May Chang Essential Olie

What is May Chang Essential Oil?

May Chang Essential Oil has an intensely fresh, lemony aroma with a slight fruity nuance. The scent is long-lasting and distinctly citrus, and is often used in perfumes and air fresheners where the citrus whiff should not evaporate 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 peppery 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 such as bergamot, mandarin and pink grapefruit, with floral oils such as lavender and geranium, and with woody oils such as cedarwood and sandalwood. A versatile top note in perfume and aromatherapy.

How is May Chang Essential Oil made?

May Chang is extracted by steam distillation of the small, peppery 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 a citrus peel, the oil does not contain furocoumarins and is therefore not phototoxic. However, the oil is powerful and requires careful dosing due to its high citral content.

Benefits of May Chang Essential Oil

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

Has an uplifting and energetic effect
May Chang's fresh aroma has an invigorating effect on the mind and is appreciated in morning rituals, focus blends and sports massage oils.

Non-phototoxic
Unlike many citrus oils, May Chang is not phototoxic and can therefore be used in day care without sun restriction, provided that it is within the working dose.

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

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

How to use May Chang Essential Oil?

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

In a diffuser
Put 3 to 5 drops in a aroma diffuser for a lively citrus atmosphere. Combine with Pink Grapefruit in 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 to keep the citrus aroma present for 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 exercise.

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

Tips for 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 on a small area of skin before using the oil for the first time. May Chang can cause irritation with sensitive skin or at high doses.
• Always work with grams and percentages, not drops.

Points of attention and side effects

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

Our practical working dose: 1 percent
For homemade care, 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 accumulate and you can quickly exceed the legal allergen limits. A working dose 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, longer maximums 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 on a small area first and wait 24 hours before using it on larger areas.