Litsea Cubeba Oil, also known as May Chang Oil, is an essential oil derived from the fruit of the Litsea Cubeba tree. With a distinct citrus-like aroma and a rich composition of natural compounds such as geranial and neral, this essential oil is widely recognized for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. It is usually used in cosmetics, aromatherapy, and the food industry. Litsea cubeba oil offers numerous benefits ranging from skincare solutions to food preservation, etc. However, proper precautions must be taken to ensure safe usage due to its potential skin irritants and environmental impact. In this blog, we explore the composition, applications, and safety of Litsea Cubeba Oil. 

A Brief Definition of Litsea Cubeba Oil 

Litsea Cubeba Oil is extracted from the fruit of the Litsea Cubeba tree, also known as May Chang. This is an evergreen tree or shrub, growing from 5 to 12 meters in height, belonging to the Lauraceae family. Litsea Cubeba is widely cultivated in China and Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, it grows naturally in high-altitude forests with cold climates such as Lai Chau, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, etc. The fruit of litsea cubeba is round or oval-shaped and green in color. The optimal time for harvesting the fruit and producing essential oil is from July to September, after which they are cleaned and steam-distilled to extract the essential oil. Litsea Cubeba Oil has color from pale yellow to dark yellow and has a fresh, citral-like, and lemon-like aroma. Typically, the essential oil content in the fruit of Litsea cubeba from Vietnam ranges from 3.1% to 4.6%. The essential oil content in Litsea cubeba fruit depends on its ripeness, with optimally ripe fruits containing higher oil content than unripe or overripe ones. Additionally, it is influenced by climatic conditions and harvest timing. 

Composition and Properties of Litsea Cubeba Oil 

Main Components 

The main components in Litsea Cubeba oil collected from Vietnam are geranial (38-45%) and neral (25-33%), which constitute the majority of the identified compounds in Litsea Cubeba fruit oil. In addition to components such as geranial and neral, Litsea cubeba oil also contains small amounts of compounds such as linalool, 2-methyl-2-heptene-6-one, etc. 

Notable Properties

• Antioxidant: The antioxidant potential of essential oil may depend on its chemical composition and the proportion of its major compounds. Therefore, compounds such as neral and geranial are related to the antioxidant capacity of Litsea cubeba oil. A review article suggests that ascorbic acid and synthetic compounds such as butylated hydroxytoluene and propyl gallate exhibit weaker radical scavenging activity than hydroxyls from Litsea Cubeba oil. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings. 
• Antibacterial: The composition of compounds in the essential oil from each part of the Litsea cubeba plant varies, leading to differences in their antibacterial properties. Litsea cubeba essential oil has been shown to exhibit varying levels of antibacterial activity, demonstrating antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and other pathogens. 
• Antifungal: Litsea Cubeba essential oil also demonstrated antifungal properties against fungi such as Fusarium sacchari, Fusarium proliferatum, and Fusarium subglutinans, etc. It disrupts membrane integrity and permeability, indicating its potential for antifungal applications in food preservation and disease control. 

Applications of Litsea Cubeba Oil 

• In Cosmetics & Personal Care: Due to its refreshing fragrance and antifungal properties, Litsea Cubeba oil is widely used in soaps and skincare products for psoriasis, eczema, and acne. When blended with camphor oil, peppermint oil, and carrier oil, it forms a massage oil mixture that helps relieve pain in joints, shoulders, calves, and arms. 
• In Aromatherapy: The antibacterial and antioxidant properties of Litsea Cubeba essential oil help prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria. in addition, it is commonly used in diffusers to enhance mood, reduce confusion, and alleviate cognitive-related symptoms. 
• In the Food & Flavoring Industry: Due to its antibacterial properties, Litsea Cubeba essential oil is applied in food preservation and beverages. It is also used in the production of biodegradable food packaging, creating antimicrobial packaging materials to improve food safety. In addition, its high citral content makes it a valuable ingredient in perfumes, enhancing fragrance diversity.

Side Effects and Cautions When Using Litsea Cubeba Oil 

Litsea Cubeba essential oil poses certain health and environmental risks and should be handled with care. This essential oil is classified as a highly flammable liquid (Category 4) and may ignite upon contact with heat or open flames. Additionally, it can cause skin irritation (Category 2) and may trigger allergic reactions upon contact (H317). Prolonged exposure to Litsea Cubeba Oil is suspected to cause genetic mutations (H341) and cancer (H351). Furthermore, litsea cubeba oil is hazardous to aquatic organisms (H411) and may have long-term environmental impacts.  

Reminders  

To use Litsea Cubeba essential oil safely, precautionary measures should be followed. Users should avoid direct skin contact and wear protective equipment such as gloves and masks when handling the litsea cubeba oil. If the essential oil encounters the skin, it should be washed immediately with soap and water. If it enters the eyes, rinse thoroughly with clean water and seek medical attention if irritation persists. When used in industrial or manufacturing settings, workspaces should have proper ventilation to minimize inhalation risks. Additionally, the oil should be stored in sealed containers away from heat sources or open flames. Lastly, waste disposal should comply with international and local chemical waste regulations to prevent environmental harm.   

At ASI, we offer Litsea Cubeba fruit oil. Learn more here: Litsea Cubeba Oil

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Litsea Cubeba Oil is a versatile essential oil with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, widely used in cosmetics, aromatherapy, and food preservation. While it offers many benefits, proper handling is vital to avoid health harm and environmental risks. By understanding its composition, application, and safety, users can use it safely and maximize the benefits of this natural oil. 

Asia Specialty Ingredients (ASI), part of Asia Ingredients Group (AIG), specializes in the production and global export of essential oils and natural aromatics. Our range of products is meticulously processed using only the finest natural ingredients sourced from the typical lands of Vietnam, including Cassia, Basil, Star Anise, Litsea Cubeba and more, ensuring good product quality. Contact us for more collaboration opportunity!