molecules, with citral being the main component.

Because May Chang is not a citrus oil and is not extracted from citrus peel, the oil contains no furocoumarins and is therefore not phototoxic. However, the oil is potent and requires careful dosing due to the high citral content.

Benefits of May Chang Essential Oil

Long-lasting fresh citrus aroma
May Chang has a more intense and longer-lasting lemon aroma than most citrus oils. An ideal choice if you want to extend the citrus note in a blend, especially useful in products and perfumes where citrus evaporates quickly.

Works uplifting and energizing
The fresh aroma of May Chang works invigorating on the mind and is appreciated in morning rituals, focus blends and sports massage oils.

Not phototoxic
Unlike many citrus oils, May Chang is not phototoxic and can therefore be used in day care without sun restriction, provided within the working dosage.

Cheaper alternative for citrus top notes in perfume
May Chang is a popular choice in natural perfumery because it provides a strong and long-lasting citrus aroma at lower costs than many other citrus oils.

Refreshing in air fresheners and cleaning blends
The powerful citrus scent makes May Chang a beloved choice in homemade air fresheners and cleaning products.

How to use May Chang Essential Oil?

Always dilute essential oil in a carrier oil or butter when using on the skin. For homemade care products we recommend a working dosage of 1 percent (1 gram per 100 grams of product). May Chang is a fairly strong oil due to the high citral content, so the 1 percent guideline is extra important to prevent irritation. Read the explanation below for more information. Suitable carriers are for example Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil or Shea Butter.

In a diffuser
Add 3 to 5 drops to an aroma diffuser for a vibrant citrus atmosphere. Combine with Pink Grapefruit and Mandarin for an uplifting morning blend.

In a DIY perfume
May Chang works as a top note or enhancement of existing citrus top notes in perfume blends. The oil helps keep the citrus aroma present longer.

In air fresheners and linen spray
The powerful citrus scent makes May Chang ideal for homemade air fresheners and linen spray. Combine with a solvent and water for a simple spray.

In a sports or energy massage oil
Combine May Chang with peppermint or rosemary in a carrier oil for an invigorating massage oil after sports.

In cleaning blends
The degreasing citrus effect makes May Chang a nice addition to homemade cleaning products.

Tips when using May Chang Essential Oil

• Store the oil in a cool, dark place. Citral-rich oils oxidize faster than other essential oils, so proper storage is important.
• Always close the bottle tightly after use.
• Test first on a small piece of skin before using the oil for the first time. May Chang can cause irritation with sensitive skin or at high dosages.
• Always work with grams and percentages, not with drops.

Precautions and side effects

May Chang Essential Oil is not phototoxic and can therefore be used without restriction for sunlight. However, the oil can cause irritation at high dosages or with sensitive skin, especially due to the high citral content. Always use diluted, never pure on the skin.

Our practical working dosage: 1 percent
For homemade care products we recommend a dosage of 1 percent (1 gram per 100 grams of product). May Chang naturally contains allergens such as citral, citronellol and geraniol. When you combine multiple essential oils in one recipe, these allergens stack up and you can quickly exceed the legal allergen limits. A working dosage of 1 percent gives you the space to use multiple oils in one recipe without going over those limits.

For products that you rinse off, such as soap, shower gel or shampoo, more generous maxima apply because the oil does not remain on the skin.

Not recommended for use during pregnancy without consultation with an expert. Keep out of reach of children. When in doubt or with sensitive skin, always test first on a small spot and wait 24 hours before using on larger surfaces.