May Chang (Litsea Cubeba)

Botanical Name:                   Litsea cubeba
Synonym:                              L. citrate, tropical verbena
Botanical Family:                  Lauraceae
Country of Origin:                 China, Taiwan and Japan
Plant Part:                             Fruit
Extraction Method:               Steam distillation
Characteristics:                    sweet, strong, fruity
Properties:                             
Antidepressant, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, cordial, galactagogue, hypotensive, insecticide, stimulant, tonic
Chemical Constituents:       
α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, limonene, neral, geranial, nerol, geraniol, linalool, linalyl acetate, caryophyllene
 
Indications:
 
Mind & Spirit:                                   
 
	
Uplifting and stimulating
 
Body:                         
 
	
Tonic to the heart and respiratory system 
	
Relieves flatulence, nausea
	
Encourages appetite and is a digestive stimulant 
	
Balancing on oily skin and hair 
	
Helpful with bronchitis and asthma. 
 
Contraindications:                Nil.  May cause some sensitivity in some people.
Note:                                     Top
Odour Intensity:                    5
Blends well with:                  
Basil, bergamot, geranium, ginger, jasmine, lavender, lemon, neroli, orange, petitgrain, rose, rosemary, rosewood, ylang ylang
 
Traditions:                 
May Chang is a small tropical tree which produces small fruit similar to peppers.  Fragrance is similar to lemongrass.  The tree was celebrated in Eastern origin and has only become known in the western world recently.  It is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat painful periods, stomach aches, lower back pain, chills, headaches and muscular aches.  It was also used to treat cancer tumours as it was thought to have carcinostatic qualities.