May Chang

Litsea cubeba

Other Names : Litsea Cubeba, Mountain Pepper, Chinese Pepper.

Special Precautions of May Chang

Tisserand and Young caution that a drug interaction may occur if using drugs metabolized by CYP2B6 and that there is a risk of teratogenicity. They precaution against topical use in children and infants under age 2 and for those with hypersensitive/diseased/damaged skin. They recommend a dermal maximum of 0.8%. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended.

Health Benefits and uses of May Chang are

Litsea Cubeba is known to possess antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been found effective in fighting away colds and other infections.

• Fighting Infections : Litsea Cubeba’s antibacterial and antiviral properties make it effective against common infections like cold and cough. Simply pop a few drops into a vaporizer to keep any respiratory problems at bay. Litsea Cubeba is also very useful in treating infectious skin conditions such as Athlete’s Foot because of its pronounced antifungal action.
• Acne : If you have oily skin that is prone to acne and breakouts, Litsea Cubeba may be just what you need. While its gentle astringent properties work to cleanse your pores, its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action minimizes and heals existing flare-ups. Mix 7 drops of Litsea Cubeba in a 1 Oz bottle of Jojoba Oil and dab it all over your face twice a day.
• indigestion : Litsea Cubeba is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to help with indigestion and flatulence. It is known to have a stimulant action on the digestive system and can be useful for those with poor appetite.
• Body odor : Litsea Cubeba has the ability to control excessive perspiration and check bacterial growth that leads to unpleasant body odor. Just pour a few drops of the essential oil into your regular body lotion and turn it into a fragrant deodorant.
• Emotional Wellbeing : Just like it is cleansing for the body, Litsea Cubeba is also cleansing for the soul. Scientific studies have proven that Litsea Cubeba can help control arrhythmia (which is a common sign of stress and anxiety) and induce relaxation. Its enticing scent soothes the nervous system and helps us express our emotions in a more constructive manner. Litsea Cubeba is the perfect antidote for seasonal blues, stress, anger and irritability. It helps get rid of negative emotions and promotes relaxation, mental clarity and restful sleep. Use it in a diffuser, bath or massage oil to liven up your day.
• Lung Cancer : a recent study published in PLoS One Journal suggests that vapors from Litsea Cubeba essential oil may be able to kill and arrest the growth of lung cancer cells.

References

• Tisserand R, Blacs T.. May Chang. The International Journal of Aromatherapy 1992; 4 (3) 25-27.
• Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-64.
• Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 349-350.