Litsea Cubeba Oil Questions, Answered Plainly

Litsea cubeba gets a lot of the same questions, which makes sense for an oil that smells like lemon and comes from a tree most people have never met. Here are the ones that come up most, with straight answers.

Litsea Cubeba Essential Oil bottle

Litsea Cubeba Essential Oil

Our own Litsea Cubeba Essential Oil, in sizes from 0.5 oz to bulk.

From $12.99

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What is litsea cubeba oil?

It is an essential oil from Litsea cubeba, a small tree or shrub in the laurel family, also known as May Chang or mountain pepper. The oil is steam-distilled from the fruit (Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the fruits of Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (litsea berry oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl)). Ours is steam-distilled from the fruit and sold neat, with no additives or fillers. Other plant parts can be distilled too and come out different (Chemical composition of essential oils of Litsea cubeba harvested from its distribution areas in China), so it is worth checking which part a label means.

Is it the same as lemon or lemongrass oil?

No. Lemon oil comes from citrus peel and is mostly limonene. Litsea cubeba and lemongrass both lean on citral, but they come from different plants and have different companions in the bottle. See our lemon comparison and lemongrass comparison for the details.

What does it smell like?

We describe it as intense, sweet and lemon-bright, a lemon-drop sparkle with a soft fruity, floral roundness, and we think of it as a top note. If you would like more on scent, this article takes it further.

What does the Certificate of Analysis show?

The one we publish is for batch LICQGCLCCNC003A. It lists the part used (fruit), steam distillation, a best-by date of 04/30/2028, a relative density of 0.883, a refractive index of 1.483 and an optical rotation of +10.04 degrees, with appearance and smell marked "Complies". It does not give a citral or GC-MS figure. If you need one, or any other document for your product, ask us in writing through our contact page before you order and get the answer in writing.

How do I use it on skin?

Dilute it first. Our guidance is 0.5% to 2% in a carrier oil, with a patch test on a small area and a stop at the first irritation. That works out to roughly 3 to 12 drops per ounce of carrier, depending on drop size. We start at the lower end, because the fragrance industry's IFRA Standard: Citral, 2020 (Amendment 49) caps citral at 0.15% in body lotions and creams, and half a percent of this oil already carries about two to three times that (our arithmetic, based on published citral figures of about 66% to 87%). Treat 2% as a ceiling for trials, not a target. Anyone with sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy should speak to a dermatologist first. More in our skin basics article.

Can I use it in candles, soap or sprays?

Many makers do, and it is a lovely lemon-bright scent for home projects. The citral cap works out differently by product type: candles sit in a category with no citral restriction, while bar soap and household sprays are capped at 1.2% citral. We do not sell wax, lye, bases, wicks or bottles, so you will find those at a craft or soap-supply shop. Our IFRA article shows how to do the sums.

Is it safe to swallow, or around children, pregnancy and pets?

Our oil is an external cosmetic oil, not for internal use, and we keep it away from eyes, children and pets. If anyone swallows it, call poison control straight away (in the US, 1-800-222-1222, free and open around the clock, as described by Essential oils: Poisonous when misused | Poison Control). For pregnancy, children and pets, read what the authorities say in our articles on pregnancy and children and pets, and ask your doctor, midwife or veterinarian about your own situation.

How long does it keep?

We say typically 1 to 2 years, tightly capped in a cool, dark place. For larger containers we suggest decanting working amounts into smaller airtight bottles so the main supply stays sealed. Our storage article has the thinking behind that.

Do you sell it in bulk, or with private label?

Yes. Sizes run from 0.5 oz up to 400 lb, and every size comes from the same standard. Our wholesale page offers sample bottles so you can try the oil in your own product before committing to volume, as well as a consultation form for private label and custom needs.

Have a question we have not covered? Send it through the contact page and we will happily take a look.

Litsea Cubeba Essential Oil bottle

Litsea Cubeba Essential Oil

Litsea Cubeba Essential Oil from our own shop, in sizes from 0.5 oz to bulk.

From $12.99

Shop Now →

Sources & Further Reading